Monthly Archives: September 2011

Fashion Club President, Destined to Design

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Moses Gouveia - The Goodwill Hunter guest blogger

Meet the 2011 Back-to-School Goodwill Hunter Fashion Challenge winner.  His collegiate style choice (from the Kaimuki Goodwill store) embodies casual comfort and resort chic, but yes, it’s  still school-appropriate.  Moses Gouveia is the Fashion Club President at Honolulu Community College and is passionate about design, Goodwill treasure hunting and promoting fashion. He is the newest member of the Writer’s Block - a Goodwill Hunter guest blogger.   Here’s his first write-up:

My name is Moses Gouveia and I’m currently serving as the Fashion Club President at Honolulu Community College.  As the president, my main goal is to bring together all of the fashion club students and members to raise money for our Annual Senior Fashion Show at the end of the Spring 2012 Semester. Working together as a cohesive unit should enable us to put on an amazing fashion show production, and of course, allow all members and students to showcase their beautiful creations.

Currently in my third semester of studying the different aspects of Fashion Technology, I am fascinated at how fashion design can be broken down into somewhat of a science. I admire the work and designs of the great designer, Valentino Garavani. He is known for making dresses that utilize clean lines, and yet, these masterpieces are beautiful and elegant.

Kaimuki Goodwill store: White tank - $3.99, Beige Jacket- $6.99, Orange Capri pant- $6.90

Moses takes on the style challenge

Where does Goodwill  fit into the scheme of fashion design in my life? Goodwill is a place where I can find unique and affordable items that I can use to redesign or alter to make it fit into my design aesthetic. Since fashion happens in cycles, you can always find something at any one of the Goodwill stores that will fit into your wardrobe. Shopping Goodwill stores helps to support those individuals who need job training skills, empowering them to find a job and be self-sufficient.

In closing, I would like to thank Goodwill Industries of Hawaii and Amanda Stevens for this amazing opportunity to be featured in The Goodwill Hunter blog. I am honored, and invite all of you fellow fashionistas to participate in the Goodwill Challenges (like the Goodwill GLAM & Ghouls Costume Contest). Learn more about internship opportunities at Goodwill Industries of Hawaii at www.higoodwill.org/glam.

I will be graduating at the end of this school year, and will be showcasing my Senior Line/Collection at the upcoming fashion show. If you would like to come out and support my fellow classmen and I, serious fashion and couture will definitely be served.  Stay Tuned.

Glam Spotlight – Business Chic

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The navy blue power suits and Chanel-esque feminine suits (adorned with pearls) inspired many of today’s business chic trends.  But now - it’s about expressing your personal style with a professional flair.  Your outfit can be influenced by your schedule.  If you’re off to an important board meeting, a variation of the 80′s inspired power suit could work.  Update the look with an unexpected element, perhaps a scarf instead of pearls, a vest instead of a jacket, and a red or neutral peep-toe heel instead of the “safe” black pump.

As a general rule, I suggest not wearing jeans to work, but somehow, skinny black jeans can be the exception to the rule.  The look below blends comfort with flair.  A black pencil skirt could transform this casual ensemble into a modern-day power suit. Check out the Glam item of the week below.

K Studio black and gold top, light jacket and black skinny jeans - ensemble under $25

In the year leading up to Goodwill Goes GLAM! in 2012, the Goodwill Hunter will highlight fashion finds set aside for THE big event.  Goodwill Industries of Hawaii presents the inaugural Goodwill Goes Glam!, a showcase of talent, treasure and style — all for a great cause.

GOODWILL GOES GLAM!

