Lights! Models! Garbage! Taiwan designer turns electrical waste into fashion

Wang Li-ling, who upcycles old wires and bolts from the power industry to dress up clothes, thanks guests for coming to her fashion show in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Reuters

Inspiration for high fashion can come from strange places. For one Taiwanese designer, it's upcycling old wires and bolts from the power industry. Wang Li-ling, 36, scours dumps, picking up old bits of metal and wires from Taiwan's main electricity supplier to add extra flair to her clothes.

"For example, there's quite a lot of material from Taipower (Taiwan Power Company) that they have phased out," Wang explained in her studio.