Annual Fashion Show Funds Education, Training & Job Placement Programs
FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 26, 2026) – Goodwill North Central Texas will host Project Goodwill 2026, a high-energy fashion show and design competition, on Thursday, April 16 from 6–9 p.m. at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in downtown Fort Worth. The event spotlights 14 local designers who transform thrifted finds into runway-ready looks, all in support of Goodwill’s mission.
Proceeds from the event support education, training and job placement programs for individuals facing barriers to employment across North Central Texas.
Each designer receives a $100 budget to shop Goodwill stores and create a one-of-a-kind “blue carpet” look. Past designs have incorporated unexpected materials like lampshades, album covers, trampolines and air filters, pushing the boundaries of sustainable fashion.
Designs debut during a live runway show, where participants compete for first, second and third place, along with the People’s Choice Award and the UnitedHealthcare Award, presented by the event’s presenting sponsor. Returning to the runway this year is TY Washington, last year’s Project Goodwill All-Stars first-place winner, who will once again showcase her creative talent using thrifted materials.
“Project Goodwill is where creativity meets purpose,” said Shay Gipson, Vice President of Community Engagement for Goodwill North Central Texas. “These designers prove that incredible fashion can come from unexpected places and every look on the runway represents real opportunities for people in our community to build skills, find jobs and achieve independence.”
Guests attending Project Goodwill will enjoy a cocktail reception, wine raffle, silent auction, photo booth and shopping from Edgar’s Bath Goods before the runway show begins. The evening will be hosted by Anthony Elle, winner of Project Runway All Stars (Season 6) and HGTV’s Rock the Block.
Judges include Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Toni Estes; Dr. Janace Bubonia, Professor and Chair of the Department of Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising at Texas Christian University; Lyndsay Baylor, Director of Customer Care for Kendra Scott; Joe Allen Brown, Professor of Theatre Arts at Texas Wesleyan University; and Kanani Mahelona, Design Consultant.
Tickets and event information are available at:
www.goodwillnorthcentraltexas.org/project-goodwill.
Those without a ticket can watch a livestream beginning at 7:30 p.m. at www.YouTube.com/@GoodwillNCT
About Goodwill North Central Texas
Goodwill is more than a thrift store. The largest employer of people with disabilities in the world, Goodwill provides education, training and job placement and believes that it’s worth celebrating!
Goodwill North Central Texas is based in Fort Worth and serves 18 counties in the region. The nonprofit’s 27 area retail locations provide revenue through the sale of donated goods to support Goodwill’s mission to CREATE lives of independence and BUILD a stronger local community. Education, training and job placement programs for individuals with disabilities, the formerly incarcerated, at-risk youth, our veterans and people experiencing homelessness are guided by the organization’s vision of a North Central Texas where every person has the opportunity for maximum independence and abundant living. For more information, please visit www.GoodwillNorthCentralTexas.org.
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