Although the actual term was coined in 2004, there is a long history before that. Worldwide for hundreds of years, indigenous people have been repurposing the old into the new. It’s standard practice for indigenous communities to live a zero-waste lifestyle. Maximizing the utility and minimizing consumption meant mindfully using every resource available to them. Zero-waste indigenous communities apply this philosophy to more than just fashion. 

The punk movement of the 70’s and 80’s used trashion as an anti-consumerism protest. Punks have been creating trash into wearables as a symbol of non-conformity. Punks would use scissors and thread to fashion a garbage bag into a dress that they would sport. Today in mainstream fashion we still see punk elements like safety-pinned t-shirts and razor blades on jewelry. 

The word trashion was created in 2004 in New Zealand. Soon after, the word took off in the New York party scene in 2005 when underground club Urban Gypsy Circus had a trashion themed night. Trashion night encouraged party-goers to have some real creativity with their outfits. For most of the attendees, it was the first time they had created their own outfits from scratch. The night’s success inspired designers to create their own trashion and for other clubs to continue hosting Trashion Night.