FROM THE BINS TO THE RUNWAY
A dozen talented designers and stylists. Unfettered access to the Goodwill bins. An unforgettable fashion show.
Debuted at Goodwill Central Texas’ annual gala, the 2024 Good Looks fashion show showcased incredible one-of-akind designs and styles created from repurposed Goodwill finds.
Huge thanks to our amazing designers, stylists, and models for showing us how cool sustainable fashion can be and inspiring us to embrace secondhand style!
Scan the code below to read more about our 2024 gala, A Good Night for Goodwill. bit.ly/GoodPeople2024Q4
Throw in the Towel
The Goodwill bins are a treasure trove of unique fabrics. Using two silk curtains and a vintage towel, Heather Olsen of Wear Trash was able to make matching separates, a loose coverup, and a slouchy purse.
“I believe we each have a deep desire to be more intimately involved in the ancient arts of survival and home-making. We desire to craft things with our hands, to experience the delight of delayed gratification, the tactile satisfaction of learning an ancient skill, and to wear something that is as unique as we are.”
Off the Chain
Marisa Garza of KEFI by MG has an eye, and eyeglasses, for design. ”The inspiration for my eyewear accessories came from thrifting this bold vintage red coat and polka dot puffy sleeve button-down. The striking color and 80s influence led me to design oversized blue and red button-themed accessories. Incorporating metallic accents was my way of modernizing the look while tying everything together with metallic chains. I always strive to create memorable looks that reflect my brand’s mission to inspire others to be bold, be unique, and be KEFI confident.”
Swift Tailor
Jillian Colin knows how to curate a thrifted look. This ensemble, inspired by the circular fashion movement, was assembled entirely from secondhand purchases and repaired by a local clothing artisan here in Austin.
“The jacket is vintage and was purchased at Goodwill. The skirt and top set were previously an early 2000’s Roberto Cavalli runway piece that I redesigned and had upcycled by Brandy Design Studio. My shoes are vintage Calvin Klein and were cobbled by Austin Shoe Hospital. My bag is secondhand and was purchased on eBay.”
Pretty Tough
Mother/Daughter duo Carol Hargus and Melissa Hargus Pierce of Soul Studio designed this outfit with a clear vision in mind. “The set we designed was intended to embody the soft and feminine nature of the flowers we dye withbut also an edgy take juxtaposing the meaning of Femininity.
The top we sourced from ‘the bins’ was a white lace button-down with pink stains all over it-so the color of the stains demanded a pink dye job in order to give it a new life-a backless, boxy, long sleeve lace top. From there we sourced white Men’s button-down shirts, typically worn in business settings. We wanted to flip the script and turn them into a pink-eco-printed, pleated mini skirt. Overall it’s a feminist statement. We also created the baroque pearl jewelry for the set made with pearls in the shapes of “swords” and hearts.”
| Binny Kim | Alexa Calderon | Hayden Warzek | Modeling designs by Shop Ugly Flex
You Plaid Me at Hello
Peep this trio of looks made entirely from thrifted men’s buttondowns! Alexa Calderon of Shop UglyFlex is a master of turning overlooked fabrics into fashion statements. Each piece now tells a unique, new story.
“This mini collection, in all forms of plaid, combines patterns and colors to represent that beauty can lie in the chaos. The purpose of the collection is to highlight completely new, madeto-last garments being made out of unconventional materials to highlight conscious consumption. The garments prove that a true flex emerges from the unexpected.”
Put a Pin in it
Originally a no-sew tailoring hack, Lance Bolastig chose to place safety pins on the outer seam of the pants to create a visual element and achieve a kick flair look.
The top of the look features a white Guayabera with a safety pin cropped cream denim jacket, allowing the jacket length to be lengthened and shortened at will to create different silhouettes.
Finally, the olive green bag was added for texture and color while maintaining the more muted look of the outfit. “I also felt like having a bag made the outfit more me as I never leave the house without a bag, tote, or crossbody because fashion and functions should always coexist!” By adorning the bag with different pins, trinkets, and even a massive paperclip (all of which were collected over the years at different local art markets or as gifts from friends), Lance is able to inject this custom look with his own personality.
Fringe Movement
Talk about a transformation! Corinne Loperfido knows all about deconstruction and reconstruction, taking fabrics found in the Goodwill bins and expertly reinventing them with tie-dye, careful stitching, and plenty of fringe. The resulting outfits tell a powerful message about sustainability and the environment.
”I chose these fabrics to represent the excessive water used in the production of fast fashion and the fact that overconsumption is killing our earth. Most items today are also made out of plastic (aka polyester) which takes over 200 years to break down and is toxic to all life on earth.
By upcycling these items instead of sending them directly to the landfill, I hope that my work can inspire people to think about how they participate in the fast fashion industry as a designer or a consumer and to think twice before buying cheap, unethically made clothes.”
by Corinne Loperfido
A Stitch in Time
Whether it’s salvaged quilts or thrifted denim, Sleep, Never alchemizes pre-existing materials into elevated apparel and couture. Focused on quality, fit, and inclusivity, Sleep, Never expertly crafts timeless high-quality clothing for every body type, identity, and occasion.
