Friday, November 19, 2010

A 2010 Glitter Sale Thank You!


The 27th Annual Glitter Sale was a resounding success, and we have only you to thank. All of you!

From the our generous donors who think of us when they clean out their closets and empty their drawers to our tireless volunteers who spend hours behind the scenes readying racks of clothing and cases of jewelry,

From our wonderful local media who share our story with their readers, listeners, viewers, followers and fans to our loyal shoppers, who brave the weather, the traffic and the crowds to shop for a cause.

This year's Glitter Sale raised over $158,000, all of which supports job training and education in our community. Because jobs change lives. Thank you all.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

They Came, They Saw, They Shopped!

The lines

were long.

The PEMCO Insurance Wally van was serving doughnuts and coffee.


The Seattle Storm's mascot, Doppler, entertained the crowds.


Our own inimitable Gary Foy was on the bullhorn counting down the minutes.


Then the doors opened!


There were racks of shoes,


aisles of dresses,


and cases of jewelry.


What a great day!




Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Waiting With WALLY



Thanks to PEMCO, the WALLY (We're A Lot Like You) truck arrived at the Glitter Sale bright and early to distribute yummy Top Pot Doughnuts and hot Tully's coffee. It made waiting in line all that more fun! Thanks for the memories.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Still Searching for Sequins?

There's no need to curb your appetite for sequins just yet. That's right, unsold merchandise from the Glitter Sale will soon find its way to all eighteen Seattle Goodwill retail outlets listed below. Sequins. Rhinestones. Sparkle. Shine. Visit the store nearest you for more glitter!

Monday, November 15, 2010

What A Weekend It Was!


If you shopped the Glitter Sale, you'll love this video posted today on the Seattle Times website. If you couldn't make this year's Glitter Sale, here's what you missed!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Let's Glitter--Tomorrow!

We're ready to glitter! Hope you are too!! You'll find vintage, designer, brand-name and holiday clothing, shoes, bags, belts and jewelry at the Glitter Sale tomorrow beginning at 9 am. See you there!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

This year our shoe offerings include amazing designer names from Jimmy Choo to Manolo Blahnik, from Herbert Levine to Roger Vivier. And then there is this beautiful pair of woven textile flats from the Parisian shoemaker Stephane Kelian,
not to mention these fun rhinestone encrusted leather flats by Marc Jacobs. I love the lavender lining!
And look at the heels on these Kate Spade sandals. They're out of this world! You'll also find shoes by Ferragamo, Prada, and Yves St. Laurent. And they all could be yours in a matter of days. Don't miss the Glitter Sale, Sat. and Sun, November 13 and 14, from 9 am to 6 pm at our Dearborn St. Store. I'll see you there!



Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Top It Off!

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to dress up for the holidays is to top off a favorite skirt or or trouser with something festive. That's why we love glamorous, glittery tops like this fabulous tank of screaming pink paillettes.

Or this festive green sequin body suit--it's Oleg Cassini. (I love the long sleeves.)

This seasonal red tank has both black and red beading. It is gorgeous.
And this all-over sequin jacket--made up of green, gold, blue, black and purple sequins--is quite the show-stopper!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Get Ready to Glitter! Tips for Shopping

The Glitter Sale is only days away. Make the most of this fabulous event by following these useful tips:
  • Take a number for assistance at the jewelry counter. Numbers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Outfits from the Glitter Gala fashion show will be on specially marked racks.
  • Glitter Sale clothing and accessories (shoes, purses, belts, hats) are returnable. Glitter Sale jewelry is NOT returnable.
  • Wear a leotard or swimsuit to try on clothes; there are no dressing rooms.
  • Pick up a blue mesh shopping bag when you arrive; shopping carts are not allowed.
  • Ask a friend to join you for fun and advice.
  • Bring an open mind. Goodwill shopping is always a treasure hunt, and the Glitter Sale is no exception. Your never know what you might find.
Remember, all proceeds from the Glitter Sale support Goodwill's free job training and education programs in the community.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Roger Vivier: "The Faberge of Footwear"


These exquisite silver pumps with rhinestone buckles are the creation of "the Faberge of Footwear," Roger Vivier and were made for Saks Fifth Avenue, probably in the early '50s. A Parisian shoe designer of the highest order, Vivier worked with both Christian Dior and Yves St. Laurent, and his fabulous footwear was worn by Grace Kelly, Marlene Dietrich--even Queen Elizabeth II for her coronation in 1953. You may never have a coronation, but these shoes could be yours...

Friday, November 5, 2010

"The Sounds of Style": Musical Icons at the Glitter Gala

Last night's Glitter Gala featured "The Sounds of Style," a runway romp of the fashion trends of musical icons and their eras. No doubt you'll be able to name these icons and their tunes in under six notes!

