ALAMOSA — In May, an original fashion ensemble designed and sewn from used tote bags by two Alamosa women won top honors at the state convention of the Colorado Federation of Women’s Clubs.

Earlier this year, when “Conservation Challenge 2018” was issued to all Colorado GFWC clubs, Woman’s Citizenship Club of Alamosa decided to go for it. Many different kinds and styles of old tote bags were collected. Then club members Patty Campbell and Bessie Konishi got busy designing and creating an attractive, sophisticated outfit.

Winning the state competition means the ensemble is eligible to compete in St. Louis, Missouri, at the annual international convention of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. On June 25, it will be shown at the GFWC Style Project Runway Conservation Challenge.

Campbell and Konishi began their adventure in creative fashion by studying the collected tote bags for stylistic ideas, then designing and constructing the club entry. The finished ensemble is a worldly, environmentally-friendly skirt and top plus accessories.

As Konishi explained to club members, “Inspiration for the design came from two National Geographic tote bags. One had pictures of the world which appealed to us since GFWC is involved around the world. So it was used to make the top. The bag was cut open on the sides and the carrying straps realigned into shoulder straps. Then holes were punched along the sides and laced up with shoestrings.”

And Campbell described making the skirt, featuring an elasticized waist, from a plain black tote bag, “We cut miniature photos of magazine covers from the second National Geographic tote and glued them all around the skirt. The fringe came from a 2008 GFWC International Convention bag.”

Using a local store tote bag, Campbell sewed a purse and choker necklace. “I made sure that ‘Alamosa’ would show on the front of this small hand-held purse,” she said smiling.

Then to top it off, Konishi devised a fascinator from a Sephora beauty products bag that featured large lips. The lips were cut out, sewn and stuffed with seven grocery bags for a pouty look!”

The duo worked 72 hours, using a total of 14 tote bags with 80 percent of the sewing being done by hand.

Konishi also wrote a few words to be read during the runway presentation: “Oh the places you’ll go / The volunteer projects you’ll be involved in / The friendships formed / All because of GFWC!”

Club members enjoyed being a part of this Conservation Challenge that brought together new ideas that involved re-using or recycling of items, alternative fashion trends, creative thinking in clothing construction and just plain fun for the seamstresses.

Woman’s Citizenship Club is a member of the Colorado Federation of Women’s Clubs and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs. Since its beginning in the 1890s, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs continues to be one of the oldest and largest women’s service organizations in the world dedicated to community improvement through volunteer service.

Caption: Winning tote bag outfit for Colorado Federation of Women’s Clubs advances to GFWC annual convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Pictured from left are Patty Campbell, model Mary Russell and Bessie Konishi..Courtesy photo