Albert Einstein once said, “Creativity is intelligence having fun.” Truer words cannot be said of the 6th Annual Goodwill Runway Show ReDesign Contest winners, who — in three separate design categories — used innovation, imagination and skill to create winning designs from items found at their favorite Goodwill stores. The winners and their designs exemplify creativity and intelligence — along with great taste and style. With, of course, a few trips to Goodwill.
David Jones
Town: Kutztown
Occupation: Artist
Winning Categories: Accessories, Social Media Favorite
What is your first Goodwill memory?
Lots of clothes and used things.
What is your best-ever Goodwill find?
A pair of Milo Baughman lounge chairs with Jack Larsen fabric. They were very 70s.
Biggest regret not buying at Goodwill?
I have no regrets.
What inspires you as a designer?
It’s having your own voice.
Where did you find inspiration for your winning design?
Well, the inspiration came from taking exactly what I purchased — a copper and brass magazine rack and two Sterling-rimmed trays --—and using only that to make my pieces. It was a challenge and a riddle. I felt like people would need a thorough explanation to understand what I had done to get the end result.
What was the foundation of your design? What other materials did you use to achieve your full vision?
I used only what I bought from Goodwill: a magazine rack and the Sterling-rimmed trays, along with my skills as a metalsmith.
How long did the design process take you from concept to completed design?
If you include the search for appropriate items that I could use, it took quite some time. I find it difficult to calculate time spent making. Does more time mean nicer things? I am not sure on that one.
What’s your favorite Goodwill location in Berks County?
I typically go to the Shillington and 5th Street Highway Goodwill locations. If favorite means best find, I found the chairs at the 5th Street location and sold them that same day.
Describe your personal style.
My style is easier for someone that's not me to describe or pin down. Generally speaking, I am an artist and work for myself, so I can be whoever I want. I like that “should skate surf” vibe.
Most recent Goodwill purchase?
I have been using my two $100 gift cards to purchase mostly clothes. For me, a shopping spree for clothing at Goodwill is a commitment of at least two to three hours sifting through all the shirts, pants and clothing to find the “gems” that fit my style.
Who do you imagine wearing your Goodwill design? Where would he or she wear it?
My wife. Or perhaps Angelica Houston or Grace Jones. I see them wearing it for sleeping (hahaha), the red carpet, or at New York Fashion Week.
Modeled by Joie Formando
Rebecca Botvin
Town: Wyomissing
Occupation: Educational Aide
Winning Category: Re-Purpose the Dress
What is your first Goodwill memory?
I didn’t really shop at Goodwill until I moved to Pennsylvania from Vermont. A friend of mine asked me to “go shopping” with her, and we ended up at Goodwill. I was always a thrift shopper, but I’d never seen a Goodwill so large or with so many great clothing options. I rarely shop at a full-price clothing store anymore.
What is your best-ever Goodwill find?
Oddly enough, a set of Harry Potter bed sheets. I made them into a dress for my niece’s first day of school; it was a HUGE hit! Better yet, since it was bed sheet material, it doesn’t EVER need to be ironed!
Biggest regret not buying at Goodwill?
A bomber jacket. It was a little too small, so I would have had to alter it, and I didn’t want the hassle, so I passed. I still think about it.
What inspires you as a designer?
Comfort and color! Whatever I buy or make, I think, “will I wear this multiple times and can I wear it for an extended period and not be miserable?” That’s become more and more important to me. I like shapes that are organic and complement a person’s body. I’m also a minimalist at heart, so I don’t like to own anything without it having a specific purpose. I’d rather have 10 really great pieces in my closet instead of 50 just okay ones.
Where did you find inspiration for your winning design?
The re-purpose the dress category is a tricky one, especially during prom season. I wanted to do a totally different design, but the dresses that were available in Goodwill were bridal gowns and one bright green quinceanera dress. I found a silk top that I knew I wanted to use, and I stood in front of that green dress for an hour thinking. I didn’t want to make a dress out of a dress, and I need to incorporate the top. Short rompers (are they even still called that?) have been popular for a few seasons, so I decided on an evening jumpsuit with an overlay. Jumpsuits can be a great evening alternative, and it’s still young and trendy.
What was the foundation of your design?
