An Upcycled Skirt Design Challenge
The Skirt Design Challenge is back! Four local artists will create an upcycled piece from donated fabrics and cutoffs based on the festival theme, The Maps We Make. Each Skirt will be displayed at one of four participating retailers during the festival. You have a chance to win at each Skirt location, just enter the draw and you could win tickets to a SkirtsAfire show or a gift basket full of goodies from women-owned/operated businesses in Old Strathcona!
Find a Skirt and to enter to win at the following locations…
The QUILTBAG
10516 82 Ave
Village Goods
10432 82 Ave
gravitypope Tailored Goods
10414 82 Ave
Bamboo Ballroom
8206 104 St
About the Artists
Melissa Squire
A unique local designer who has shown on many runways locally and internationally. Since 2007 she has been creating everything from wedding dresses and badass baby clothes to edgy vests adorned with recycled tire and studs. Her sustainable accessory line is made primarily from recycled tire and hand carved avocado pits.
A creator of wearable art, couture and custom formal attire, Melissa loves working with clients of all ages, shapes, sizes and genders to create pieces that highlight their natural beauty and instil confidence and body positivity.
Lola D. Sanchez
A Mexican designer that works as a mascot builder, costume designer, and occasional photographer. Lola finished her Fashion Design Diploma at NBCCD, New Brunswick and got her Graphic Design Degree at the Technologic University of Mexico. Lola won First place at the “21th NBCCD Fashion Show” 1st Year Challenge, and had her piece showcased at the Fredericton Beaverbrook Art Gallery and Saint John George Fry Gallery.
Lola believes that art performance is medicine to the heart and she wants to create costumes that bring happiness and freedom to artists who wear them. She is passionately working hard and expanding her horizons by getting experience in the costume design world. Lola wants to be a designer that “See with perspective, live with ambition, create with passion, and move with freedom”.
Beverly Gan
A multi-disciplinary artist and educator whose journey began in the gilded halls of fashion before she delved into the enigmatic world of costume design. A graduate of Istituto Marangoni, she has since woven her artistry into the fabric of esteemed projects across a spectrum of mediums including short films, theatre, advertising, and music videos between the UK, Canada, and the United States. Beverly is also the founder of two clothing labels and The House of Sew.
Joanne Ngo
Joanne Ngo has been passionate about fashion, art, and sewing since she was young. Now as a Home Economics teacher, Joanne hopes to inspire the next generation of creative minds both in and out of the classroom. Joanne previously competed and won the 2020 SkirtsAfire Skirt Design Competition where she created a 1940s inspired skirt, “Patterned Past”, using upcycled sewing patterns. Joanne excitedly returns this year as a skirt designer to showcase her love and passion for fashion, creativity, sustainability and celebrating women in the arts.
You can find more of Joanne and her work on Instagram @hellopiggycreations_. Through HelloPiggy Creations, Joanne shares her passion for creating with the world through her artwork and handmade items.
SkirtsAfire is Edmonton’s theatre and multidisciplinary arts festival featuring and elevating the work of women. In conjunction with International Women’s Day, SkirtsAfire’s 10-day programming features a wide array of passionate, transformative and engaging women-led performances, workshops and exhibits in various disciplines such as: Theatre, Dance, Poetry, Visual Art, Design, Music, Cabaret, Comedy and more. The 2026 SkirtsAfire Festival runs March 5 – 15, at various venues in Old Strathcona and the French Quarter, plus their newest venue in Rossdale: ArtsHub Ortona. There’s lots to see and do at SkirtsAfire – take it all in!
Check out the full festival schedule for more details on the festival and where you can enjoy live performances through March 15th.