We all love Tina Turner! But what's love got to do with it? She knows how to rock 'n roll!


Seattle's own Jimi Hendrix made an appearance in a purple (haze) shirt,


and the tantalizing Sade stopped by too. She is one smooth operator.


Then out strutted the Pointer Sisters. I was so excited!

David Bowie came as Iggy Stardust.

Peggy Lee sure was hot in that bejeweled ivory coat. She gives me fever!

Good golly, Miss Molly, check out Little Richard!

And look at Lena Horne, in that sexy, sunny vintage dress. There's never stormy weather when Lena's in town.

Did you know that the clothing from this runway show came from Seattle Goodwill donations and will be available for purchase at our Glitter Sale on Sat. and Sun., Nov. 13 & 14, from 9 am to 6 pm at our Dearborn Street store. All proceeds from the Glitter Sale support free job training and education in the community. You can't beat that!

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Night We've Been Waiting For: Glitter Gala Tonight!

The excitement is palpable in our offices and around our stores: the Glitter Gala is tonight!

I'll be tweeting from Robert Leonard Salon & Day Spa later this afternoon as our models have their hair and make-up done. The staff at Robert Leonard has volunteered to turn more than 50 models into a whole host of musical entertainers--from jazz crooners to rock and rollers and everything in between.

Then I'll head over to the Sheraton Seattle Hotel to watch as this glamorous evening comes together. The event begins with a champagne reception and passed hors d'oeuvres, a raffle and a silent auction. Then we'll move on to a sit-down dinner and "The Sounds of Style," a runway romp through the intertwining worlds of fashion and music featuring Glitter Sale clothing and merchandise. Radio personalities Jackie and Bender of 106.1 KISS FM will be our Masters of Ceremonies, and Sir Mix-a-Lot is the evening's special guest.

If you can't attend tonight's Gala, follow me online--I'll be tweeting at #glittergala. And if you miss tonight's incredible fashion show, remember, you can still purchase the designs from the runway at next week's Glitter Sale, Sat. & Sun., Nov. 13 & 14. Don't miss it!

Want more Glitter news? Follow GlitterSale_Gal, #glittergala and #glittersale on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news as well as fun photos and behind-the-scene snapshots of the Glitter Sale.

Did you know that proceeds from the Glitter Gala and the Glitter Sale support our free job training and education programs in the community?

Special thanks goes to our Diamond Sponsors: Nordstrom and Safeway for their support of Seattle Goodwill and this evening's Glitter Gala. Much thanks also goes to Robert Leonard Salon & Spa for providing make-up and hairstyles for our models and to the Art Institute of Seattle for producing "The Sound of Style".

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Whiting & Davis Evening Bags

Whiting & Davis is famous for its gold-tone mesh evening bags, a staple since the company's beginning in 1876. This year, the Glitter Sale has three of them!
Perfect for the party circuit, I would even take this sweet vintage mesh bag with me holiday shopping.

This elongated evening bag has an extra-long gold chain strap as well. Take it with you to your next Gala.
Look at the lovely clasp on this vintage mesh bag. Lovely!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Top Glitter Picks From Wardrobe Stylist Gretchen Bell

Gretchen Bell is a veteran wardrobe stylist who's worked on photo shoots for American Express, Target and Microsoft. She also does personal styling for real people and believes great style is about how you wear your clothes--not how much you spend on them. We agree.

That's why we invited her behind the scenes, onto the Glitter Sale floor, where she walked through racks and racks and racks of clothing. Below are a few of the pieces that caught her eye, and what she has to say about them:

"This vintage faux fur jacket is amazing. It has a darling empire waist with big pockets on the sides. It's very Mad Men. What I especially love about this coat is that it has the look of a leopard print without being traditional leopard. In fact, it's ocelot! The lining is impeccable, the details are spectacular, and the coat is only $24.99."


"This full-length sequin skirt is a total showstopper piece. I love the different gradations of gray and black and silver--it almost has a Missoni pattern to it. It would be amazing with just a white tee-shirt, a white tank, a white blouse. You don't need anything flashy on top because it's such a stand-alone piece. For a holiday party, it would be absolutely incredible. And it's only $14.99!"


"I love this Pendleton suit. It's great as separates. The skirt is just the perfect length. It would be terrific with a pair of boots and a short sleeve sweater for the holidays--navy blue, red or even a little fisherman's sweater. The jacket would be great with a pair of pants or a pair of jeans and a white blouse. You could wear it with a skirt and a turtleneck sweater or even a sequin top. It would be darling for Christmas. Plaid is so popular now. This is a classic plaid suit and it goes with everything. It's $19.99 for the two pieces, and it will never go out of style."