High Fashion Kickoff:  Gala Dinner & Fashion show, plus After Party & Pre-sale:  Aug. 23, 2012

Treasure Marketplace: Aug. 24 – 26, 2012

An exclusive fashion show featuring Hawaii’s top models and stylists will set the stage for an unprecedented marketplace of more than 20,000 square feet of glamour and vintage items donated by retail partners and collected from Goodwill stores. This major Island fashion event will put the spotlight on Hawaii’s style industry as an economic stimulator and contributor to job-creation, while offering the opportunity to explore Goodwill’s own educational, employment and training programs.  Find out how you could get involved and be the first to get your tickets, for more information go to www.goodwillgoesglam.com

Eco-Conscious Students Make a Difference

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The spirit of goodwill is contagious.  Goodwill employees and their families are often guilty of spreading the spirit of giving back to others and the community-at-large.

Take for instance, Jennifer Kuwahara, wife of Rick Kuwahara, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii’s Business Development & Marketing Manager.  She’s a teacher at Mililani Middle School and she has been organizing plastic bottle cap and lid recycling drives at the school for the past three years.

This year’s drive, which ran for about four weeks, inspired the Yellow Track 8th graders to participate in this eco-friendly project.  The winning class was rewarded with a pizza party and students who collected the most plastic caps and lids in each class received a Goodwill Hawaii t-shirt.

Mililani Middle School students give back to the community and environment

When you see the students’ faces in this photo, it’s evident that they were thrilled to have collected more than 20,000 plastic bottle caps and lids. This project educates students on how to be responsible consumers and also how to respect the land, Hawaii’s ocean and marine life through recycling. Just think, if they hadn’t collected these plastic bottle caps and lids, the items would likely be in our landfills or polluting our coastlines.

Project diverts more than 20,000 plastic bottle caps & lids from Hawaii's landfills and coastlines

Goodwill, being a green organization, was part of a pilot program that has collected these lids working in collaboration with other organizations over the past year.  Goodwill does not make any revenue from recycling plastic bottle caps and lids – it’s just another way that Goodwill gives back to the community.

Congratulations to the eco-conscious students of Mililani Middle School.  For the latest news about their school visit the Mililani Middle School blog.

Being green is definitely at the heart of Goodwill’s philosophy. When you shop or donate your gently used items to Goodwill, you set in motion a whole series of earth-friendly activities. Every item you donate or purchase at a Goodwill store is one less item thrown away.  By recycling items through your donations and purchases, Goodwill reuses viable resources, and reduces waste on our planet.

Additionally, your donated items create many layers of value. By providing revenue to support Goodwill’s mission and programs, your donated items help people in your community to become more self-sufficient and reach their full potential. To learn more about Goodwill’s mission, programs and Donate Movement visit www.higoodwill.org.

Glam Spotlight – Emmy’s Red Carpet Style

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The Monday after awards shows,  like last night’s 63rd Annual Emmy’s, is not only about critiquing the best and worst dressed, it’s also about identifying – “Where can I get that look on a budget?”  Well if you were fascinated by Cobie Smulders, the actress from the TV hit “How I Met Your Mother” in that stand-out Alberta Ferretti gown, you weren’t alone.

In a sea of red, black and nude gowns, this ultra feminine aqua stunner was my choice for the winning look of the evening.

Red Carpet Glamour. Photo: Orchon/Retna Digital from Wonderwall.msn.com

Goodwill Goes GLAM! 2012 is one place to find elegant Emmy-worthy gowns.  Take a look at this week’s Glam Item Spotlight, in the spirit of all that sparkles on the Emmy’s Red Carpet.

This Laundry by Shelli Segal dress can be found at the Goodwill Goes GLAM! event for under $50.  I found a similar Laundry brand dress on Bluefly.com selling at a reduced price of $196.00, retail value – $365.00.

Glam Item Spotlight - Laundry by Shelli Segal, aqua blue beauty under $50

Last night, Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywood, donned this lace gown, creating a sexy yet flowing, timeless silhouette.

Shaun Robinson of Access Hollywod at the Emmy's in a black halter lace dress. Photo from Washingtonpost.com

Lara Fonoimoana, Mrs. Hawaii 2011 modeled the shorter version of the Emmy’s gown shown above.  The lacey little cocktail dress was found at the Goodwill Beretania store back in May, 2011.