When asked about her vivid hand-made ensemble, design student Jennifer Flores Reyes explained that “This look is deeply inspired by my childhood when my mom would dress me in frilly dresses that made me feel beautiful and carefree. I wanted to bring that nostalgic feeling into my present with a fresh, grown-up twist.
The tiered mini dress, made from a repurposed burgundy tablecloth with floral embroidery, carries that same sense of playfulness and charm. The oversized detachable collar, with black gathered trimming made from old curtains, gives a nod to those frilly details I loved as a kid but with a bolder look. Underneath, I layered a thrifted long-sleeve button-down to add contrast and balance. Together, completing a look that blends the warmth of childhood memories with a modern edge. By using thrifted materials, this outfit is also about reinventing the past for today.”
Lace and
Grace
A beautiful mixture of delicate doilies, crocheted fabric, and a hint of sequin, Ashley Alizor assembled and then dyed this beautiful intricate dress and headwrap to create a show-stopping look.
“I was inspired by the 1930s glamour and the art of crochet, as well as by African and Indigenous people and headwraps. These elements came together to reflect a blend of vintage and cultural influences in my piece.”
Allstar Elena Cortez knows how to keep it cool under pressure. She designed and executed an amazing and complex outfit from entirely thrifted materials, only to learn an hour before call time that her model was too sick to attend the fashion show!
With no time to spare, she was able to assemble this look with thrifted and upcycled items from her own closet, effortlessly combining masculine and feminine pieces to create this striking look.
THANK YOU
to all of our incredible stylists, designers, artists, and models.
Heather Olsen @wear_trash
Heather is the founder of Wear Trash and a passionate advocate for extending the life of existing textiles, which, in turn, reduces our reliance on the devastating and inhumane practices of the Fast Fashion industry.
Alexa Calderon @shopuglyflex
Alexa is the founder of UglyFlex, a brand that is part of the movement towards conscious consumption, proving that a true flex is knowing beauty can emerge from things that our culture deems ugly.
Loriza Ibarra @refind_shopping
Loriza is a sustainability advocate and the founder of reFIND, a fashion platform that believes in a future where fashion thrives without compromising our planet.
Hayden Warzek @haydenwarzek
Hayden is a business leader, personal coach, and musician. He has helped build up several Austin tech start ups, as well as performed at festivals and venues internationally. His music project has amassed millions of streams.
Madeline Hollern @madelinehollern
A proud graduate of the University of Texas, Madeline Hollern has been a professional magazine editor since 2007. She is currently the editor-in-chief of Austin Monthly.
Marisa Garza @marisagarza26
Marisa is the visionary founder of KEFI by MG, a unique and fashionable eyewear brand where she fused her passion and profession together to create art for any wearer.
Binny Kim @binnaaa
Binny is an IT professional with 7 years of experience in the automotive industry and specializes in SAP. Sustainability has always been an interest and practice at home to minimize carbon footprint where possible.
Aaron Torres @sleep__never
Aaron’s brand Sleep, Never aims to challenge the fashion industry and the status quo by utilizing pre-existing or sustainable fabrics to create completely new and one-ofa-kind handmade creations.
Jillian Carey Colin @jilliancareycolin
Jillian is a sustainable fashion expert, stylist, and vintage curator who believes that the only way forward for fashion is by regenerating and re-contextualizing what we already have–and looking iconic while we do it.
Lance Bolastig @lahhhnce_db
Lance is a thrifting enthusiast who prioritizes fashion while keeping the planet in mind. He uses his platform to advocate for sustainable shopping, with a reminder that you can look good while doing good for the Earth!
Jennifer Flores Reyes @jenniferfloresreyes
Jennifer is a fourthyear student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Textiles and Apparel Design and a minor in Media and Entertainment Industries at the University of Texas at Austin.
Cynthia Bernard @atxyogagirl
Cynthia is the founder of ATX Yoga Girl and a Certified Adult and Children’s Yoga and Meditation Teacher. She uses a combination of these holistic practices to help clients invite more presence into their daily lives.
Carol Hargus and Melissa Hargus Pierce @wearesoulstudio
This Mother/Daughter duo created Soul Studio with the intention of showcasing natural dyes as a wearable artform. Their work embodies the beauty of nature through the lens of fashion.
Corinne Loperfido @corinneloperfido
Corinne is a social practice artist focused on using materials that would have ended up in a landfill in an effort to minimize her own impact and inspire others to reconsider their participation in extractive capitalism.
Ashley Alizor @shopalizor
With a passion for remixing thrifted clothes and creating sustainable fashion pieces, Ashley created her brand, The Alizor, to give new life to old clothing.
Jordan Moser @jordanmoser____
Jordan is a songwriter and filmmaker. Upon retiring from a decade-long career as a professional dancer, Jordan rekindled his lifelong love of songwriting and found community in the Austin music scene.
Elena Cortez @elenafromaustin
The founder and CEO of Abilitee Adaptive Wear and Futurekind Studio, Elena’s work shows just how fabulous inclusive design can be.
Is getting organized your New Year’s Resolution?
Start the new year off right by donating your unused items to Goodwill to keep them out of landfills and help fund programs that provide education, career training, and job opportunities to Central Texans in need. This year, feel great about doing some good!