Oliver-based fashion designer Dianne Gibson created a dress out of polluted plastic collected from the ocean. Gibson’s work was showcased at the Bay Centre in Victoria. (Contributed photo)

By Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

An Oliver fashion designer recently returned from showing off her work at a pop-up boutique in Victoria — designs made with plastic pollution from the ocean.

Oliver-based fashion designer Dianne Gibson took part in the project featured at the Bay Centre in downtown Victoria, dubbed an “Eco Boutique,” put on in coordination with Future Oceans, the Victoria International Marina, Natural Talent Alliance and the Ocean Legacy Foundation.

Part of an awareness campaign that is now looking to expand worldwide, Gibson was chosen as one of 10 designers to create a wearable art piece out of polluted plastic taken straight from the ocean.

“They actually sent me a big box, it came right out of their big warehouse, which came out of the ocean. Everything from plastic sandals, cans things like that,” she said.

The event included a fashion show and prominently displayed the work in Victoria at the end of September. The intent was to challenge designers to think about more sustainable fabrics moving forward.

“I was there for 10 days, great response from people coming in to look at the dresses. They were very surprised they were made out of plastic,” Gibson said.

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Event partners are now aiming to expand the project, Gibson said.

“It’s a big project and it has taken two years just to get to this point, but now it’s getting some good support and perfect timing with the focus on the oceans,” Gibson said. “And for manufacturing, ethical manufacturing that’s going to be the next one that is going to be exposed for what it has been doing.”

Ethical manufacturing and up-cycling are two important aspects of design for Gibson. She has been able to make a local Oliver connection to source “off-cuts” or unused, throw-away fabric for her work going forward.

“They are a big landfill issue, so they have passed them on to me, and now I’ve designed a line of clothing called ‘Off-Cuts’ doing ethical manufacturing by using these sustainable plastics,” Gibson said.

Gibson’s feature piece, a corset with the title “Silence of the Fish,” points to the fact that while humans can spin plastic into fashion, fish have less of a choice in the matter.

“A million fish have no choice because they wear it every day,” Gibson said.

Gibson has been able to create an eco-line of clothing out of the off-cut modal and bamboo fabric, creating stylish fashion out of what would otherwise be landfill material.

“We’re smartening up with the way we do things. Up-cycling is the new black,” Gibson laughed.

For more information on Gibson’s work visit www.makerplace.ca.