Presented at the historic 3 West Club, Evan Hirsch’s Found Opulence: Thrifted Beginnings, Couture Endings unveiled 29 one-of-a-kind looks, each meticulously transformed from garments sourced through ShopGoodwill.com and Goodwill’s brick-and-mortar stores. Sitting in the audience, Fashion Reverie watched as thrifted beginnings were elevated into runway-ready couture, each look shimmering with Hirsch’s signature artistry.
The partnership’s roots are as imaginative as Hirsch’s designs. What began as a quiet experiment, Hirsch hand-beading a red Goodwill dress and returning it to the rack went viral when the six-dollar “couture” piece, caught widespread online attention. That story reached PEOPLE magazine and eventually ShopGoodwill.com, setting the stage for this groundbreaking collaboration.
“My inspiration was what I call Found Opulence: Thrifted Beginnings, Couture Endings,” Hirsch told the audience. “These garments were once overlooked, but with care and imagination, they became extraordinary.” His words rang true as the collection unfolded, blending glamour with sustainability.
The show opened with a cream and gold lace surplice pantsuit, a statement of transformation that set the tone. A parade of gowns followed: a cream and blue evening gown, a midnight sequin dress with floral brooch detail, a gold strapless gown with sash, and a burnt orange one-shoulder piece adorned with floral appliqué. Hirsch’s famed transforming creations drew gasps most memorably, a gold poncho unveiling a pink sequin mini dress and a puff-sleeve wedding gown that blossomed into a brooch-encrusted finale.
The collection struck a balance between romance and edge. Highlights included a silver gown with an embroidered organza cape, a black satin corset dress with ostrich appliqué, a sequined bustier gown with layered skirt, and a sharply tailored black suit reimagined with embroidered mesh overlay. Each look reaffirmed Hirsch’s philosophy that fashion’s most dazzling expressions can spring from humble, thrifted origins.
Images courtesy of John Pankratz
Following the show, Hirsch announced that 15 of the designs will be auctioned exclusively on ShopGoodwill.com, allowing fashion enthusiasts to own runway pieces while supporting Goodwill’s workforce development programs nationwide.
Reflecting on the evening, Hirsch shared: “This show was the most intricate production I have put on to date. I really wanted the event to reflect the grand transformations of the Goodwill pieces by giving each look a spotlight in the ornate Grand Ballroom. When I finally saw all 29 looks together in succession on the runway, I truly felt like my up-cycling dream had come true.”
Tijana Ibrahimovic
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