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Overview
More than one thousand tabs from aluminium cans embellish this outfit. A quick glance at the tabs’ glistening hues tricks the eye – what looks like silver is in fact only cheap metal.
Re-inventing recycling
Designer Kriz Hema’s ingenuity broke the boundaries of fashion. By taking recycling to a whole new level, she reinvented the role of a disposable material. Destined for the rubbish bin, she instead used the throwaway tabs to glamourise a simple dress and hat. The originality and patience invested in making this award-winning outfit are priceless.
Award winner
The winner of the Evening Post 'Flair' young designer award in the Benson and Hedges 1995 Fashion and Design awards, this environmentally friendly and recyclable dress was described as 'footpath fashion' by the judges. Inspired by her partner's aunty who had a collection of can tabs, Kriz experimented with the 200 she had, liked the look, and set about to collect an additional 800 from '...footpaths, rubbish tins, drinking lots of soft drinks (and other canned beverages), from parties and bars...'. After winning the category, the garment featured in a nationwide tour of Benson and Hedges Award winners, a Bowerman School of Fashion Design show late in 1995 and then at the 1997 Wellington Cup, at Trentham, where it was also a finalist.
The dress was purchased by Te Papa from Kriz Hema in 1998.