By Caitlin Conner, Marketing + Communications Manager 

At Daniel Stowe Conservancy, we’re all about sticking our hands in the dirt, getting mud on our hiking boots and running wild in nature, so “high fashion” might not be a descriptor you’d automatically associate with our 380 acre nature Conservancy (unless you’re talking about the weddings hosted in The Gardens!). But every spring, we host an event that’s entirely focused on spring style: Hats in the Garden. 

Hats in the Garden is our annual spring fundraiser that pairs a glamorous luncheon with a good cause; all proceeds from Hats in the Garden support Stowe’s mission to inspire a love of nature and its beauty through unforgettable outdoor experiences. The funds raised at Hats in the Garden go toward supplies for our Gardens and Natural Resources team who take great care of our expansive property. As a nonprofit organization, fundraisers like this help us reach our goals and continue growing….plus it’s a fun excuse to dress up and break out your creativity when designing or purchasing a larger-than-life hat.

This year, we’re excited to bring back our friends from ArtPop, a nonprofit organization in Charlotte that amplifies the region’s creative spirit by transforming everyday places into creative and immersive experiences. ArtPop  features local artists on billboards throughout the region to promote and empower the artists to build their careers, network and market their work on a large-scale platform. As each cohort ends, the billboards are given a new life – each year, ArtPop hosts an Upcycled Fashion Show in Charlotte where talented local designers and models are hired to transform retired ArtPop artist billboards into fifteen stunning, wearable works of art! This full-circle initiative is a fantastic showcase of sustainability in the art world and a movement we champion at Stowe.

We featured several of the 2024 Upcycled Fashion Show pieces at last year’s Hats in the Garden event and we’re thrilled at the opportunity to repeat the experience in 2025 on an even larger scale! Read on for a preview of the pieces we’re featuring this year on Tuesday, April 28 and if you’re interested in seeing the pieces in person, you can purchase your ticket to Hats in the Garden below (limited space left!).

All information on the fashion pieces and designers provided by ArtPop. 

One of last year's models and designers

Upcycled Evening Gown by designer Menia Page 

Menia Paige’s design channels the energy of the feminist movement by merging body-conscious form with architectural armor, a signature approach that celebrates bold femininity through high-fashion artistry. Model Ruby Durham is showing off the sharp curves and layered structures of this garment that is both protective and celebratory, symbolizing how women rise, resist, and redefine power.

Constructed from recycled billboards, the piece reflects strength, activism, and the artistry of women united — echoing Menia Paige’s commitment to creating pieces that honor resilience, individuality and the beauty of being unapologetically yourself.

The vibrant colors and bold ribboning are a perfect pairing for Hats in the Garden, an event that celebrates individuality and channeling your personal style.

Since graduating in 2019, Menia Paige – called Paige by friends and family – is currently a full-time creative, operating Menia Paige LLC, which offers services as a designer, wardrobe consultant, tailor, creative director and set designer.

Born and raised in Jackson, MS, her creative spark was ignited early, inspired by tradition, texture and the quiet strength of the women around her. Menia went on to study at Alabama A&M University, where her love for design evolved into a pursuit of excellence, experimentation and identity through fashion. After graduation, Menia moved to Charlotte where her brand, Menia Paige, was born.

Over the past five years, she has established herself as a designer known for intentionality, drama and elegance, often fusing modern silhouettes with nostalgic references and bold femininity.

The upcycled billboard used to create the design, featuring art by Malaysha K. Belton.

Upcycled Evening Gown by Hope Gottschling 

As both designer and model for this fashion piece, Hope’s design acts as a luxurious ode to the peach. The ensemble begins with a leaf-like bandeau top, crafted from long, intersecting green strips that mimic the elegant, fluttering foliage of a peach tree. It clings to the body, framing the torso with an organic silhouette. A single, shawl-like piece cascades from the shoulders and drapes around the arms, adding dramatic movement and a touch of grandeur to the look.

Below, a bold, low-slung skirt blooms in a warm, sun-drenched orange, echoing the natural shape of the fruit that inspires it. The fabric itself depicts a scene painted by Barbara Curry of peaches nestled among branches, heavy with sweetness.

The ensemble is primarily made from repurposed billboard vinyl, but the designer also added volume to the skirt by stuffing it with recycled plastics. As a result, she was able to achieve the desired look while keeping sustainability and upcycling at the center of her design and committing to the objective of the show.

Hope Gottschling’s artistic journey began at a young age in North Carolina, where she discovered her passion for fashion design by creating her first dress at the age of 13. Her talent and dedication earned her a full ride scholarship to the University of Delaware, where she is currently pursuing a double major in Fashion Design and Environmental Studies.

While Hope will not be able to join us as a model for Hats in the Garden, we’re so impressed with her talent at such a young age and are honored to feature her work.

The upcycled billboard used to create the design, featuring art by Barbara Curry. 

Upcycled Female Jacket and Pant Combo

Inspired by Janet Croog’s tiger from cut paper, this is one of Jennifer’s all-time favorite billboards. She is drawn to the elegant lines and shapes created by white paper and its shadows.

Jennifer’s fashion design is modeled by Amelia Lachowski. Amelia is showcasing a jumpsuit with a jacket. Jennifer says she was inspired by the artist’s use of line and shadow.

Her intention with her design is to create a dynamic piece that moves with the elegant shapes and shadows that she sees in her paper cutting.

Born and raised in Tennessee, Jennifer Gilomen has been making art professionally since 1993. After earning a MAT and a MFA from Winthrop University, she had two residencies at the McColl Center.

A professional artist since the early 1990s, Jennifer has explored mixed-media, collage, painting, sewing, fabric design, fashion design, and icon writing. In 2008, she was one of three artists selected to represent the McColl Center in an artist exchange program in Pacewalk, Germany. Following a second artist-in-residency at the McColl Center, she continued working out of her home studio, showing in various galleries in the Southeast and Charlotte area. In 2016, her work, “Suspension,” was selected for an ArtPop billboard.

The upcycled billboard used to create the design, featuring art by Janet Croog. 

Upcycled Female Streetwear

Anise’s piece plays with perception and form, exploring the concept of illusion through an intricate technique known as triaxial weaving—where three sets of vinyl strips are interlaced at 60-degree angles to create a bold 3D cube effect. The result is a visually dynamic textile that adds energy and movement to the garment.

Finished with contrasting neon piping, this streetwear-inspired silhouette is both elevated and edgy—proving that upcycled materials can be transformed into high-impact, wearable art.

Anise is a fashion designer from New Jersey whose love for design started early and has continued to evolve with time.

Known among friends and family for her thoughtful, detail-driven approach, Anise brings a personal lens to every piece she creates. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, she’s carving out her own space in the industry—one that blends creativity, craftsmanship and a deep respect for the process. Her work has appeared on runways in both New York and North Carolina, where her designs have been noted for their energy, contrast, and personality.

For Anise, fashion is both a form of self-expression and transformation—a way to communicate emotion, story and spirit through clothing.

The upcycled billboard used to create the design, featuring art by Lily Roman. 

We’re so excited to see all these looks in-person at this year’s Hats in the Garden luncheon on Tuesday, April 28! The Upcycled Fashion Show is exactly the type of initiative we love to champion at Stowe; a celebration of art, culture and sustainability that highlights local talent. If this sounds like your kind of event, we’d love for you to join us at Hats in the Garden!