Students will show off their creative design talents while they compete for cash prizes at the Curbside Couture fashion show this Sunday.

But this isn't your normal, everyday fashion show.

In this fashion show, students — from high school on down to elementary age — are asked to turn "trash into treasure" by designing original creations with recycled materials. All creations must be 75 percent recycled. Some materials used in the past include fabric, newspaper, egg crates, tin foil, straw and duct tape.

The students' creations can be an accessory — jewelry, purses, gloves, shoes — or a total design — a complete outfit redesigned or recycled.

And just because these creations are put together with items like old newspapers or egg crates does not mean contestants are throwing something together last minute. One student told event coordinator Connie Fails more than 80 hours was put into her design.

Students are also using creative measures to tailor their designs.

"Most of the students that have done this did not have sewing machines," Fails said. "In many cases, this is being done with things like hot glue, lacing and duct tape."

Fails said the staff has already been wowed by what the students had pieced together at a recent mentoring session.

"After the session, a supervisor walked by and said, 'You all are going to have the toughest time judging this stuff,'" Fails recalled. "I tell other people when you see what they can do, you will be astounded."

The competition doesn't drop off with age in this fashion show, either.

"These younger kids, they just have no inhibitions or preconceptions," Fails said. "They just do what they're going to do."

The history of the Curbside Couture fashion show is short, but successful.

The first show was held in December 2012 and the second followed months later in April 2013. In those first two shows, Curbside had more than 130 submissions and standing-room-only audiences.

According to Fails, this year's event, which is set for April 27 in the Great Hall at the Clinton Center, received 135 entries. Fails said 85 designs will be included in the fashion show, and those that were not selected will be displayed at the center.

This year's participants include students from across the state, including Russellville, Jonesboro, Heber Springs, Fayetteville and Harrison, Fails said.

Cash prizes are awarded to students in three divisions.

In the high school division, first place receives $500, second place receives $400, third place receives $300 and fourth place receives $200.

In the middle school competition, first place gets $300, second gets $200 and third gets $100.

At the elementary school level, first place gets $200, second receives $100 and third place gets $75.

One of the unique opportunities for students in this fashion show is the chance to interact with professional fashion designers. This year, students will work with Korto Momolu, of Little Rock, a first runner-up on "Project Runway."

This year's show will also include the work of the first Thea Foundation fashion scholarship winners. 

Two seniors will be awarded, with first place receiving a $4,000 scholarship and second place receiving $2,500. The scholarship competitors are required to complete a series of steps, including a 500-word essay on how the scholarship could change their lives, in addition to providing a mini-portfolio of 3-5 drawings. Finally, the competitors must present their designs. The presentation is set for April 5.

Both scholarship winners and five honorable mention winners will be included in the fashion show.

This year's show kicks off at 7 p.m. April 27 (Sunday). Doors open at 6 p.m. Attending the event is free, but reservation is required. For more information, contact Connie Fails at CFails@ClintonFoundation.org.