Revive! unites art, fashion, and conservation in celebration of community support
The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) announced its appreciation for the sponsors supporting the 2026 Revive! Trash to Fashion: The Couture Collection, a conservation-driven runway event featuring more than 25 designers presenting unique, conservation-inspired original couture created entirely from recycled and repurposed materials.
Revive! uses couture as a medium for environmental expression, transforming discarded materials into powerful artistic statements about conservation. The event continues a creative legacy that began in 2019 with Project Refuge, a fashion show marking the 75th anniversary of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Designers were challenged to use at least 75% reclaimed materials, turning everyday waste into imaginative works that highlighted the growing environmental crisis. The event returned in 2022 for DDWS’s 40th anniversary and later inspired Cast-offs to Couture, a curated exhibition at the Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point.
This year’s Revive! expands that tradition, using fashion as a platform for conservation-driven artistic expression and community engagement. DDWS extends heartfelt thanks to the generous sponsors whose commitment makes Revive! possible.
Community champions including Norma Walley; Cliff and Susan Beittel; Robert and Kathy Wiesemann; The Health Whisperer; Patty Sprankle; Sarah Ashton and Jim Metzler; and Doug and Sherry Gentry have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to creativity and conservation. Their partnership fuels the Refuge’s mission, strengthens environmental education, and ensures that Revive! continues to inspire new ways of thinking about sustainability and the future of Southwest Florida’s natural resources.
Revive! exhibition dates:
• J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge: Nov. 12 to Dec. 27
The full couture collection will be displayed in the newly renovated Visitor’s Center, offering guests an up-close look at the creativity and conservation messaging behind each design.
• Tribby Arts Center at Shell Point: Jan. 8 to Feb. 18, 2027
The exhibition will then travel to the Tribby Arts Center, where the garments will be presented as fine art in a gallery setting.
For more information about Revive! or sponsorship opportunities, visi www.dingdarlingsociety.org, email Angeli Chin at angeli@dingdarlingsociety.org, or call 239-286-5500.