Glitter Gala for a Great Cause.

Last weekend I attended the 1st Annual Seattle Goodwill Design Challenge, this event had previously been part of the Glitter Gala.  Due to it's popularity it was time for it to have it's own show.  The Goodwill cleared out the outlet center in the Seattle Sodo district and created the most incredible industrial chic runway for the design students to strut their stuff along.

And they had a popcorn machine overflowing all evening, making kernels just the way you want them.

This years theme is "Take Root and Bloom."

The first part of the show was a no-sew design challenge in which teams of two took to the fast pace 30min challenge of designing a full outfit.  In 30 mins.  Did I mention they only had 30 mins?

The winner used coffee filters as the ruffles for the sleeves, others created dress bustiers from duck tape and trains (as in for dresses) out of beach towels and flowers.  It was so much fun.  I am thinking that this might be for me next year.

Volleyball Chic.

Beach Towel Train Tushy.

The second piece of this evening showcased design students from local colleges, their task to repurpose Goodwill items into a look that best interpreted the theme.  They had only 20 mins to gather their items and over a month to design   Prizes were awarded in two categories:

Best Use of Materials - everything from duvet covers, bamboo beach mats to tablecloths.  The winner, Kevin Shu, reworked men's shirts into this sexy yet sophisticated women's look.  The back of this shirt was amazing, it had an open seam down the back.  I would totally wear it tomorrow.

Best Interpretation of the Theme - there were golden branch headpieces, ombre pieces and for the winner Rebecca Shoot - lots and lots of flowers.  This dress was vintage and futuristic all at the same time.  Loved it.

The top designers all get to move on to the Glitter Gala & Fashion Show for the Audience Choice award.

Did you know that the Seattle Goodwill helped train and find job placement for 9300 people last year from Tukwila to Bellingham?  That is incredible!  And the Glitter events are the main fundraiser outside of shopping the stores that fund their 9 training facilities.

So don't fret, you can still get in on the action, there are two events to go that you don't want to miss.

Glitter Gala & Fashion Show

Glitter Sale

A note on the glitter sale - all throughout the year Goodwill gathers the best items (think designer, vintage, estate) for this two day sale.  People camp out over night but my sources tell me that if you are there by 6am (I know) you will get in on the first round, and it's totally worth it.  I am going to be in California that weekend and I seriously contemplated changing my ticket.  

See you at the Glitter Gala.  But do you G'ah'la or G'A'la?  

TGIF

Kirsty