March 28, 2025

Drexel University's Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is excited to announce the 7th Annual Garbage Gala, to be held on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The event will take place at the Academy of Natural Sciences, in partnership with the Academy to celebrate an evening of innovative design and sustainability.

The Garbage Gala transforms the museum into a dynamic runway where student designers present unique, fashion-forward garments crafted from recycled and repurposed materials. These stunning creations, born from discarded and forgotten items, will be displayed against the striking backdrop of the Academy's dinosaurs and wildlife dioramas, providing a one-of-a-kind setting for the runway show.

This year, the Garbage Gala will feature first-year students in Westphal's Design Foundations course, hailing from various disciplines across the College. For one month, these talented designers have worked with found materials to create garments that showcase the fusion of creativity and sustainability. The event not only highlights the students' craftsmanship but also emphasizes the importance of sustainable practices in the world of fashion.

The evening's festivities will also include thrift shopping provided by Now and Then Marketplace and a viewing of The Ecology of Fashion, the first-ever co-created exhibition by Drexel’s Westphal College and the Academy of Natural Sciences.

The Garbage Gala is more than just a fashion show; it is a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and environmental consciousness. By reimagining materials that would otherwise end up in landfills, the students demonstrate their design talents and send a powerful message about the future of sustainable fashion.

Save the date now; tickets will be available soon via the Academy of Natural Sciences.