Runaway Runway, 2012 ... Felicia on the catwalk!

Felicia Finney, my excellent young model (age 14 and 5' 9 1/2" tall) on the catwalk at Runaway Runway, 2012. This annual event is sponsored by the Columbia Design League and features garments made from 100% recycled material. Felicia's dress was created from black felt that had previously been used as packaging material when shipping a kayak or canoe from its manufacturer to a local outdoors shop. The two-piece garment is covered in buttons salvaged from the former South Carolina State Mental Hospital's vacant laundry/alterations building. The over-sized tote was made from used tyvek and bubble-wrap mailing envelops from Lenz Travel Services of Slippery Rock, PA. It is called a "Barkin' Bag", an obvious twist on the elite Hermes Birkin Bag. Why "Barkin' "? Watch the video for Lulu, my sister Sonya's tiny dog who emerges from the Barkin' Bag at the end of the runway. Lulu is dressed in a harness that matches Felicia's outfit. (By the way, my adorable husband Steve actually shot this video!)