‘Ding’ Darling Brings Back ‘Trash-to-Fashion’ Conservation

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society‑Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) is bringing back its celebrated tradition of trash‑to‑fashion creativity and environmental action. REVIVE! Trash to Fashion: The Couture Collection builds on the success of two previous Project Refuge programs, once again transforming sustainability into high art to support habitat restoration and conservation education at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island.

The runway event will take place on Nov. 4, 2026, at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa, followed by curated exhibitions at both the refuge and Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers.

More than $10,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to winning designers. DDWS is now accepting designer applications through May 15, 2026.

“This groundbreaking fashion competition takes a chic, bold, revolutionary approach to conservation and the plastic crisis,” said Angeli Chin, DDWS events, marketing, and grants manager and project leader. “It encourages the transformation of recycled and reused materials into runway‑ready couture while inspiring us to rethink waste, embrace creativity, and champion conservation through art.”

DDWS invites designers, artists, students, and innovators – first-time creators to seasoned professionals – to apply for REVIVE! Organizations that share a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship are encouraged to join as sponsors and benefit from high‑visibility opportunities to align their brand with conservation, creativity, and community impact. Sponsorships directly support refuge programs, youth education, and the long‑term health of the region’s wildlife and habitats.

To learn more about sponsorship and applying for participation, visit dingdarlingsociety.org/revive or contact Chin at 239-286-5500 or angeli@dingdarlingsociety.org.

“REVIVE! invites all of us to rethink our relationship with waste, celebrate innovation, and take meaningful steps toward a cleaner, healthier planet,” said Chin. ‘Please join us. Create with us. Stand with us.”

ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.