Re-purposed bouquets, recycled household items and a contest pitting mayors against one another in an effort to win a "hat challenge."

It's not your typical fashion show, but organizers with the Wearable Arts Awards pride themselves on precisely that point.

This year's version of the show runs Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 16 and 17) at the Port Moody City Hall Galleria, around a celebratory, centennial theme.

Roughly 60 entries have been received from across North America and Australia, with entrants vying for about $6,000 in prize money for the three form-based categories and the seven special awards.

"We're always surprised at the ingenuity and creative ways people are using colour - some of the works are things we have never seen before," said Jane Matthews, executive director of the Port Moody Arts Centre Society.

"And with the different award prizes that we have this year, people have really taken that information to heart and have really responded to those categories. There are going to be some really neat pieces this year."

The usual award categories will be highlighted in this year's show - headdress, brassiere, complete outfit - but new awards specific to the centennial celebrations will also be in vogue.

The Material of the Year award will feature works in silk to highlight the themes of revelry and celebration, while the colours of the year will be gold and silver.

Also unique to this year's show is the Mayor's Hat Challenge. A handful of current politicians from the Tri-Cities, Belcarra and Anmore will strut their stuff on the catwalk on Saturday night, with the goal being to sport the biggest and best hat that represents their respective community.

"It comes from the idea that mayors wear all these different hats in their community," Matthews said. "With this being centennial, we wanted to reach out to mayors throughout Metro Vancouver to help draw attention to Port Moody's centennial celebrations and to the event itself."

The other traditional, go-to awards include Student, Best in Show and People's Choice, while the final centennial-specific award will bring into focus the concept of 100.

The Second Life category is also back, and is meant to spotlight the idea of re-purposed material in any form.

In fact, the 2011 Second Life winner - South Carolina native Susan Lenz - dumpster dove at cemeteries and used the fake, discarded flowers in her piece "Cemetery Leaf Dress."

"It's the idea of recycling, but taking the garment to the next level," Matthews said of the Second Life award. "We wanted to get away from just the things that you put in your recycling box and open it up for people to think more creatively about how something could be re-used in a different way."

The Wearable Art Awards kick off at 6: 30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16. The performance aspect of the show will take place over the course of both nights, though the Mayor's Hat Challenge happens Saturday, while the awards will be doled out on Sunday. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $10 for youths, and can be purchased by calling 604-931-2008 or in person at the Port Moody Arts Centre.

After the show wraps up, the art will be on display at the centre from Feb. 23 to March 14, during which time people can vote for the People's Choice award winner.

jkurucz@thenownews.com