Goodwill Industries® of Greater NY and Northern NJ (Goodwill NYNJ) hosted its third annual Goodwill Evening of Treasures event to celebrate sustainable Fashion and the power of work. Fashion icon Jenna Lyons hosted the event at 10 Hudson Yards on Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Designers Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria and Rinat Brodach presented one-of-a-kind outfits upcycled using Goodwill-sourced merchandise and donated the looks for auction benefitting Goodwill. Tommy Hilfiger also donated a Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive look. Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive is part of TOMMY HILFIGER's commitment to create fashion that wastes nothing and welcomes all, driving forward the company's mission to be a brand that works for every TOMMY fan – always inclusive, completely accessible.

Goodwill NYNJ honored BNY Mellon for their longstanding support of our mission at the 2023 Evening of Treasures. Jolen Anderson, Global Head of Human Resources, Corporate Responsibility and Philanthropy at BNY Mellon, accepted the Corporate Leadership Award at the May 3 event.

BNY Mellon supports organizations like Goodwill to make a positive impact in the communities where they live and work. BNY Mellon's philanthropy grants to Goodwill has helped launch new and innovative programs that remove barriers to employment for women, people of color, the under- and unemployed and others often left on the sidelines of the workplace. With BNY Mellon's collaboration, Goodwill NYNJ's Bridge to Technology program helps equip individuals with the necessary skills to qualify for, and graduate from, a range of advanced technology trainings and obtain in-demand tech jobs.

"BNY Mellon is proud to dedicate resources and share the talents of our employees to empower the workforce of tomorrow," said Jolen Anderson, Head of Human Resources at BNY Mellon. "We look forward to continuing our work with Goodwill NYNJ to break down barriers and create more diverse workplaces."

Additionally, BNY Mellon's seed funding of Goodwill NYNJ's Pharmacy Technician program is helping to recruit and employ the next generation of pharmacy technicians, providing young adults with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to complete the pharmacy technician certification board (PTCB) exam.

Goodwill's Evening of Treasures red carpet featured, in addition to host Jenna Lyons and guest designers, bold faced named attendees in upcycled and second-hand styled outfits including Dapper Dan; Yeohlee Teng; Shawn Pean, June79; Casandra Diggs, CFDA; Fern Mallis; Aube Jolicoeur; Felita Harris; Josh Peskowitz; Gigi Burris; Roopal Patel, Saks Fifth Ave; David Duplantis, Boy Smells; and Lauren Singer, environmental activist, entrepreneur, and blogger, among others.

The event featured stories of people with disabilities and other employment barriers Goodwill NYNJ has supported on their journey to employment and independence. Persons like Nicholas, a Bronx resident in his forties diagnosed with schizoaffective and panic disorder, who had to move to a domestic violence shelter with his son after being laid off from a 12-year job and leaving a turbulent family relationship. Nicholas joined Goodwill's Citiview Connections Clubhouse where he could socialize with peers, stay connected to the community, and design a personalized Wellness Recovery Action Plan to stay out of the hospital. When he was ready, a Goodwill caseworker helped him find a job that he loves. Sylvia, a Brooklyn resident in her thirties diagnosed with autism, loves music, acting and history. Thanks to Goodwill's person-centered job search and workplace support, Sylvia now works at the Irish Arts Center, where she learns about her heritage and enjoys socializing with her colleagues and customers.

Goodwill NYNJ created one of the first sustainable fashion enterprises more than 108 years ago. While a new "slow fashion" movement is starting to disrupt the fashion industry today, there is a dire need for ways to reduce textile waste.

Jenna brings tremendous experience to the celebration and conversation with three designers featured in this year's Evening of Treasures fashion show. Goodwill is thrilled to have Jenna join us for an unforgettable evening of upcycled style and philanthropy.

Goodwill's Evening of Treasures includes a panel discussion led by Jenna Lyons with designers Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria and Rinat Brodach presenting their upcycle designs donated in support of Goodwill.

"Over the past 3 years, I have been using deadstock and scrap fabrics which have been overlooked, disregarded, or literally thrown away," said Rinat Brodach. "I love giving them a new life with hand dying, bleach, and luxurious finishings, and it's helped me become a more sustainable brand - waste is the biggest source of pollution in the fashion industry! As of this last NY Fashion Week, I started recycling knitwear, going to different Goodwill stores and other secondhand stores to find old sweaters to recreate some of our staples with a new twist. There are so many good finds out there! After putting in the work you would never know my clothes were made of previously unwanted, discarded materials, and that connects to my journey in many ways."

"For this upcoming season, I worked primarily with recycled fabrics or pieces that hadn't been used for past production. I love being able to use materials that may otherwise have been thrown away. This way we give them a new life and out of our landfills," said designer Willy Chavarria. "I am so proud to have partnered with Goodwill NYNJ on The Evening of Treasures – supporting its efforts in the community with employment opportunities, creating a full ready-to-wear look with what I could find in its stores. There are so many amazing pieces out there and I'm excited to give them a new chance to be seen in the world. Here at Willy Chavarria, we believe everyone and everything needs a chance to be seen!"

"It was exciting to partner with Goodwill to demonstrate the treasures found in their stores and to shine a light on their ongoing efforts to amplify local communities and promote the concept of circular fashion. I designed this look like I design my collections by taking traditional menswear classics and reworking them in fresh and exciting ways. A classic sartorial trench coat is updated with the sleeves of a Champion bomber jacket. The pockets of army-inspired fatigues are replaced with the pockets from tweed blazers. It's about the classics reimagined."

"It is exciting to see Goodwill NYNJ pre-loved items upcycled into unique outfits by such well-known designers. Goodwill NYNJ knows that on top of the sustainability- shopping and wearing thrift is economical, unique, and fun," says Katy Gaul-Stigge, Goodwill NYNJ President and CEO. "We are delighted and we thank our friends, fashion innovators: Jenna Lyons, Todd Snyder, Willy Chavarria, and Rinat Brodach for joining Evening of Treasures to join our double impact mission of sustainable fashion and the power of work."

FASHIONADO