ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — In a city known for its creative streak, an old pair of jeans or a forgotten curtain panel might soon find new life under stage lights at The Orange Peel.
The 10th annual Color Me Asheville by Goodwill fashion show returns April 17, turning castoffs into couture and marking a milestone year for Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina. Tickets are now on sale for the event, which blends sustainability, local artistry and philanthropy in one high-energy evening downtown.
What began as a creative challenge has grown into one of the area’s most anticipated spring events. Six design teams will compete for a $500 audience-voted prize, each transforming secondhand finds from Goodwill stores into runway-ready collections. Designers are given $200 to shop for materials, which they then deconstruct and reimagine around an assigned color theme.
This year’s show carries added significance: It coincides with the 100th anniversary of Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, founded in 1926. In addition to their color assignments, designers selected a decade from the past century to inspire their looks, drawing on fashion trends from flapper-era fringe to modern silhouettes.
It’s a celebration of creativity and community, Ginger Salt, Goodwill’s chief communications and public affairs officer, said in a news release, noting the event highlights the organization’s history and its mission-driven future.
The competing teams represent a mix of returning crowd favorites and newcomers: Rosie Baker; Corium (Amelia Hamilton, Aurora Gilley and Aria Gilley); Michelle MacFarlane; MPP McFabricators (Sandy McDaniel and Kayren McKnight); Mackenzie Palermo; and The Three Graces (Charlotte Murphy, Susan Sertain and Hannah Wood).
A special presentation will feature Sheila Thibodeaux, a local artist and designer who won the 2024 Color Me Asheville competition and previously captured the audience vote in 2022 as part of the Sugar Britches team.
Beyond the runway, the show supports a broader cause. Proceeds will benefit Bounty & Soul, a nonprofit based in Black Mountain that partners with regional farms and community organizations to expand access to fresh produce, wellness education and resources aimed at addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
For the second consecutive year, Goodwill has designated a local nonprofit to receive support through the event. Lance Crawford, Goodwill’s district director of workforce development, said Bounty & Soul’s focus on fresh-food distribution and whole-person wellness aligns naturally with the spirit of Color Me Asheville.
Seated tickets are $30 and standing tickets are $25, with a $10 livestream option available for those who prefer to watch from home. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are available exclusively through The Orange Peel box office. More information is available at ColorMeAsheville.org.
