Press release from Color Me Goodwill:
Seven local fashion designers will compete in the 5th Color Me Goodwill fashion show, which takes place Friday, April 26, at The Orange Peel. Tickets are on sale and are $20 each. “We have been fortunate that our show sells out, so if you want to ensure your opportunity to see this fantastic upcycled show, buy them today” said Pam Anglin, VP of Marketing and Communications. “This show includes incredible local designers who present their color-inspired collections reconstructed from items found in local Goodwill stores. Please join us to celebrate innovation, creativity, and meet some inspiring Goodwill client models who now have opportunity and hope.”
Each designer receives $125 to shop for supplies at area Goodwill stores, which they deconstruct and rebuild to create color-inspired collections. The show features local models, including clients from Goodwill’s employment and job training programs. A panel of expert judges selects the first-place winner, who receives a $500 cash prize. The audience also votes on their favorite designer, who receives $200.
The designers competing, and their assigned colors, are:
- Red Collection – Leanna Echeverri
- Green Collection – Stina Andersen
- Black Collection – Jon Pierce
- Blue Collection – Birgeta Mannikan/ Ray Fawley
- Brown Collection – Royal Peasantry
- Silver Collection – Art Blue
- Yellow Collection – Caleb Owolabi
“In each of the four previous Color Me Goodwill shows, six designers presented collections,” said Sarah Merrell, who has been the Color Me Goodwill show director since it launched in 2015. “This year, the pool of designers was so competitive that we decided to expand to seven collections. So, for the show’s fifth year, the audience will get to enjoy even more stunning fashions walking the runway.”
“Color Me Goodwill has been standing room-only every year, which generates a lot of positive buzz for the designers, models, and make-up and hair artists,” said Anglin, “We’re excited about continuing to showcase the talented fashion professionals working in Asheville. And the event reminds the community of the unique finds available in Goodwill stores, and of how those purchases support Goodwill’s employment programs.”
Leanna Echeverri’s Marie Antoinette-inspired collection won both the first-place prize and the audience favorite award in the 2018 Color Me Goodwill show. She is the only designer to have competed in Color Me Goodwill every year. She operates Grateful Threads Asheville.
Stina Andersen competed in the very first Color Me Goodwill in 2015, designing the Blue Collection. She is the owner of ARTeries Mobile Boutique and is well known in the Asheville fashion community for her colorful designs and use of upcycled materials.
Jon Pierce returns to Color Me Goodwill after debuting in the 2018 show with his Pokemon-inspired Red Collection. Based in Greenville, S.C., he frequently designs for Asheville-area fashion shows and photo shoots.
Birgeta Mannikan is competing in Color Me Goodwill for the first time. She recently began transitioning to fashion after designing hand bags for the past seven years. She is a past winner of the Costume Drama Fashion Show, and is accustomed to working with unconventional materials.
Since 1999, Royal Peasantry has rescued cast-off clothing, upholstery, leather and other materials, transforming them into impeccably made garments and accessories. Their contemporary designs, all made by local craftspeople, evoke timeless and primal magic. Royal Peasantry Boutique operates in downtown Asheville. Collections are also available in their new Charlotte boutique and online Etsy store.
Art Blue, another first-timer, started his reconstructed vintage-inspired line 10 years ago, which he has sold at Vintage Moon, Hip Replacements, Honeypot, Twice Round and The Downtown Market. Last summer he designed for Asheville Community Theatre’s “Costume Drama: A Fashion Show,” creating an Asian-inspired gown out of 800 pieces of decorative paper.
Caleb Owolabi returns to Color Me Goodwill for the third time. In addition to his fashion start-up Mon Jean Pierre, Caleb participates in local fashion events as a designer and stylist. He has also volunteered his skills to Goodwill’s Youth Services program, coaching at-risk teens on how to dress neatly and professionally with a limited budget.
This year’s judges include Heather Stefani with blu29 Denim and Décor, Charles Josef, founder of Charles Josef Bridal, Brooke Williams with Tony Townie, and Patricia Martin Betts with Sophie Magazine.
The Orange Peel Box Office are selling the tickets again this year. The $20 ticket includes hors d’oeuvres served during a cocktail hour beginning at 6 p.m. The show begins at 7 p.m.
For more information on Color Me Goodwill please visit www.colormegoodwill.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.