For "Video Madness," designer Laurie Roubitchek, of Mount Prospect, used netting from around a turkey and old videotape to create this outfit modeled by Nina Masciopinto. The videotape was woven into the netting to create the top and skirt. The base of the hat was made from a Styrofoam wreath and old neckties were hand-stitched to make the purse. Wine corks were glued to the bottom of flip flops and videotape accents the flops.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

For "Mulan," designer Kim Blackburn, of Barrington, created this outfit, modeled by Karen Borchert, from ties that were donated to her by a friend. The Chinese knot hair accessory is also made from ties and the toe slippers are made from an old T-shirt.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

"Hemerobius," designed by Mary Anne Enriquez, of Glenview, is a Greek scientific classification describing a genus of insects whose larvae are called "trash carriers." The base of the fantasy gown, modeled by Nancy Roos, is an old plastic tarp and metal wire fencing. Materials used to cover the skirt and halter top consist of wrappers, packaging, plastic caps, junk mail, cardboard cereal boxes and magazine pages.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

Niles North High School Family and Consumer Science teacher and project sponsor Julie Lear was inspired by Pan Am flight attendants' uniforms in the movie "Catch Me If You Can," movie for her creation "Cookture." The dress and hat are made from gray and black chef coats, embellished with tile samples. The flight attendant pin is made from a sample piece of leather and tile from interior design store discards.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

For "The Hunger Games," designer Melissa Ewart, a student at Niles North High School, created a one-shoulder dress made from old chef coats that were dyed red to symbolize "fire," modeled by classmate Elizabeth Sado. Layers of fabric create "flames" and the zigzag stitching gives the dress a rugged but glamorous look, reflective of the character Katniss Everdeen.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

For "Cleopatra," designers Ayesha Riaz and Allison Bunag, students at Niles North High School, created this one-shouldered flowing Egyptian goddess gown modeled by Allison Bunag. It is made from a variety of fabric that was donated to the school by a textile design company. The belt and hat were made from pop tabs and the bracelets were made from scrap fabric.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph

For "Hercules," designer Mehwish Ali, a student at Niles West High School, created this dress from a pair of old silk curtains for the goddess Athena. It is modeled by classmate Melida Pelinkovic. The dress is short in front and long in the back, accented with blue scrap ribbon and elastic to create a sweetheart effect.

Courtesy Emily Coughlin/ Emily Coughlin Photograph