After a three-year hiatus, the popular Color Me Goodwill upcycled fashion show returned on Friday, April 29, before a sold-out audience at The Orange Peel in downtown Asheville.
Seven local fashion designers and teams competed in the 6th annual Color Me Goodwill, presenting color-inspired runway collections made from repurposed clothing and items found at Goodwill stores. Each collection included a model who has participated in one of Goodwill’s employment and training programs. During the show, videos that introduced each collection and shared the clients’ stories. Watch the videos on Goodwill’s YouTube channel.
“This show celebrates the incredible creativity and innovation of our local maker community,” said emcee Tammy Jones. “But we’re also here to celebrate hope. If you’ve ever been out of a job, you know how discouraging it can be. And if you’re someone who has additional barriers like a disability, or a criminal record, or lack of education, it can seem hopeless. Goodwill doesn’t just help people with training and job placement. It helps people find hope again.”
Designers compete for $500 first prize awarded by a panel of expert judges and a $200 prize based on audience votes. The 6th annual Color Me Goodwill designers were:
First Place Winner:
The Three Graces – Orange Collection
Goodwill Model: Demetrius Strickland, Community Access Program
Audience Choice Winner:
Sugar Britches – Gold Collection
Goodwill Model: Brian Dunn, Community Access Program
Art Blue – Green Collection
Goodwill Model: Angel Boone, Goodwill Career Connections/Project Re-Entry
Ray Fawley – Gray Collection
Goodwill Model: Annie Allen, Goodwill Skills Training Program
Jenna Jaffe – Purple Collection
Goodwill Model: Erika Bowman, Project Re-Entry/Goodwill Career Connections/EDGE Program
Mama Trash – Blue Collection
Goodwill Model: Libby Whitley, Project Re-Entry/EDGE Program
Shepp McManus – Red Collection
Goodwill Model: Andie Jackson, Goodwill Career Connections
This year’s Color Me Goodwill judges were bridal gown designer and past Color Me Goodwill designer Charles Josef; Renee Walden, manager of Virtue Boutique; Danielle Chaboudy, owner of Enchanted Forest consignment boutique; and Sarah Merrell, model and past Color Me Goodwill show director. Judges score the collections’ originality, construction of garments, creative use of materials and overall cohesiveness.
View photos from the 6th Annual Color Me Goodwill fashion show.