This year’s electrifying Goodwill Runway Show kicked off with finalists from the redesign contest showing off original designs crafted from items purchased at Goodwill stores. According to Emily Walker, Goodwill’s Director of Special Events, the redesign portion of the show has grown in popularity year after year – this year bringing in 29 entries. Most popular was the Avant Garde category, followed by a new one for 2015: Repurpose the Dress. After speaking with the judges one on one, each contestant walked the runway and waited for the news. Meet this year’s winners and learn a bit more about them in our Q&A.
Social Media Fan Favorite
Kirsten Keim-Shendge
42, Marketing Manager, Birdsboro
Where did you get the inspiration for your redesign?
It was really a second thought; I saw the dress at the Morgantown store and it caught my eye, but I didn’t buy it my first visit. I went back later and it was still there, so I thought it was meant to be. The beautiful orange color is what originally drew me to the dress, and then I could tell that it was an original design, late 1960s vintage. It had a beautiful silkscreen and even had the designer’s name in the back of the dress. I think it might have been someone’s fashion school project or something.
What was the most challenging aspect of the re-design process?
The dress was actually very well put together, but the zipper needed to be cut down. Luckily, it was plastic and my mom had experience with that, so she was able to help. Another challenge was that I didn’t want the dress to have sleeves, so I cut them off and made them into a handbag, and I used a gold collar necklace to gather the dress around the neck.
Which of your materials were from Goodwill?
The dress was from Goodwill, as well as the handbag. I had the gold collar necklace in my jewelry collection, and the vintage pin at the waist was my grandmother’s.
Describe your re-design in one word.
I really want to say Vintage Modern, but that is two words. I was envisioning something from Mad Men.
Where do you get your creativity from?
Whenever I see an interesting object, a piece of clothing or something else, the ideas just start flowing. I am usually attracted to something because of its color, uniqueness, or originality, anything that I can tell someone really worked hard to hand make; I just want to make it my own but honor the original at the same time.
How did it feel to see/show your re-design off on the runway?
I love it; every year it gets better. I love getting feedback from friends, and I enjoy being part of the excitement of fashion. Even though I work in a financial institution I can still have a creative aspect.
What are your other artistic talents?
I play piano, and I have a degree in graphic design and commercial art.
The fringe is made from mini blinds!
Avant Garde
Susan MacCombie
52, Retired Manager of Distribution, Hillsborough, NJ
Where did you get the inspiration for your redesign?
I really love working with wedding dresses; they have a story, and I like to honor that. I liked the zipper/asymmetrical look, and I also knew I wanted to do an Edwardian collar, which I made out of a lampshade. I also wanted some swing in the skirt, so I found some mini blinds, and it worked great.
What was the most challenging aspect of the re-design process?
Getting the darn lampshade to work; I heated it, bent it, and I even broke a couple in the process.
Which of your materials were from Goodwill?
The wedding dress, two pairs of white jeans, a raincoat for the zipper and lining, Venetian blinds for the skirt, and a lampshade.
Designer Susan with her daughter, Sarah MacCombie, modeling her redesign.
Describe your re-design in one word.
That’s tough; it is Avant Garde. How about “youthful?”
Where do you get your creativity from?
When I walk into a store, I look for an attractive element: the color, collar, an interesting design aspect. I find other attractive items to complement it, and then I combine them. I have always sewn, been crafty, but in a practical way rather than an artsy one.
How did it feel to see/show your re-design off on the runway?
AWESOME! I was so happy just to get picked as a finalist, and winning was the icing on the cake. Everyone had such great energy at the show; I really couldn’t believe how great it was.
What are your other artistic talents?
Quilting, upcycling, weaving, knitting…I love looking at Goodwill and secondhand stores; I make a day of it and can hit seven stores on Route 422 between Hershey and Reading. It is so much fun.
Repurpose the Dress
SheIla Martin
64, Lighting Sales Representative, Birdsboro
Where did you get the inspiration for your redesign?
I saw the ad for the contest and I wanted to create a practical piece of clothing that would be worth the blood, sweat and tears. I am in sales, so I thought a spring coat would be useful for everyday wear, and I convinced myself that I had the skill and time to execute a design that I would be proud of.
What was the most challenging aspect of the re-design process?
The sleeves. I discovered that I didn’t have enough in the skirt material to complete the sleeves the way that I wanted to. So I engineered a black cuff and black gusset to make the full sleeve I envisioned. I wanted to make a design that was up to couture standards, so I made a fully finished inside lining and also incorporated the French seams, a dressmaker’s technique.
Which of your materials were from Goodwill?
I made a pledge to myself that I would not cheat or ball the whole design up and quit! I used all materials from Goodwill: the oyster white skirt, copper gown and lining, and black bridesmaid dress. I did use the elastic belt from my accessories; I think it was from the 1990s.
Describe your re-design in one word.
Successful! I did it!
Where do you get your creativity from?
I think it must have been third grade when someone said I was good at art, and I ran with it. I started seriously sewing in junior high, and my first career was in fashion apparel with Sears. It evolved into interior design and decorating throughout my life.
How did it feel to see/show your re-design off on the runway?
It was so awesome! It was an out-of-the-blue opportunity, and it brought me back to my teenage years. My mom and best friends were there, and to have all of those well-wishers was awesome. I loved it; I even loved the rehearsal.
What are your other artistic talents?
I have been sewing since seventh grade and good at it since ninth; my mother had four daughters and she made us complete home economics. Then we could sew.
Accessories
Jeanette Diebold
42, Global Marketing Designer, Telford
Where did you get the inspiration for your redesign?
I knew I wanted to enter the accessories re-design and that a lot of previous entries were handbags and shoes, so I wanted to do something different. The idea of a shawl came to me because it is always hard to find something to cover your shoulders, especially something more formal. I liked the texture of the sequins and the feathers and thought that would be unique.
What was the most challenging aspect of the re-design process?
There are so many creative options; the most challenging part is deciding which direction to take.
Which of your materials were from Goodwill?
The sequin material was a child’s tutu, and the feathers were attached to a Halloween mask. I had these two pieces first; I was looking for a bright fabric to go with them and came across the blue dress. All of it was from Goodwill.
Describe your re-design in one word.
Jazzy.
Where do you get your creativity from?
Lately I get a lot of ideas from Pinterest, and I have found that a lot of re-designs I see lean toward a Chanel inspiration. My mom used to make clothes and costumes for me and my two sisters; I would have ideas to combine different things to make a new look, and she would execute the designs.
How did it feel to see/show your re-design off on the runway?
The best part is seeing the reaction from the audience, like when someone in the crowd taps their friend on the shoulder to tell her how much she loves it; that is the best part.
What are your other artistic talents?
I went to school for graphic design. I also love photography and gardening, and I love passing on my creativity to my children. Seeing them visually tell stories through different mediums is how I see my artistic talent being passed on.
Special thanks to: Jan Rae, Penn Avenue, West Reading, for playing host to our models/designers for the photo shoot!
By Amanda Acuna | Photos by Rose Rossello, Rossello Photography
