The Good Exchange Fashion Show & Clothing Swap wasn’t just a good deal in terms of money; the $10-a-ticket fundraiser wound up being a great deal of fun for the 600-plus who turned out in support of Goodwill Industries of Denver.
Really, what’s not to like about an event where you can wear whatever strikes your fancy to meet Mondo Guerro, the Denver designer of “Project Runway” fame, while nibbling on an abundant array of snacks from Gourmet Fine Catering and watching a very cool show that proved some very hot looks can come from things that aren’t necessarily haute couture.
(Denver Post fashion editor Suzanne Brown has the scoop on the show and the students whose prize-winning designs were repurposed from merchandise found in Goodwill stores in her Clothes Circuit blog: ).
Organizers were pretty sure The Good Exchange would be a hit — “Mondo and clothing swaps are both hot right now,” observed Goodwill vice president Mike Pritchard — but selling out weeks in advance and having to turn away scores more who’d arrived at Infinity Park Events Center hoping to score a slightly higher-priced ticket at the door was not a scenario anyone had predicted.
“This really took off on us,” marveled Goodwill CEO Jesse Wolff. “It was a wonderful surprise … so wonderful that I think we’ll have to do it again.”
In addition to buying a ticket, guests were asked to contribute 10 items from their own closets to be included in the clothing swap.
Courtney Rolle, Carly Coffman and Kara Johnson were among the volunteers who sorted the sweaters, skirts, dresses, coats and shoes for such eager “shoppers” as Bonnie McKnab, Sherri Neuman, Rose Kalinauskas, Joan Boline, Taryn Collins, Jayne Boniface and Lisa Simpson.
Other familiar faces in the crowd: 7News anchor Bertha Lynn; Brandt Wilkins and David Alexander with David’s mom, Sue Simos; Carrie Mesch, vice chair of the Goodwill board; Rob Tallmadge, the Kempe Foundation’s director of finance; and 7News meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo, the evening’s mistress of ceremonies.
Coming right up.
Organizers are saying that Howard Dental Center’s Bingo Ball — 6 p.m. Saturday at Mile High Station — is going to be “sassier than ever.” And the only way to see what that means is to come on down and see for yourself, says 7News meteorologist Mike Nelson, emcee for the masquerade-themed event. There’ll be music, a buffet supper and bingo called by drag queen Nuclia Waste. Tickets are $125 ($75 for young professionals) and registration is at . . . . Pamela Adams is the hostess Feb. 24 for Madames & Martinis: The Sequel, a cocktail reception and auction for Denver Ballet Guild members and their friends. . . . The Brown Palace Hotel is the setting Feb. 25 for Delightful Dishes & Dreamy Getaways, a silent auction and food tasting hosted by the Colorado Hotel and Lodging Association. The $49 admission includes a hosted bar and 16 tasting stations staffed by top chefs from throughout the state. Proceeds go to Food Bank of the Rockies and the association’s Readiness Fund. Sign up at .
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com; also, and GetItWrite on Twitter
