Conversation with Chris Culp

Chris Culp has been a youth services librarian at Braden River Public Library since 2010. Before she moved in 2003 to Florida, she worked in the Kansas City, Mo., library system. While she was there, the library hosted a fashion show for teenagers who created a piece of fashion connected to a literary work. Last year, she launched a similar idea with the Recycled Dreams Fashion Show at Braden River, which was a success again this year.

When I came to Braden River, I really wanted to do a fashion show. I thought it was such a cool idea to get kids involved. I brought it up to our team — we have a youth services team — and our director. Everyone liked the idea; we liked the tie-in with recycling. The library system has been trying to be more green, and (we wanted to) have kids use recycled items in their outfits. We threw it together and had 18 teens last year. There was a little of everything — shredded newspapers, one girl used coffee filters, another girl made a bodice out of metal cans. We had a representative from each library branch involved.

We started a program at the South Manatee branch called Recycled Robots. It caught on — people liked it. We then did it at the other branches. We started collecting recycled materials, and kids came and made robots with all the pieces and parts. Each branch contributed several robots, and they were displayed at the fashion show, where they were judged, too. I wanted it to have something where they had to think outside the box. I think recycling is an important thing to learn, especially in Florida

where there’s so much trash that gets thrown into the ocean and the environment. It brings a little bit of an awareness. 

This year we actually own a runway. The Central Library just opened again — it finished getting renovated — so we set up the runway right upstairs. All the Friends groups that make money for the library branches came together. We asked them to give some money for the show and they did; normally they just do things for their own branches. We had 12 girls show up this year. I was a little disappointed we had a few less entries than last year, but the quality of the work was wonderful this year.

The judges had so much fun last year, they were so excited to come back this year. I think they liked picking the girls’ brains about their design. I don’t envy their decision-making this year—it was a tough decision!

I think it gives kids the chance to show what they can do, show off their skills. It also gives them a chance to have a public platform to get up there on stage and practice walking, public speaking, speaking before the judges. All the judges talk with them and ask them what inspired them to make their creation. I think it’s good for their self-image to learn to be in public like. It’s great for the library, too — it brings people in, the family comes in. Last year, it was neat seeing the younger kids who came and watched and hearing them say, “Wow, maybe I can do that.” 

I was so nervous up to it (last year) I couldn’t relax and enjoy it until it started. It was a great feeling to see it come together. The girls were so excited, the teens felt so special, and the judges were so good at talking to each teen. I think it made them all feel special, even those who didn’t get first, second or third place. Last year I was so afraid no one would so up, so when the teens showed up I was so thrilled.