Lara Fonoimoana - Mrs. Hawaii 2011 at the Goodwill Silent Auction event, Eco-Chic fashion show

In the year leading up to Goodwill Goes GLAM! in 2012, the Goodwill Hunter will highlight fashion finds set aside for THE big event.  Goodwill Industries of Hawaii presents the inaugural Goodwill Goes Glam!, a showcase of talent, treasure and style — all for a great cause.  The Laundry aqua dress pictured above is the Glam Item Spotlight of the week.

GOODWILL GOES GLAM!

High Fashion Kickoff:  Gala Dinner & Fashion show, plus After Party & Pre-sale:  Aug. 23, 2012

Treasure Marketplace: Aug. 24 – 26, 2012

An exclusive fashion show featuring Hawaii’s top models and stylists will set the stage for an unprecedented marketplace of more than 20,000 square feet of glamour and vintage items donated by retail partners and collected from Goodwill stores. This major Island fashion event will put the spotlight on Hawaii’s style industry as an economic stimulator and contributor to job-creation, while offering the opportunity to explore Goodwill’s own educational, employment and training programs.  Find out how you could get involved and be the first to get your tickets, for more information go to www.goodwillgoesglam.com

Up for the Challenge – Visual Merchandising

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Guest blogger: Sarah Davis - Goodwill Kapolei Store Manager

The phrase “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” is no joking matter at the Goodwill Kapolei Store & Donation Center; in fact, it’s really the spirit behind our merchandising method.  Store Manager Sarah Davis (myself) and Sales Supervisor Doreen Provost take pride in making “one mans trash” another mans treasure; by coordinating and designing displays that emphasize the excellent quality of donations received, we are able to balance a home décor superstore feeling to our small, intimate store.  One of the things that we really enjoy doing at our store is making beautiful displays out of what our donors thoughtfully send us.  I have a very passionate love of interior decorating and home design; so a perfect work day for me is coming in and treasure hunting in my own store to find things that fit just right together and make an outstanding presentation for my customers.

Happy customers equates to  more sales and more sales means Goodwill Industries of Hawaii can help more people to further its mission of helping people with employment barriers reach their full potential and become self-sufficient.

The magic of maroon in a room - display by Doreen Provost

The  “treasure hunts” usually begin with Doreen and me discussing a color pallet for each end panel, a “theme” if you will.  The themes for each presentation vary depending on the merchandise that is in the store at the time.  Doreen says, “Our themes have been almost everything you can think of from “under the sea” all the way to “cozy home library.”  Since the merchandise is donated and “signature items” have no scheduled delivery date, there is no way to plan for displays or merchandise ahead of time.  We really have to make decisions on the spot that will showcase our finest products in a way that you don’t generally see when bargain shopping.  I have a background in visual merchandising and I can honestly say that the most challenging thing that I have ever done is try to decorate displays at Goodwill with limited resources, but it’s the absolute best challenge for me, I really enjoy it.

Cozy home library style decor - display by Sarah Davis, Kapolei Store Manager

It takes us a good bit of time to shop around the store and pick out things that coordinate well together, and then set them up with as much finesse and being as feng shui as we possibly can.  The end results always make us, and more importantly, our customers very happy.  We have several customers that return week after week looking for those special items; their “treasures” that can be used to enhance the beauty of their homes.  That’s what it’s really all about to us, consistently providing a customer experience that keeps our shoppers happy.

Ruby red and slightly retro- display by Sarah Davis, Kapolei Store Manager

When you donate to Goodwill and shop at Goodwill you make an investment in your community because more than 90 percent of total revenues at the retail stores support Goodwill’s mission.

Country Comfort - display by Doreen Provost

Come and visit us at the Kapolei Store & Donation Center at 2140 Lauwiliwili St.  Kapolei, HI 96707 (located at the Kapolei Business Park.) If you have any questions, call us at (808) 792-5100. Store hours are: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.