"This incredible men's cape from Edinburgh, Scotland is in impeccable condition. The quality and the workmanship is amazing. It's a beautiful plaid with gorgeous greens and chocolate browns. Look at the horn buttons. It's very Sherlock Holmes. This is gentleman's coat for a man who likes to be well-dressed. It's only $49.97, but it was probably hundreds of dollars originally."


"Look at this amazing blue brocade cocktail dress. It's the most stunning color. Imagine yourself in a sea of black, wearing a fabulous blue dress like this. It's really a standout. The styling is darling, so simple and classic, and the color is just unbelievable. Plus, it's only $29.99."

Monday, November 1, 2010

LBDs: Little Black (and Blue) Dresses


The 3rd Annual Glitter Gala is practically here--Thursday evening, Nov. 4th! What are you wearing?

While you won't be able to shop the Glitter Sale before this year's Gala, you can always get started on next year's outfit! And the little black (or blue) dress is perfect for the occasion. We've got an amazing selection of LBDs this year, like this St. John knit dress. The marvelous beading around the neck, reminiscent of an Egyptian collar, turns simple into stunning.

You'll sparkle on the dance floor in this slinky blue spaghetti strap dress made entirely of sequins.
This sweet LBD has an eye-catching black and gold bodice and an adorable bow.


Almost black, but not quite, I'm crazy for this beaded midnight blue dress.

For something a little different, check out this head-turning halter dress. Now, what's your pick?

Friday, October 29, 2010

Gary's Corner: On The Street

Just the other day our in-house stylist extraordinaire, Gary Foy, wandered behind-the-scenes through the now overflowing racks of Glitter Sale merchandise to create breezy weekend attire. He pulled together festive winter looks to wear on the street--out to an appointment or off to the store, with friends to a late brunch or an early movie.

These casual ensembles are not just comfortable to wear. They're fun too! A flirty cape. A fitted jacket. Gold-flecked fabric. Rhinestone edging. Fur trim. Gobs of jewelry and lots of layers. Who can resist? And at these prices, there's no need to!
The swingy cape is everywhere this season, and it's easy to see why. Comfortable and stylish, it tops off this outfit both literally and figuratively. This entire outfit is less than $65!
  • Gray wool cape with fur-trimmed hood $14.99
  • Rhinestone trimmed cardigan $9.99
  • Grey charmeuse belted blouse $$9.99
  • Black velvet trousers (with original tags) $12.99
  • Miniature shoulder bag $5.99
  • Silver tone chain and rhinestone necklace $7.99
This detachable fur collar adds a touch of glamour to this casual ruched jacket and wide-legged pants. Under $70.
  • Ruched jacket with wooden buttons $7.99
  • Detachable fur collar $9.99
  • Cream shirt with covered buttons $7.99
  • Gold-flecked, wide-leg pants $12.99
  • Gold tone chain choker $12.99
  • Pearl necklace with drop pearls $12.99
  • Pearl and rhinestone necklace $4.99
Crisp and hip, this gold-flecked fitted jacket with knot buttons turns this casual shirt and jeans into a very lady-like look. Under $75.
  • Gold-flecked fitted jacket with knot buttons $19.99
  • Red plaid Halston shirt $5.99
  • Cream Liz Claiborne silk shirt $7.99
  • Cream wool vest $7.99
  • Whisper-wash jeans $9.99
  • Charm choker $14.99
  • Chain necklace $6.99

Thursday, October 28, 2010

An LP Bustier! A Bird Cage Skirt! Meet AIS Glitter Gala Design Competition Winner: Peter Czarnecki

The Seattle Goodwill Glitter Gala is just one week away. One of the highlights of the evening is the runway show "The Sounds of Style," where fashion and music take center stage and the clothing and accessories all come from the 2010 Glitter Sale.

The finale of this event will be the winning design from this year's Art Institute of Seattle (AIS) Glitter Gala Design Competition. This year's winner is 24-year-old Las Vegas native and AIS fashion design major, Peter Czarnecki. I asked Peter to tell us about his award-winning dress.

This year's Glitter Sale Design Competition called for a fashion design that used merchandise from Seattle Goodwill to exemplify the Grunge era. Tell us about your winning design.
I designed a dress by fashioning old LPs for the bodice, and I used a plaid duvet cover for the skirt with black and white striped curtains for contrast. I also made a cropped jacket from a black floor-length trench coat and used extra material from the curtains to make short, black and white puffed sleeves.

Wow! This dress sounds amazing. How did you come up with such an innovative design?
I had drawn a dress similar to this one in a beginning sketching class when I first started at AIS. I had made bowls out of records before, so using LPs as a bodice wasn't much of a stretch. I wanted to give Grunge a modern look.

