Goodwill of the Finger Lakes Hosts Sustainability Under the Stars It’s Fashion Week on a Thrifting Budget
Friday Fundraiser Features Upcycled Fashions from Local Designers
ROCHESTER, N.Y., - Monday, September 8, 2025 – Can’t make it to New York City for Fashion Week? Goodwill of the Finger Lakes has you covered with its elegant and creative annual fashion show right here in your own backyard. Fashion with purpose takes center stage at Goodwill’s Sustainability Under the Stars event Friday, September 12 from 6-9 p.m. at the Highline Rochester, 409 Alexander Street.
Sustainability Under the Stars is a one-of-a-kind fashion show that features upcycled and curated designs made from Goodwill finds, handcrafted by local artists who applied and were selected by a committee to be the designers for the show. The event mirrors New York Fashion Week with a local and sustainable twist via upcycling thrifts from the six local designers.
Using finds from stores across Goodwill of the Finger Lakes, the designers will showcase an array of sustainable styles in an upcycled fashion show. Designs must have a minimum of 75% of materials sources from Goodwill stores.
“The event highlights Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ commitment to sustainability, which kept 28.7 million pounds of items in circulation last year,” said Jen Lake, president and CEO, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes. “Attendees who share a passion for elevating people, the community and the planet will enjoy an evening of fashion for a cause. Goodwill is so much more than a store. All proceeds from this event directly supports Goodwill of the Finger Lakes’ community impact program and services that benefit more than 171,000 people in our community each year: 211/LIFE LINE, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Goodwill Vision Enterprises and Good Neighbor Program.”
The event kicks off at 6 p.m., with remarks at 7 p.m., the Fashion Show at 7:20 p.m. followed by a DJ and dancing until 9 p.m. Tickets are $100. Admission includes event access, open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffle prizes and an evening of runway magic and community impact.
For more information and to purchase tickets to Sustainability Under the Stars, visit: www.goodwillfingerlakes.org.
About Goodwill of the Finger Lakes
A 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Goodwill of the Finger Lakes positively impacts the lives of more than 171,000 people each year through its mission: elevating people, community and planet for a good today and a better tomorrow. Headquartered in Rochester, New York, the organization’s unique social enterprise model takes an innovative approach to sustainability, workforce development and job creation opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment while also generating revenue to support its many community impact programs and services. Goodwill‘s community impact programs include Goodwill Vision Enterprises (formerly ABVI, Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired), 211/LIFE LINE, workforce development, 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, Goodwill Learning Academy, and Good Neighbor Program have a long and successful history of providing essential services to the Finger Lakes region, and the organization’s more than 750 individuals use their passion and expertise to find innovative solutions to address pressing social needs. Learn more at goodwillfingerlakes.org.