Trashion Revolution: Modern Mythology 9/6/25

Note: Complimentary tickets for students and those experiencing financial challenges may be requested by emailing [email protected]. Anyone who wants to attend our show is invited to, irrespective of ability to pay. Our Accessible Seating section includes an ASL Interpreter. Refunds will be granted in cases such as medical emergencies, and on a case-by-case basis for other circumstances.

Doors Open: 5:30pm

Cocktail reception 5:30pm - 7pm with a cash bar; Premium Experience guests have access to a private bar, complimentary cocktails and appetizers

Show: 7:00pm

Post-Show Reception: 8:30pm

Immediately following the show guests will have a chance to meet & mingle with the models and designers from 8:30pm - 10pm; a cash bar will be available, and Premium Experience guests have access to a private bar and complimentary cocktails

What is Trashion Revolution?

The third-annual Trashion Revolution is a "fashion show with a purpose" designed to start conversations about the climate crisis, intersectional issues and - most importantly - solutions, all while inspiring action. It is produced by a young, Chicago-based nonprofit called Triveni Institute that was created in late 2021.

Our designers will bring their interpretations of this year's theme - Modern Mythology - to life on the runway on Saturday, September 6th in the Narcissus Room at the iconic former Marshall Fields historical landmark, currently Macy's on State in the heart of Chicago's Loop. All designs are created from post-consumer, upcycled/repurposed single-use plastic trash. Trashion Revolution has been dubbed the "Future Met Gala of the Climate Crisis."

Why is Trashion Revolution important?

Simply put, humanity is destroying the one and only planet known to support life. The Fermi Paradox hypothesizes that one reason we have no indication of life outside of Earth is that "advanced civilizations self-destruct." Fermi posits that intelligent civilizations might destroy themselves through war, resource depletion, or other means before they become capable of interstellar travel or communication.

If this is the path of self-destruction that we are on, is the answer to attempt to colonize Mars before we destroy the habitability of Earth? Or should we do everything we possibly can to try and create the individual and political will to change course right here, right NOW, on this beautiful blue planet we call Earth?

This show is about starting those conversations, and doing it in a way that feels grounded in possibility and purpose, not fear and despair.

The iconic photo "Earthrise" taken by astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission, was the first photo taken of Earth from outer space.

What is Triveni Institute?

Trashion Revolution: Modern Mythology is a community activation event and annual fundraiser for 501(c)3 Triveni Institute, using fashion and art as mediums to raise awareness of our climate and plastic pollution crises. Triveni Institute is about challenging the status quo and disrupting systems that perpetuate injustice socially and environmentally. Triveni means "three," and the three areas Triveni works within are 1) Storytelling & the Arts (producing shows such as Trashion Revolution and ShadowBall) 2) Community Organizing (through our GEM Program) and 3) Educating and Empowering Youth (through our Triveni Microgrant Program).

We use a cross-community scope of action to bring together the worlds of fashion, politics, nonprofits, for-profit companies, the LGBTQ+ community and people of diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Our events offer a way to discuss difficult topics and inspire action in a fun atmosphere that provides much-needed levity. Although Trashion Revolution is our marquee annual event, we also produce boutique events such as ShadowBall, created to discuss the connection between mental health and environmental health.

What can we expect from this year's show?

For Trashion Revolution: Modern Mythology, 21 designers are creating "trash art" looks made from single-use and/or disposable post-consumer plastic, and 24 dynamic models will walk the runway who represent age diversity, body diversity, racial diversity, gender diversity and experience diversity. We are thrilled to welcome back MWRD Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis as our host for the third year and DJ Phreaky Bionic as our DJ for the third year.

In our 2025 model cast we are also proud to present five SIMs (Special Invitation Models): these people are pillars in the community who represent aspirational leadership in politics, nonprofits, community organizing and activism. This year we welcome Erica Bland, Torrence Gardner, Ken Mejia-Beal, Afrika Porter and Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth to the runway. The climate crisis is a global problem that requires all of humanity to participate in the solutions, so we want a cross-section of all of humanity to be walking in our show. Representation matters.

Trashion Revolution is also a competition, with designers competing for $1750 in prize money for the top three designs (1st prize $1000, 2nd prize $500, 3rd prize $250) judged by our crowd and panel of judges: J'en Mai, Natalia Vera, Carlo Gibson and Norman Teague. Pay equity is a foundational value of ours, so we raise funds to pay all of our models and designers an honorarium for their important skill and creative vision. Your ticket purchases and donations contribute directly to the disruption of an economic system that has conditioned us to believe that only extraction, production, consumption and waste have value - while protecting life on this planet does not. We need a revolution within capitalism to effectively address our most challenging environmental problems.

Join us on September 6th and be ready to be inspired.

For sponsorship opportunities please email [email protected].

Host or Publisher Triveni Institute