How exactly did you turn the LPs into a bodice?
Trial and error! I heated the records in the oven at 250 or 275 degrees and molded each piece to my model. I had originally planned to glue the LPs together with epoxy glue, but that didn't turn out very well, so I used a candle lighter to puncture a hole in each record, and tied them together with a strip of flannel from the duvet. It turned out even better this way, because the records move with the model.

You did something unusual with the skirt as well, didn't you?
I thought, "I can't have a 'blah" skirt." Bird cages have always inspired me, and I have a vintage bird cage in my room. I decided it would be fun shape for a skirt. So I went to Home Depot and bought wire to make the framework for a short bubble skirt.

How long did it take you to do all this?
The idea came together really quickly, just a day or two. But it took over a month to actually make the dress, in between homework. I had to hand-sew everything.

Did you have any fashion design experience before coming to the AIS?
I had never done anything fashion-related before going to the Art Institute. I was in nursing school before coming here. I quickly realized nursing was not for me. I'd always been artistic, but had never even attempted to draw clothing. And I'd never touched a sewing machine.

And now, what are your plans?
I'll finish school next December. Then I'd like to go to graduate school, especially Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design, an internationally renowned school in London, to see what else is out there.

Want to see Peter Czarnecki's amazing design for yourself? Join us next week, on Thursday, Nov. 4th, 6 pm, at the Sheraton Seattle, for the Glitter Gala!

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Step Into A Gorgeous Gown



When it comes to gorgeous gowns, we have something for everyone. Step into this sweet ruffle strapless, straight out of the 1950s. The perfect prom dress for someone then...and now. I've always wanted to wear a dress like this!

Care to dance? This short turquoise chiffon number will move to the music. I love the drape at the neck and the flow of the sleeves. I've seen similar floor-length gowns, but none as short and sassy as this one.


This iridescent taffeta gown is a show-stopper! The color, burnt orange, is so unusual. Note the marvelous design of the beads and sequins, the lovely lines of the structured bodice and the way the straps form an V at the back and gather in the front. Exquisite!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Upcycling with Glamspoon's Tina Witherspoon

Tina Witherspoon is a Northwest textile designer whose one-of-kind line of women's clothing, under the "glamspoon" label, is made from recycled materials and natural fibers, many of which she finds at Seattle Goodwill. Over the next year Tina plans to branch out of fashion and add a lifestyle line of home accessories, including throws and pillow shams from recycled cashmere, as well as totes, tea towels and aprons from recycled linen.

An avid thrift sale shopper and a Glitter Sale regular, today Tina shares her Glitter Sale shopping tips.

You're a veteran Glitter Sale shopper with a real understanding of upcycling, or how to turn used merchandise into pieces that are valuable and valued. What do or don't you look for when you shop Glitter?

It might surprise many of your shoppers, but labels and sizes are the last thing I look for. That being said, I do have a few guidelines I stick to pretty instinctively: special details, classic cuts and unusual or striking colors. Special details might include beading, sequins, pleating--anything that makes the piece stand out. Classic cuts are essential in order to avoid faded trends or fads. I look for fitted silhouettes and designs with cinched or empire waists. I also seek out A-line dresses and skirts.

What other tips can you share with novice upcyclers?
No garment is going to be perfect for you. Go for 80%. Swap out the buttons, shorten the hem, remove the sleeves, add an applique to cover up a tiny hole, dye your garment a different color and for Pete's sake, tear out those shoulder pads! You can make the changes yourself or get to know your local tailor.

So, make your local tailor your new BFF.

If you don't do any sewing yourself, you'll want to find a trusted tailor and build a relationship. Tailored clothing--even the smallest alterations--are the next best thing to a custom-made wardrobe. If you're even a little bit handy you might want to sign up for a beginning sewing class which will give you a little more confidence when taking something apart. Simple changes can make your garment look unique and make you stand out in a crowd.

Any other simple changes?
Another way to make a vintage piece work for you is through styling. If you find a great dress that fits you everywhere but the waist, grab a belt and cinch it. Hats, gloves and scarves can dress up an outfit for day, and vintage jewelry, wraps and heels can dress it up for evening. Mixing current pieces with classic vintage items creates a look that evokes the past, yet still looks fresh and modern. Don't forget to combine textures to create an overall aesthetic--cotton blouse, wool skirt, suede boots, knitted cardigan or poncho. And add accessories!

Anything else you look for when you're at the Glitter Sale?
Another wonderful part of hunting through vintage racks and fancy frocks is that sometimes you find a piece that inspires you, but that you would never wear. I come across clothing and accessories that I just want to hang on my wall.

What time will you be heading out for the Glitter Sale this year?
Last year my girlfriend and I got to the sale at 7 am thinking we would be first in line, but we were 150th! We still got a jewelry ticket and found plenty of things to purchase. But this year we'll shoot for 6 am! I tell people, "dress warm and bring folding chairs and a thermos of coffee." The wait in line is a lot of fun!