Dates for 2026:
- Runway Applications Due on or before Friday, March 20
- Design Review: March 24 – April 9 by appointment
- Rehearsal with Runway Coach: April 17 4:00 - 9/9:30 pm (Mandatory Rehearsal)
- Runway Show date/time: April 18: 1:30 pm & 5:00 pm shows
- Runway Location: Sonoma Veteran’s Memorial Hall, 126 E. 1st St. W., Sonoma, CA 95476
- Trash Bash Wrap Party: April 25– Saturday 11:30 -3:00 pm (not mandatory/free to public)
- Trash Bash Location: Sonoma Community Center, 276 E. Napa St., Sonoma CA
How to apply: Entries due on or before March 20,2026 or until max 40 entries are met.
There is a limit of 40 designers for the 2026 Runway so we encourage you to submit an application asap even if the design concept is not fully flushed out.
- Fill out the application form (at the end of this document)
- If you complete your application online, your application will be acknowledged and confirmed via email once received.
- Submit application fee (non-refundable or transferable)
- Payments may be completed below.
- If you wish to pay by check, please contact molly@sonomacommunitycenter.org
- Deliver or Send application to:
Molly Spencer, Director of Engagement
Sonoma Community Center
276 E. Napa Street, Sonoma, CA
Design Review March 24-April 9 (Mandatory)
Design Review meetings will be scheduled between March 24 – April 9. You will receive a sign up schedule via email on March 21. This is a ½ hour meeting with the runway show copywriters. This is the time for you to tell the story of your piece, what inspired you, how you made it, what materials you used, discuss hair and makeup design, and music selection. You will need to bring: Your Trashion design, model’s contact info, a list of the materials that you used (for example: 49 discarded plastic spoons, 100 used tea bags), and a final decision on music you would like to use for the Runway. (Note: Music must be clean, no explicit lyrics and no Disney. Try to consider music with minimal lyrics as to not compete with emcee describing your outfit) You can expect to share which judging category you would like to be entered into at this time. See categories at the end of this document.
Changes to your concept and/or materials will not be accepted after this meeting.
Rehearsal with Runway coach: Friday, April 17 (Mandatory)
Runway rehearsals for everyone will take place from 4:00 pm-9:30 pm. If you are an adult, please schedule to be available the entire time! These are not scheduled appointments. Only kids and teens will be dismissed earlier when the runway coach has announced dismissal. All models must be prepared to change into their outfits and practice with the shoes, hats, and any accessories to be worn in the show.
Runway show: Saturday, April 18 (TWO shows, 1:30 pm and 5pm)
Participants must be available from 11:00 am - 8:30 pm on April 18.
Disclosure! Participants in the Kids category (9- 13 years) might only participate at the 2 PM slot. Will discuss with parents at design review.
Free Trash Bash Wrap Party! Saturday, April 25, 2026 (Optional)
You and all of your supporters are invited to attend! Wear or exhibit your piece at the free Trash Bash that will take place at the Sonoma Community Center! Meet the public who love to see the designs up close, and participate in the Trashion Show awards ceremony for the 16th annual Trashion runway designers. In addition, the closing gallery auction of the Trashion Barbies & Bags, along with a festival vibe complete with upcycling vendors, food truck, drinks and celebration.
Rules of Entry
- Create a wearable outfit, made of trash, recycled, upcycled, pre-worn, used materials. You can use items rescued from the trash and/or purchased at a thrift store.
- Do not use materials that have NOT BEEN previously used, even if you consider it trash. For example: brand new garbage bags or an unopened package of plastic cups. All materials should be reused and recycled… saving them from ending up in landfill if you hadn’t picked them to use in your art.
- Outfits must be safely worn on the human body, should allow models to walk up and down stairs, and be able to be removed and put back on without a lot of difficulty.Important info to consider: This is not meant to limit a dramatic look but at the Vet’s Building, there is a stairway to the stage that is 5 stairs and a narrow 2 ft wide. Doorway exit and entrances are 7 ft tall. The runway has two sets of stairs from the stage to the runway and exiting the runway but you do have a hand to help you down. The runway is 6 ft wide and 60 ft long and is an astro turf like material that sometimes catches up trains. You will be coached on direction.)
- NO GLITTER
- Junior participants are encouraged to take complete control of their design and construction process. Runway judges may inquire and use their discretion if a junior participant’s work appears to be primarily created by an adult, which could result in being moved into the adult design category. Feedback and suggestions will be offered during the review sessions.
- Participants are responsible for providing a model to wear their garment in the show. You may act as your own model. All designers can design an outfit for a child, teen, or adult. Groups, non-profits, businesses and clubs may work on a design entry together.
- Due to the large number of entries in the past, and to limit the length of the runway show, we are asking participants to limit one entry per designer/s. Each entry may have a couple or a team of models/outfits, as long as their runway walk time is the same as it would be for a single outfit.
- All designers and models must attend the scheduled rehearsal on Friday, April 17 in order to appear in the show on Saturday, April 18.
- Designers must attend one design review meeting, scheduled for ½ hour from March 24 – April 9 at the Sonoma Community Center or via Zoom.
- Artists and models must be willing to collaborate with Sonoma Community Center in regards to photography, video recording, interviews, blog postings and any other promotional activities. All participants must be willing to be photographed. By signing this application, you agree that these images and video clips may be used for publicity purposes.
- Sonoma Community Center reserves the right to decline participation in the fashion show if the artist’s design is not finished, considered unsafe, not appropriate for a family audience, not made from recycled materials or for any other reason deemed necessary.
For additional Information contact:
molly@sonomacommuntycenter.org
Tel 707.938.4626 x4