Students turn waste into fashion at TVET Expo

Students from secondary schools across Guyana turned discarded and recyclable materials into fashion pieces as they competed in the Trash to Fashion Show, one of the featured activities of the TVET Expo & Fair 2026.
The showcase was held on Wednesday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre themed “Recycle. Reinvent. Runway.”
The initiative challenged students to rethink the use of materials commonly regarded as waste while demonstrating how creativity, technical skills and innovation can be applied to fashion design.
Students competed in four categories” Casual Wear (Recycled Chic), Professional/Career Wear, Creative/Avant-Garde, and Cultural/Themed Wear. Participants were required to design and present outfits made from recycled, reused or discarded materials.
In the Casual/Recycled Chic category, Melina Moe of Friendship Secondary School secured first place with her design, “Rise of the Golden Arrowhead.” Quecia Joshph of New Central High School placed second with “Pages in Motion.”
Shaddai Scipio of North Georgetown Secondary School won the Professional/Career Wear category with “Clock It.”
In the Creative/Avant-Garde category, Destiny Hytmiah of Christ Church Secondary School took first place with “Reclaim Royalty,” while Onella Lepps of Buxton Secondary School placed second with “The Delicious Fit.”
North Georgetown Secondary School secured both top positions in the Cultural/Themed Wear category. Tyfeia Torrington won first place with “Ofishka,” while Atarah Hart placed second with “Lokono (Beauty).”
The event also featured guest participant Atiena Chester, who presented “Eco Alliance” in the Cultural category.
Several students received additional recognition for specific elements of their designs.
Moe was awarded Best Overall Design, Most Wearable Design and Best Stage Presence. Hytmiah received awards for Most Creative Outfit, Best Use of Recycled Materials and Best Transformation.
The Educatuion Ministry said the activity is part of efforts to provide students with opportunities to apply their skills through practical and hands-on experiences.
The Trash to Fashion Show also highlighted the role of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in developing skills beyond classroom learning.