The annual NYU Shanghai Trash Fashion (or Trashion, if you will) Show was held last week, showcasing the depth of diversity in the NYUSH community, something to be celebrated by everyone in attendance. This year’s designs took inspiration from all over the world, including Japan, Costa Rica, Ukraine, and so many others. No two pieces were the same, but all of them, made of trash collected by the designers and donated by the student body, glittered under the spotlights.

However, the 2025 Trashion Show was so much more than the sum of its parts. With an electrifying opening and closing performance from NYU Shanghai’s SOS Dance Club and words from its organizers (both the IMA department and Green Shanghai), it was clear how much love was put into making such a wonderful show possible. And not only was there so much love put into the show, but that love was given back tenfold, the audience cheering the designers, models, and organizers, without whom the Trashion show wouldn’t have been possible.

After the models walked and the judges deliberated, Green Shanghai asked for the audience’s opinions. David Pe, the Dean of Students, was, in one word, proud. “I’ve been attending this show for almost 10 years, and it just gets better every time. Kudos to everyone, it’s executed so well.” He went on to emphasize the importance of the show. “The key takeaway is stop ordering so much waimai!” Pe jokingly scolded the students with the shake of a head and a waggling fist.

Student Government President Maggie Zhang was thrilled to see so much representation on the runway. “It’s so amazing to have ideas from different dynasties, generations, and cultures.”

The audience was also given a chance to speak, and senior Grey Mosquera couldn't be happier with how the 2025 show turned out. “This is one of the best fashion shows we’ve ever had,” she said with a smile. Having been a model in her freshman year and a designer in subsequent years (although she was just an audience member this time around), she knew firsthand the continued growth the Trashion show has experienced. “The minority diversity we were able to showcase here is great. In previous years, we saw a lot of hanboks or kimonos, and I was really happy to see so much diversity.”

Soon after, the top three designs were announced by the Vice President of Green Shanghai, and the designers and models all came on stage to receive their laurels.

Third place, titled “Baby We Were Born This Way”, a Filipino design inspired by Christianity. This design, made of mirror shards and iridescent materials, is a decadent visualization of the beauty of devotion. The dress was its own disco ball, reflecting light from the spotlights all over the auditorium. One designer in a group of four, Camila Peña, said, “Initially, I didn’t even know if I wanted to do this.” But standing next to her work, it was clear how proud she was of the dress. “I kept wanting to go bigger and bigger,” she said, eliciting a laugh from her fellow designers.

Second place was awarded to “Let Them Eat Cake”, designed by Maïlys Oka. Made out of Meituan bags, the piece was a massive ballgown inspired by Marie Antoinette. Oka meant to represent the overconsumption of food, a 21st-century visualization of Antoinette’s infamous quote, “Let them eat cake.” The dress speaks for itself, but its model, Anastasia Ivanova, made it impossible not to notice. She took her time gliding across the red carpet, allowing everyone to see the craftsmanship on her shoulders, and solidifying “Let Them Eat Cake” as a top contender. When receiving her prize, Oka admitted this had been a last-minute design of hers. “This is a whole different design from two days ago. I started all over.” She made sure to give credit to Ivanova, as well. “My model helped me a lot. She carries a lot of this outfit, I want to thank her,” she said with a grateful smile to her model.

The coveted first-place prize was given to The Moonlight Tsaritsa, designed and modeled by Anastasia Slyusar. This dress, upon entering the venue, elicited a gasp from the audience. A sweeping gown inspired by traditional Ukrainian royal attire, worn and designed by the same person, was truly the epitome of regal. Blue and white, this piece, made of Chagee waimai bags, newspaper, and disposable face masks, took the audience’s breath away. There may have been only one name on the final project, but when accepting her trophy, Slyusar shouted out to everyone who had helped her get to such a gorgeous final product. “I know it says I’m a solo designer on that screen, but I couldn’t have done this alone. All of my friends helped me, so I thank them.” Standing on stage, she was absolutely glowing with pride. “This is exactly what I envisioned it to be.”

As the show concluded and the winners received their custom-made trophies, everyone had a smile on their face; this had been a beautiful example of what makes NYU Shanghai so special.