Delaware might not be known for fashion, but shopping is a big part of the state’s economy. Even though it’s the second-smallest state, Delaware ranks fourth in the nation for the number of clothing stores, with about 93 stores per 100,000 people, according to an analysis by T-shirt wholesaler ShirtMax. This is notable as the global clothing market is expected to hit $2.25 trillion by 2025.
However, the fashion industry’s growth has also brought concerns about pollution, as millions of pounds of clothing are thrown away each year.
To highlight this issue, Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County held its first-ever ReThink Fashion Show: The Eco Edit. The event, held on August 23 at their New Castle facility, featured stylish outfits made from second-hand and upcycled clothing to encourage more sustainable fashion choices.
The event attracted a diverse group, including Delaware’s fashion influencers, sustainability advocates, and many others. Attendees enjoyed exclusive shopping opportunities, special discounts, and a runway show that displayed trendy looks created from donated clothing.
Besides the fashion, the event also showcased Goodwill’s workforce development programs, giving attendees a chance to support these initiatives.
The show was hosted by Beatrice Millan-Windorski, the first Filipino American to win Miss Earth USA. Local stylists Tia Jones, Akin Bethea, and Sienna Nelson curated the runway looks using items from Goodwill’s stores.
Fashion lover Tesia Shaykim, a Wilmington resident, attended to see unique and original designs on the runway. She wore a mix of thrifted and sale items and expressed that while she values creativity in fashion, supporting sustainable solutions is equally important due to the negative impacts of fast fashion worldwide.
Students from the University of Delaware’s Department of Fashion and Apparel Studies also participated, showcasing their textile-to-fiber fashion waste recycling project called ReSpool.
Attendees could buy many of the featured outfits, with proceeds supporting Goodwill’s workforce development programs. Earlier this month, Goodwill launched Goodwill Connect, a program offering access to job training resources.
Goodwill’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond fashion. The organization’s New Castle recycling center is a hub for their recycling efforts. Colleen Morrone, Goodwill’s president and CEO, emphasized their dedication to upcycling and recycling materials like textiles, plastics, cardboard, and glass.
Recently, they acquired a machine named Sandy to transform donated glass into sand, preventing it from ending up in landfills. The sand will be repurposed and sold for uses such as filler for sandbags and construction material.