From Donated to Designer: Goodwill Sparks Sustainable Style Revolution at Columbia Fashion Week’s “Thrift the Runway”

Challenging stylists to reimagine luxury, one thrift find at a time.

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina (GIUMSC) is excited to announce its sponsorship of the highly-anticipated Thrift the Runway: Stylist Competition, a signature event during Columbia Fashion Week (ColaFW) 2025, taking place November 2-8.

ColaFW 2025 is set to draw talent from across the Southeast region, bringing together designers, models, stylists, and influencers to celebrate Columbia’s growing place in the national fashion conversation. One of the week’s most anticipated highlights will be the Thrift the Runway: Stylist Competition, an annual challenge where fashion stylists compete to be named Columbia’s Top Stylist of the Year.

This thrilling event challenges stylists to create innovative, high-fashion looks exclusively using thrifted materials, powerfully promoting sustainability and ingenuity within the fashion industry.

Competition Overview:

• Event: Thrift the Runway – Emerging Stylist Competition
• Date: Friday, November 7, 2025
• VIP Pass: Access to all shows, events, and exclusive experiences
• More Information: https://www.columbiafashionweek.com/

“Goodwill is proud to sponsor Thrift the Runway during Columbia Fashion Week,” said Chunsta Miller, GIUMSC Vice President of Communication and Public Engagement. “This competition offers a powerful opportunity to celebrate creativity, promote sustainability, and empower individuals to see fashion as both innovative and accessible. It perfectly aligns with our mission to create a sustainable cycle of giving and receiving, transforming donated items into opportunities for training and employment across our community.”

The partnership between GIUMSC and ColaFW underscores a shared commitment to sustainable fashion and empowering emerging talent. The competition is a vibrant showcase of how secondhand items can be transformed into cutting-edge style, proving that accessibility and creativity go hand-in-hand.