We’re excited to introduce the 2026 class of Designers for this year’s Project Upcycle sustainable fashion design challenge, selected from a record number of applicants!
Dylan Braun • Ally Casa • Michelle Chen • Eleanor Cox •
Lillian Pexton • Chloe Spingarn • Audry Valys • Bryan Wilson
This year’s theme is TRANSFORMATION.
Read on to meet these eight supremely talented Designers who will create red carpet–ready looks from head-to-toe for their Community Role Models using upcycled garments and surplus materials.
Save the date for the Project Upcycle Runway Event: Saturday, October 24
Tickets go on sale in August. Sign up for our e-newsletter to make sure you get the alert!
Become a Member of 3S Artspace at the "Supporter" level or above to access the Member Presale an ensure you get a ticket before the event sells out.
Dylan Braun [he/him] is a 20-year-old tailor based in the Boston area who has been sewing for nearly three years. First drawn in by the technical precision of garment construction, what made him stay is the discovery of using his skillset as an avenue for personal expression. Still exploring where this path may lead, Dylan remains certain of one thing: he loves making clothes.
Instagram: @bydylanbraun
Ally Casa [any] is a mixed media designer, filmmaker, and puppeteer based in Portsmouth, NH. Her work explores unconventional combinations, with a focus on forms in motion. She brings wearables to life through techniques including pixilation, collage, 2D animation, stop motion, and live action. Grounded in sustainability, versatility, and a sense of play, her practice blurs the line between object and performance.
Instagram: @minotaurmilk
Michelle Chen [any] is a multimedia artist focused on sustainable fashion and sketchbooking. They believe sustainability can be embedded in any garment, regardless of concept. Based in Boston, MA, and West Point, GA, Michelle is currently pursuing a BFA in Fashion Design at MassArt.
Instagram: @sketchbookby_michellechen
Eleanor Cox [she/her] is a 27-year-old designer based in Portland, ME, creating contemporary work from deadstock, vintage, and recycled materials. Inspired by the rugged coastline of Maine and the rhythms of the natural world, her practice centers on transformation through material reuse. By pairing unexpected textures and contrasting elements, she produces pieces that feel both grounded and experimental, celebrating craftsmanship, sustainability, and the stories embedded in each material.
Instagram: @_pritlove_
Lillian Pexton [she/her] is the founder of Princess Chicken, where she creates sustainably minded, one-of-a-kind handmade garments. Drawing from her upbringing as a sailor, she transforms secondhand and recycled materials like reclaimed sails into expressive, wearable pieces. Her practice focuses on thoughtful pattern drafting, material reuse, and lifecycle-conscious design. Through voluminous silhouettes and fluid forms, her work reflects the movement of sails and the deep connection between sailors and the ocean.
Instagram: @princess__.chicken // @princess_chicken_fashion
Chloe Spingarn [she/her] is a fashion design student at Kent State University with a focus on sustainability. Driven by a passion for both environmental responsibility and creative expression, she embraces upcycling as a way to unite the two by transforming discarded materials into new, meaningful work. Chloe creates with intention while contributing to waste reduction in her community. She is honored to be selected for this opportunity and looks forward to the experience.
Instagram: @chlospins32
Audrey Valys [she/her] is the designer behind Audrey Apparel, creating one-of-a-kind wearable pieces from secondhand and natural materials. She learned to crochet as a child and has been freehanding her designs ever since. Her work often plays with scale, incorporates sculptural elements, and draws inspiration from overlooked everyday objects.
Instagram: @audreyapparel
Bryan Wilson [he/him] is a designer whose work draws from workwear and utility. Influenced by his upbringing in Detroit, he looks to the city’s industrial legacy and history of making as a foundation for his practice. With emphasis on craftsmanship and material, he creates garments that balance durability with thoughtful design, exploring the enduring relationship between clothing and the people who wear it.
Instagram: @1.derful