provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society‑Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) is bringing back its well-loved tradition of trash‑to‑fashion creativity and environmental action, in partnership with Tribbey Arts Center at Shell Point Retirement Community in Fort Myers. Tickets are on sale starting Aug. 27 for REVIVE! Trash to Fashion: The Couture Collection.
The runway show 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 luncheon event will take place starting 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 4, 2026, at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa on Sanibel Island. Tickets are $125 each, available starting Aug. 27 here.
More than 30 original upcycle fashions – all created from at least 75 percent recycled or reused materials – will grace the runway that day, with over $10,000 in cash prizes to be awarded to winning designs.
Following the public debut of the creations on Nov. 4, the refuge will open to the public a free-admission, curated exhibition of REVIVE! works Nov. 12 through Dec. 27, 2026, in its newly remastered auditoriums. Tribby Arts Center, will show the collection Jan. 8 through Feb. 18, 2027, also open to the public and free-of-charge.
“On Sanibel, recycling and eco-consciousness are always in style,” said Angeli Chin, DDWS events, marketing, and grants manager and project leader. “REVIVE! elevates that style to runway couture status while inspiring us to rethink waste, embrace creativity, and champion conservation through art.”
DDWS encourages organizations that share a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship 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, conservation education, and the long‑term health of the region’s wildlife and habitats.
To secure a sponsorship, click here or contact Chin at 239-286-5500 or angeli@dingdarlingsociety.org. For more information about the event, click here.
“Plastic pollution is not a distant threat—it is a present reality affecting wildlife, communities, and human health,” said DDWS executive director Ann-Marie Wildman. “REVIVE! invites the region to confront this crisis through creativity, education, and collective action. Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship secured, and every design created strengthens the future of Southwest Florida’s ecosystems. REVIVE! is more than a fashion show. It is a movement, a message, and a commitment to protecting the planet.”
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