If you're into Etsy, the online center for buying and selling crafty things, you'll know that they've been accepting entries for their Upcycling Contest -- essentially, a contest that encourages people to create something from what would've otherwise been a disposable item.

MissMalaprop's entry is this bustier, skirt, and flower choker made from recycled FEMA blue tarp. Nice.

Apparently, the inventive designer participated in a charity fashion show last year around Mardi Gras, in which all of the outfits had to made using blue tarp as the primary material. After her dress made the front page of the Times-Picayune Living section, the requests for more (with accompanying extra blue tarp) came pouring in. This recent creation was made from leftover material.

At first I was drawn to this because of the concept behind it, but beyond that, the dress looks awesome. I could totally see this turning heads at some hipster bar.

What do you think?

(Thanks to Boing Boing for the link)