Seattle Goodwill hosted a special vintage fashion event at Hotel Sorrento last night featuring Clara Berg of MOHAI. In her role as Collections Specialist for Costumes and Textiles, Clara regularly researches Pacific Northwest fashion and has a deep understanding of how the apparel industry in Seattle took shape and made an impact around the world.

The program covered iconic Seattle-based fashion brands including Brittania, Filson, Shah Safari (which dressed Michael J. Fox in the movie Back to the Future) and Union Bay. The group also discussed Seattle department stores including Frederick & Nelson, which opened in 1891 and closed in 1992, and The Bon Marche which opened in 1890 and merged with Federated Department stores later changing its name to Bon-Macys in 2003 . 

The pieces on display at the vintage fashion event were pulled from the Goodwill archives located at the Dearborn store and maintained for educational purposes. The Goodwill archives occupy 6 rooms and are accessed via special permission only. Shopping vintage fashion at Goodwill is a great way to be eco-friendly during Earth Month. 

If you enjoy vintage fashion, please check out Clara Berg's Behind the Seams series at MOHAI. The next event takes place on May 13th and will focus on the history of women's suits. General admission tickets are $25. 

Goodwill invites you to get involved during Earth Month:

- Uber Donations: On April 8th request the 'Donate' option in your Uber app to have clothing picked up and donated to Goodwill. 

- Break Up For Good: During the month of April Goodwill invites you to #BreakUp4Good with an item by donating it to Goodwill. Your donation helps fund Goodwill's free job training and education programs. Snap a pic and post on social using the hashtag #BreakUp4Good. 

- Sustainable Sounds: Goodwill is partnering with KEXP on April 20th for a night of music at the Tractor Tavern in Ballard featuring cover versions of break-up songs to promote recycling and re-use of clothing. Tickets are $15, available here. 

Thank you to our event sponsor Robert Ramsay Cellars for providing wine for the event. Photos by Vivian Hsu Photography.

// Event Photos // View the full Goodwill x MOHAI vintage fashion event gallery on the Gossip & Glamour Facebook Fan Page.