ursuline college

By Abby and Elle

Wow. What a show! Before we even get to the fashions (photos below!), can we just tell you how elegant the entire evening was? This was the second year for the Goodwill Good Style Fashion Show, and they know how to host a party.

The Cleveland Botanical Garden was a lovely setting for a fashion show. Guests — and our guess is there were a couple hundred — feasted on a seemingly endless supply of heavy hors d’ouvres (risotto cakes, grilled veggies, dried fruit, cheese and crackers — there was meat stuff, too, but we’re vegetarians, so we didn’t care) and dark-chocolate covered strawberries, perfectly paired for us with a refreshing glass of Pinot Grigio. We resisted bidding on any of the jewelry and other items in the silent auction, but not for lack of interest or appeal.

First up for the runway show was the Ursuline College “Merchandised” Goodwill Garments, where students in the college’s fashion design program bought items from Goodwill and matched them with items they already had or purchased elsewhere. Next on the catwalk were the inspirations from three Cleveland-area fashion bloggers, each of whom were given $100 to spend at Goodwill and challenged to come up with as many outfits as they could. Finally, the Ursuline fashion students showed off their “redesigned” Goodwill garments, items they bought and then turned into something else — sometimes completely different.

We not only had a terrific night out, but we also learned that Goodwill is all about helping thousands of people in the community develop employment and life skills. Through its retail stores, the organization diverted more than 22 million pounds of clothing from landfills and gave $100,000 worth of merchandise to needy families through its voucher program in 2011. Dang stylish, if we don’t say so ourselves.

We were so inspired by the show and the array of frugal fashions that we’ve challenged ourselves to find at least two complete outfits for less than $40 at Goodwill in the coming month. What a great way to support a great organization. Be sure to check back to our blog to see what fashion ideas we come up with. Oh, and enjoy our picks from the show:

Ursuline student Jodi Scimone’s combo of Eddie Bauer tweed skirt, yellow floral pattern blouse with built-in tie collar (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Kianna Coggins paired a black lace shirt with a black yoke skirt, adding gold earrings (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s combo featuring polka dot dress and tan leather backpack (total cost $12) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Tanisha Ramsey coupled a Limited black mini with an aqua princess-seamed blouse, adding a vintage paisley scarf and black sunglasses (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Susan Hayley Fox’s redesign of a little black dress with satin detachable peplum (total cost $20) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Erica Williams paired this Banana Republic black sweater and boot-cut stretch satin pants with a black and white houndstooth blazer and lilac scarf (total cost $23) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s creation featuring girlie blouse, plaid circle skirt and ’60s snakeskin purse (total cost $14) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Two thumbs up: Ursuline student Brittany Mendez transformed a black dress sequined with Swarovski crystals into a gorgeous top (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Fashion blogger Lauren Pfieffer’s combo of dainty floral dress and basketweave clutch (Dress: $6) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Ursuline student Melinda Arko modeling chic day outfit with a custom-made belt with a rhinestone clasp (total cost $24) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

This gets our vote: Ursuline student Jacqueline Hutchinson created this stunner from men’s shirts (total cost $25) (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Back view of Ursuline student Jacqueline Hutchinson’s creation. How about those boots?! (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

Good Style Show guest Bethany, who is excited that Cleveland is getting a fashion scene, crafted this stunning top herself (Photo: Stephen Travarca)

By Abby

Stylish Goodwill find

What does Goodwill know about fashion? Well you might not know but Goodwill puts on a fashion show every year. I spoke with Robyn Steinmetz, Marketing Manager at Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland & East Central Ohio, who said, “Our team was looking for a ‘feature event’ to hold in the Cleveland area that would truly highlight the amazing merchandise that you can find in a Goodwill store.” Goodwill works in tandem with Ursuline fashion design students to take thrift finds and turn them into runway-worthy pieces.

But, again, what does Goodwill know about fashion? It’s in the name of their show: Good Style. Love that, and here’s why: Style is different than fashion. Style is something that develops from the inside and then shows on the outside. Fashion, on the other hand, can be bought. Style is the ability to eye an item and know you’ll look — and feel — great in it. And because you look and feel great, you present yourself with confidence. That’s style. Fashion is about trends, which can translate into often wearing things that really don’t suit your body or perhaps your personality. Just because Goodwill sells second-hand items, doesn’t mean it’s not jampacked with style. It’s all in what you choose and how you put it together; to wit, the Ralph Lauren short-sleeved turtleneck and a Tapemeasure open-knit top, both found at the same time at a local Goodwill. The look is completed with silk scarf with an Asian-influenced print.

Even though “fashion” is in the name of our blog, what we’re really talking about is style. We’ll be attending the Good Style Fashion Show this Thursday, May 3. Afterward we’ll share how it went and all the great items we saw.