See thrifted looks strut the runway + support a great cause—Aug. 26

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Four Birmingham-area fashion designers show off original works inside Alabama Goodwill in Birmingham
Birmingham-area designers Odus Smith, Michelle Farley, Jordan Kearri (Moochie) and Karnisia Hicks showcase some of their original designs. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Who says thrifted fashion can’t turn heads? On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Alabama Goodwill Industries is bringing back RECLAIMED: Renaissance Runway, where donated clothing gets a high-fashion makeover from talented local designers.

Every ticket purchased supports Alabama Goodwill’s workforce development programs, helping create new career opportunities across Alabama.

Read on to see why RECLAIMED is one of Birmingham’s most inspiring fashion events—and get your tickets here.

Alabama Goodwill’s RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase is more than a runway show


Alabama Goodwill employees Sharron Jackson, Danyell Benson, Darrell Taylor and Cuca Keeder pose together among clothing racks inside a Goodwill store
(L-R) Alabama Goodwill team member Sharron Jackson, Danyell Benson, Darrell Taylor + Cuca Keeder will pair with Birmingham designers to model in the RECLAIMED Fashion Show 2026. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

When you think of Alabama Goodwill, you probably think of donating clothes and scoring a great thrift find. RECLAIMED challenges that.

The concept is simple: local designers transform donated Goodwill clothing into original, runway-worthy looks that prove great style doesn’t have to start with something brand new. Each one-of-a-kind creation celebrates creativity, sustainability and the power of seeing potential in unexpected places.

A designer tilts Alabama Goodwill employee Anna Tomlin's chin while reviewing a runway look inside a Goodwill store ahead of the 2026 RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase
(L-R) Designer Tanya Pugh and Alabama Goodwill team member Anna Tomlin check a runway look ahead of the 2026 RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

But the clothing isn’t the only thing getting a second chance.

The runway also reflects Alabama Goodwill’s mission to help people discover new opportunities through employment, training and career development.

While RECLAIMED gives donated clothing new life, it also celebrates the potential in every person who walks through Alabama Goodwill’s doors, whether they are:

  • starting a new career
  • building new skills
  • taking the next step toward their goals

Meet the designers and Alabama Goodwill team members bringing RECLAIMED to life

Five Birmingham-area fashion designers pose inside Alabama Goodwill in Birmingham
(L-R) These Birmingham-area designers—Odus Smith, Vickey P. White, Jordan Kearri (Moochie), Michelle Farley and Karnisia Hicks—are proving thrifted fashion belongs on the runway at the 2026 RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Curious how thrifted pieces become runway-worthy looks? We caught up with some of the designers and Alabama Goodwill team members behind RECLAIMED to learn more about the inspiration and stories coming to the runway.

Designer Jordan Kearri (Moochie) + Cuca Keeder, Project SEARCH participant

Designer Jordan Kearri (Moochie) and Alabama Goodwill employee Cuca Keeder browse clothing racks at a Goodwill store
Designer Jordan Kearri (Moochie) searches for hidden gems with Alabama Goodwill team member Cuca Keeder ahead of the 2026 RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

For Tuscaloosa designer Jordan Kearri (Moochie), founder of Kermochi, RECLAIMED is the perfect opportunity to blend fashion with sustainability. Known for creating bold, wearable art, she will transform eye-catching Goodwill finds into one-of-a-kind runway looks that celebrate confidence, self-expression and transformation.

Cuca Keeder‘s story reflects Alabama Goodwill’s mission in action. A graduate of Alabama Goodwill’s Birmingham City Schools Work-Based Learning Program, she’s gained valuable workplace skills and confidence that helped her earn acceptance into Project SEARCH.

“My experience at Alabama Goodwill helped me grow in ways I never expected. I gained valuable workplace skills, built confidence in my abilities and learned the importance of teamwork, responsibility and serving others. The experience prepared me to take on new challenges with confidence.”

Cuca Keeder

Designer Vickey P. White + Danyell Benson, Alabama Goodwill

two people shopping clothes at Alabama Goodwill in Birmingham
Designer Vickey P. White styles Alabama Goodwill team member Danyell Benson for the 2026 RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Gadsden designer Vickey P. White is bringing a collection inspired by transformation, confidence and workforce readiness to the RECLAIMED runway. Using Goodwill-sourced clothing, she’ll reimagine classic wardrobe staples into elevated, versatile looks, proving fashion can empower people in every stage of life.

“Seeing people walk in pieces that tell a story of who they’re becoming—reclaiming confidence, beauty and purpose—is what excites me most about RECLAIMED. It’s more than a fashion show; it’s a movement.”

Vickey P. White

For Danyell Benson, Alabama Goodwill became the start of a new chapter after he connected with the organization through Hope Inspired Ministries. With encouragement from his career coach, he found more than “just a job”—he found a workplace that believed in his potential and gave him opportunities to grow.

“Alabama Goodwill welcomed me, believed in my potential and gave me an opportunity to succeed. It has been the beginning of a new chapter filled with growth and opportunity.”

Danyell Benson

Designer Michelle Farley + Sharron Jackson, Alabama Goodwill

two women shopping clothing racks at Alabama Goodwill in Birmingham
(L-R) Alabama Goodwill team member Sharron Jackson browses runway looks with returning RECLAIMED designer Michelle Farley. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Michelle Farley is transforming everyday clothing into stylish, sustainable looks designed for real life, proving reclaimed fashion can be both creative and wearable.

After becoming an amputee, Sharron Jackson found new confidence and career opportunities through Alabama Goodwill’s training and support.

“Alabama Goodwill transformed my life by helping me regain confidence in myself and my future.”

Sharron Jackson

See the impact of Alabama Goodwill’s RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase

Designer Odus Smith browsing clothing racks at a Goodwill store, searching for thrift finds to transform into runway looks
Birmingham Designer Odus Smith turning thrift finds into high fashion. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Turns out, Birmingham loves a good fashion moment, especially one that gives back.

When RECLAIMED Fashion Showcase debuted in 2025, the community showed up in a big way, raising $15,377 to support Alabama Goodwill Industries’ workforce development programs.

Every ticket purchased and every sponsor helped create more opportunities for people across Alabama.

It’s a mission that extends far beyond one night on the runway.

Every day, Alabama Goodwill helps people build skills, find meaningful employment and take the next step toward their goals. In the past year alone, the organization:

  • Collected 587,353 donations
  • Created 75 new jobs
  • Provided 23,504 hours of funded training
  • Served 1,833 individuals
  • Kept 5,760,311 pounds of materials out of landfills

RECLAIMED: Renaissance Runway event details

Ready to see thrifted fashion transformed into runway-worthy looks, Birmingham? Get your tickets to RECLAIMED: Renaissance Runway now.

Sponsored by:

Goodwill Alabama

Patience Itson
Patience Itson
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