Outrageous fashion, high-seas humor, and a tidal wave of creativity will make a splash at an unique showing of Joan Matey’s Fishy Fashion costumes, as a special three month installation. Presented by local artist Joan Matey and the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR), the fun kicks off Tuesday, September 30, with a Grand Opening at 5:30 pm and the live Fishy Fashion Show at 6 pm, at the ANERR Nature Center, 108 Island Drive in Eastpoint, FL, at the foot of the St. George Island Bridge. The exhibit will be on display through December 31, 2025 and admission is free.

Since 2006, Fishy Fashions have dazzled audiences along the Forgotten Coast, blending pageantry and parody with jaw-dropping costumes made entirely from maritime cast-offs. This wildly imaginative and eco-conscious Fishy Fashion Exhibit will feature an unforgettable lineup of cleverly crafted coastal couture, made from flotsam, jetsam, and repurposed shoreline cast-offs. Attendees can see these one-of-a-kind ensembles up close, each designed using discarded ship sails, beach umbrellas, oyster sacks, sea nets, sponges, and other debris washed ashore. With nearly two decades of experience in crafting “Nautical Nonsense,” Joan brings humor and ingenuity to her work, demonstrating the beauty and potential of reclaimed materials through her intricate, nautical-themed designs.

On display will be several colorful, quirky characters’ costumes, like the intimidating Red Tide She-Devil, the brave St. George the Lionfish Slayer, the mysterious Beach Banditto, the rowdy Sea Vamp, the heroic Legionnaire de Mer, and royals Marine Antoinette and the Duchess of Dog Island. These costumes are made with insane detail, such as sponge busby helmets, belts of painted olive shells, and jackets adorned with medals crafted from old beach chair webbing.

For the Grand Opening on September 30, the ANERR staff will hit the runway in a fashion show, highlighting costumes that reflect today’s coastal challenges, like plastic infiltration and microplastics, while students from Franklin County Schools will also contribute sculptures and fashion accessories created from repurposed materials. Together, the exhibit blends art and science to raise awareness about marine debris and celebrate creative solutions.

A graduate of Florida State University’s Art Department, Joan first conceived the idea nearly 20 years ago inspired by various "trash fashion" shows that made statements about recycling. Since then, her Fishy Fashion characters have become crowd favorites at events across the Forgotten Coast, including the Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus Parade and the Carrabelle Culture Crawl. With this unique exhibit, visitors can enjoy the “Dos and Do Knots” of coastal couture in a whole new way. For more information, contact ANERR at (850) 670-7700.