Washington teens turn recyclables runway worthy Using scrap materials, library patrons tasked with creating and designing

WASHINGTON - Payton Anderson may be a freshman at Washington High School but on Monday she took on a new profession: fashion designer.

Anderson was just one of several teens who worked together during the Recycled Runway event at the Washington Public Library. Using pages of books, tissue paper and other scrap materials, teens had to work together to create an outfit that could be worn during the annual Washington Fashion show in the fall. The finished product is now on display in the library window.

The teens decided to create a dress which presented a variety of challenges such as sketching the design and figuring out which materials to use. Anderson said it was something new and different and despite the difficulties, it was something she was looking forward to doing.

'I really enjoy arts and craft and fun things so I thought this would be cool,” she said.

Youth Services Librarian Jenisa Harris said the Recycled Runway event was something the library has had in the past and was brought back by popular demand. This year a mix of boys and girls were working together, which Harris said was a nice surprise to see.

'I think anybody can be a fashion designer and this is a great platform for them to show their creativity and what the guys bring and what the girls bring will be two different styles,” she said.

Harris said bringing in new activities that will appeal to different groups enhances their experience at the library because by presenting it as a place where they can try new things, they are able to have new experiences.

'This is about being creative, hands-on and giving them a bunch of stuff and letting them run wild. There's not many places in the world that they can do this anymore and I feel like it's a fun way to see them work as a team,” she said.

John Flannery also attended the event and had been looking forward to it for a while. His older siblings assisted several years ago and he had been patiently waiting his turn.

Flannery admitted he is not much of a fashion designer but upon seeing the finished product a few years ago, he was inspired. His goal for the day was to create a men's outfit to compliment the dress the girls were making. He was designing his piece as he worked, he said, but because it was all in good fun he felt confident and relaxed in his work.

'It's something that's easy to do with no pressure. I always thought it was impossible to do something like this but the I saw it actually is possible,” he said.