“Digital Killed the Video Store”, designed by artist Grace DuVal, is an 80’s-inspired wearable topiary made entirely out of repurposed VHS tapes. Recycling old home videos donated by friends and family, this design uses over twenty five miles of VHS tape to create the fluffy sculptural form. Inspired by the song “Video Killed the Radio Star”, the garment speaks to the ever-evolving nature of technology—how each new form obviates the old, creating an abundance of waste that requires transformation and innovation.

 

The foundation of the garment is meticulously draped, patterned, and extensively boned using piano wire, steel boning, and recycled pallet strapping, creating a sculptural framework for the VHS tape to be applied to. Upcycled denim and repurposed mesh fabric were stretched over the frame, with bundles of hand-wrapped VHS tape pompoms attached to the mesh via biodegradable zip ties. Grace invented a custom hand-crank tape-winding machine using Fusion360 and 3D printing, allowing the artist to wind VHS tape pompoms at an expedited rate. Over 200 hours were spent applying tape to the garment.

 

A colorful internal pattern emerges from the collar and corseted back of the design, made from collaging the outer boxes of the VHS tape into a new, bold, colorful pattern. Over 150 scraps of recycled leather were meticulously sewn together and grommeted to create the spinal corset lacing.

 

This garment won Runner Up in the Trashion Category in the 2025 Australian Wearable Art Festival.