As the saying goes, ‘one man's trash is another man's treasure'. And that's exactly the case at Mount Maunganui Intermediate as children turn plastic bags, old newspapers and fruit packaging into garments worthy of the catwalk.

Children have been designing wearable art to model on the runway for the 2015 Trash to Fash Show at the school hall on August 1.

Mount Maunganui Intermediate students Amy Tanner, 12 (blue), Lana Beck, 12 (white) Hope Gibbard, 12 (flax), Kirsten Max 11 (umbrella), Meleka Mitchell, 12 (ball), and Ashleigh MacLeod, 12 (leaves). Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Organised by parent support group coordinators Joy Luker, Anna Beck and Dee MacLeod, the event aims to raise funds for the $45,000 worth of damage left after a tornado ripped through the school's grounds on May 14 this year.

Co-organiser Anna Beck believes it's important for the children to be involved in the fundraising process for their school.

'I think it's important for the children to know what's happening in their school and involve them in the fundraising process in some way,” says Anna.

'Plus, it's good to have a fun thing for them to do and bring the school community together.”

Anna says the children have been working on their designs since May.

'Some of the children who finished their outfits early were involved in the Sustainable Art Awards and Exhibition at Baycourt before the holidays,” she adds.

'One of our designers, Lana Beck, placed second.

'Her dress was made out of fruit packaging fabric and chicken wire.”

Paper mache and plastic bags have also been transformed into fashion items.

'The girls who made a plastic bag dress have an umbrella made out of plastic bags as well,' she explains.

Children will also model labels including RipCurl, Moko and Cherish, with performances by MMI school bands, cheerleaders and the NZ Made dance group. The show will be judged by Mount Maunganui College students.

The wearable art show is part of the school's evening fashion extravaganza, Storming the Catwalk, on August 1 at 7pm. Tickets cost $50 from Wallis Clothing, which includes snacks, a light meal and a glass or wine or beer on arrival. Tickets are limited.

The Trash to Fash event starts at 1.30pm. Entry is by a gold coin donation.

All funds raised from both events go towards repairing the tornado damage.