Mia Ruffin, daughter of Wearable Arts artist Rochelle

Solanoy, models an ensemble that includes a skirt and ruffles made from old issues of the Empire. Solanoy called the piece “Amused by Fused Recyclables” to fit with the 2012 theme “Fusion.” Other materials include plastic cups, styrofoam plates, straws, bottle caps, aluminum cans and magazines. Before that next dump run, think about how you might upcycle yesterday’s news and other typical trash.