What other materials did you use to achieve your full vision? The bulk of the design is made from a quinceanera dress and a silk blouse. The dress had many, many folds and appliques that I removed. I just needed the yardage and didn’t want all the bling. I lined the entire garment with the lining from the dress. The necklace in the back is from my own closet. I wanted some visual interest in the back, and it was just the right touch.
How long did the design process take you from concept to completed design?
It took me a couple of days to sketch out and tweak what I wanted to do, and then another day adjusting the pattern pieces. I sewed and finished the entire thing in a weekend, and then did another couple of hours of alterations once the model was fitted.
What’s your favorite Goodwill location in Berks County?
I like the Lancaster Avenue one [in Shillington] and the one across from Conrad Weiser High School.
Describe your personal style.
I dress like a 5-year-old. I like linen pants, peasant tops and a quirky necklace. If it’s got flowers on it, then even better! My college boyfriend broke up with me because he said that I wore too many flowers (there might have been more to it than that)! I also like a good dress, but that’s like a unicorn to find.
Most recent Goodwill purchase?
Back-to-school clothes for my kids and shorts for myself.
Who do you imagine wearing your Goodwill design?
Where would they wear it? Someone thin! I think it’s good for any age. It’s a great outfit for a semi-formal event or a work event. It could even be worn for an afternoon wedding.
Modeled by Sarah MacCombie
Susan MacCombie
Town: Hillsborough, NJ
Occupation: Retired
Winning Category: Avant Garde
What is your first Goodwill memory?
Going to a Goodwill store with my daughter when she was young and being amazed at all the choices.
What is your best-ever Goodwill find?
A beautifully beaded lace wedding gown with a matching train and veil. It was $16!
Biggest regret not buying at Goodwill?
No regrets. So far, I’ve bought everything!
What inspires you as a designer?
I like to use materials and design in unexpected ways, like combining stripes and plaids or turning a pair of jeans upside down to make a dress.
Where did you find inspiration for your winning design?
I love to watch old movies from the 1940s. I also love to cruise Pinterest for ideas!
What was the foundation of your design? What other materials did you use to achieve your full vision?
I used a little black dress as the base of my design. I had to add length to it, so I used the material from two other black dresses. I used the following items to make more than 50 flowers to add to it, creating a white swirl across the gown: metal wall décor, toothbrushes, plastic spoons, toy car wheels, clear plastic tray tops, two wedding gowns and veil, skirt, two white jackets, jewelry pieces, [and a] baseball cap with bling. With the exception of the thread used to put it all together, the gown is 100 percent created from Goodwill-Keystone items.
How long did the design process take you from concept to completed design?
I worked on it intensively for about a week, so about 30 hours. I actually visualized it right after the 2015 runway show. I mulled it for the following year and was always on the lookout for pieces I could incorporate. I started really putting it together in early March. So maybe, when all is said and done, it is more like 50 hours for everything.
What’s your favorite Goodwill location in Berks County?
I love the one in Shillington. It is so big, and that is where I seem to get the best buys.
Describe your personal style.
I like to put together pieces that blend well, and then I add a surprise element. It could be a scarf, a pair of earrings, a flashy top or all of them.
Most recent Goodwill purchase?
On the last 50 percent off Goodwill sale day I bought five wedding gowns. It was a great score!
Who do you imagine wearing your Goodwill design? Where would they wear it?
Since it is a long gown, I see it at a wedding reception or a company formal function. It is hard to see the floral pieces as what they really are, i.e. toothbrushes and plastic spoons. I see anyone wearing it that enjoys the look and monochromatic design.
Category Descriptions:
Avant Garde — Create an innovative look that is experimental and pushes the boundaries.
Re-Purpose the Dress — Transform a dress (wedding, prom, formal) into another article of clothing.
Accessories — Construct an accessory (handbag, hat, jewelry or shoes) using a variety of items.
Basic Info:
Contestants must shop at Goodwill to find their items. Then they redesign their finds and submit their entry to the contest. They can enter one category or all three.
Judging:
Of the entries received, the field is narrowed to about 16. Finalists get to have a one-on-one meeting with the three judges: Robyn Jones (publisher, Berks County Living), Vali Heist (owner of the Clutter Crew) and Sheila Martin (2015 ReDesign Winner). The judges get an opportunity to chat with the finalists, look at the redesign piece itself and learn about what items the designer used from Goodwill to make their piece. Then the finalists walk the runway the night of the show and winners are announced.
By Amanda Zeigler | Photos by Maria Stamy, Maria Stamy Photography
