Get Ready: Discarded to Divine is Coming (Plus, a Sweet Contest)

Cast-offs become couture each spring in San Francisco, thanks to the arrival of Discarded to Divine, an annual fashion showcase of work by established and emerging designers who transform discarded clothing and textiles into one-of-a-kind apparel, accessories and items for the home in support of St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco and its programs fighting poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.

While the big night isn't until April 28, Friday's de Young Museum Preview Night brings the first public viewing opp for this year's collection of garments. Even better, it's free.

Both the preview night and the fundraising fashion bash later this month usher in a wider variety of creations made from recycled and repurposed textiles than ever before. While apparel dominates the designer offerings as it has in past years, the 2011 show impresses with an expanded selection of home décor items such as Hansine Goran's Alchemy Triptych of coordinating carpets featuring interlocking black-and-white graphic designs. Among the garments you might want to scope out and bid on during the auction on the 28th are a blue and white strapless number by Wesley Ito, Melissa Panages' ensemble embellished with computer chips, a houndstooth coat by Janice Paredes, Xiang Zang and Yoorium Kim's asymmetrical knit dress with chiffon and fur accents and hand-dyed dolman sleeve coat by gr.dano's Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer.

Tickets, $75 and up.

Below are a few of the creations that have stood out so far to the Discarded by Divine team. We'll be publishing profiles of each of these talented designers next Tuesday. Which look is your favorite? Vote below and we'll reveal the winner on Tuesday, 4/26. The winner will get a half-page feature in a future issue of 7x7 magazine.

1. Hansine Goran

2. Wesley Ito
Photo by Gabriel Harber

3. Melissa Panages

4. Janice Paredes
Photo by Gabriel Harber

5. Xiang Zang and Yoorium Kim
Photo by Gabriel Harber

6. Jill Giordano and Brian Scheyer

Love those designs! They are so fun any unique. I wonder if you could use the same lines and colors in home decor items.

By Anonymous on November 11, 2011

My vote is for Melissa Panages. "How The West Was Won" which I saw on display at the DeYoung. To me it totally sums up the Bay Area. Gold. Computer Chips. Western looking duster coat and skirt in Gold. That pretty much embodies up what makes the Bay Area a place where people live. And to bring it to comtemporary fashion, all while following the theme of Discarded to Divine...that is creative and brilliant thinking. Also, the piece shows remarkable work, time investment and ingenuity. I can see why it won the People's Choice Award at the DeYoung exhibit. Excellent!

By Anonymous on April 24, 2011

I want to thank all the De Young, " Discarded to Divine" participants last Friday night (4-15-11)who voted for my Opera Coat and high tech top titled " How The West Was Won".
The award was quite the surprise and honor.

Kudo's to Sally Rosen and Heather Ripley who have worked non-stop
to make this show what it is today for the St Vincent de Paul Society. Putting on a double contest takes time and co-ordination.
I want to thank 7x7 for chosing my Haute Tech Couture to be
in their contest as well, win or not!

Famously,
Melissa Panages

By Anonymous on April 20, 2011

Love the idea of using computer chips for the design. Well done Melissa Panages for embodied the concept of discarded to divine and representing the Bay Area

By Anonymous on April 19, 2011

Love the piece by Janice Paredes!

By Anonymous on April 19, 2011

I love your work. The best.

By Anonymous on April 17, 2011

Hansine Goran's art is inspirational! I only wish we lived closer to the event!

By Anonymous on April 17, 2011

The lines were long (!) and the spirits high (!) to see the preview, but well worth the wait. Amazing what the artists and designers created from...well...discards. Many pieces worthy of a couture magazine cover.

By Anonymous on April 15, 2011

How nice to see Discarded to Divine include other forms of textile art, like the amazing carpet by Hansine Goran. It's long overdue. I look forward to seeing more in the future.

By Anonymous on April 14, 2011

Seeing Hansine Goran's work is more than worth the price of admission: can't wait!

By Anonymous on April 14, 2011

Discarded to Divine is a rare opportunity to see creation, transformation and reuse in full-blown glory. There really isn't anything quite like this. Discards from St. Vincent de Paul Society of San Francisco are given annually to artists and designers to create with. What emerges are stunning one-of-a-kind works of couture and home design. The proceeds from the gala and auction serve to support women, children and those in need in San Francisco. It is one of the best full-circle creation events of San Francisco. The examples here are just a few of what is typically a remarkable, inspiring show of care and talent.

By Anonymous on April 14, 2011

your numbering seems to be off.

By Anonymous on April 13, 2011

These captions look out of order!

By Anonymous on April 12, 2011