Comments on: william good: goodwill’s chic start-up in SF

By: bits and bobbins » archives » (not so) random links

bits and bobbins » archives » (not so) random links — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:32:05 +0000

[...] -william good (the san francisco area goodwill venture that restyles discards that i mentioned here this past fall) is looking for a new lead designer. if i had 3 years of actual factual design experience, i might apply! perhaps you or a friend qualifies? spread the word. *** [...]

By: bits and bobbins » archives » (not so) random links

bits and bobbins » archives » (not so) random links — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:09:27 +0000

[...] -sustainable style in the states?: in the interest of slowing global warming, some forward-thinking u.s. clothing manufacturers, like (controversy-courting) american apparel, prAna, and william good (whom i have mentioned here before) are looking to source some of their source materials within their home state or in the nation, according to the international herald tribune. these efforts allegedly help build up a burgeoning organic cotton industry here in the u.s. and make re-use of gently used materials. [...]

By: M

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:49:07 +0000

I’ve known people who’ve worked at Goodwill and they haven’t sounded like the best employers, at least in the SF Bay Area. And one small thing that always bugged me: why doesn’t Goodwill put foam on their hangers so everything doesn’t fall on the floor, so the workers have to pick it up? And the prices these days often do seem comparable to many buy/resale/consignment stores, as popposed to the truly cheap thrift stores. I’m not saying I haven’t gotten great stuff there, because I have, but once things are priced at $10, it feels much less like thrifting.

By: DC Goodwill Fashionista

DC Goodwill Fashionista — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 23:53:37 +0000

Yeah, Goodwills across the country are definitely moving in new directions, BUT it’s not at the expense of the great, affordable merchandise that Goodwills are always known for, i.e. you might pay $300 for the top-of-the-line William Good piece, but you can still dig through the racks at the store and pick up a $6.98 vintage gem or $8.98 designer goody. Trust me – there’s so much amazing stuff at any Goodwill that one designer couldn’t possibly pilfer it all. PLUS, all of the proceeds go to a great cause: training and employment of the disabled and disadvantaged. -the DCGF

By: Tracy

Tracy — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:25:35 +0000

Thanx for the info!!!

I’ve been toying with thoughts similar to this forever, but knew someone like me could never get it off the ground. My GW’s has “partnered” with other stores through out the country as one of the places to try new things and experiment programs, (SF store(s) is usually in the same group of “pilot stores”.) Think I’m going to go talk to the people at my local GW later today. Wouldn’t hurt to get my name on the list of potential employees for this endeavor if they want to expand/test this idea in my area too.

And BTW…get your little butt down there and tell them who you are!! You should so be on that team!!!!

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:07:51 +0000

I would want to work here too! Looks like fun!

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 02:32:23 +0000

there are many local artists here around richmond who will reconstruct or redesign used clothing and then sell in the independent clothing shops. sometimes it’s total crap and sometimes it’s awesome. but i have to smile, because making stuff is making stuff, and if someone likes it, then someone’s happy. i don’t have to buy it if i don’t want to.

my favorite thing is finding handmade garments in the thrift/used shops. i love that!

By: blingblingkitty

blingblingkitty — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:25:34 +0000

William Good should hire you toots sweet! You would totally rock it! And thanks for all the juicy links.

By: Angie Montreal

Angie Montreal — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:58:30 +0000

You should send them an e-mail, could be a great job! I send them a quick message to keep me updated on any opportunities, why not! Can’t hurt to try. Thanks for the heads up on this project.

By: M

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 20:18:29 +0000

yeah, the stuff isn’t ridiculously expensive or anything- it’s about $40 for a reconstructed sweater, so the prices are probably comparable to the gap, as opposed to couture. the $300 pieces are probably ones with a lot more work on them.

as for thrift stores becoming obsolete, i was referring to the prices being raised at these places, or the clothes picked through beforehand by people who work for goodwill and priced accordingly. that particular goodwill is a good example- cashmere sweaters are always priced at at least $11, and a lot of the clothing items in general are like at least $8-12. both goodwill and salvation army have “boutique” sections or separate stores that mark stuff up (of course, they don’t usually know what they are doing, and i feel like anything bejeweled is imemediatly considered “fancy” and therefore expensive even though it is some faded 80’s sweater, but whatevs.)

goodwill also has a website where they sell stuff auction style, and for a while they seperated the vintage in a “nu2u” section at the now defunct goodwill on mission and 18th, and priced it higher. i actually got some great stuff in that section, but the idea that everything had been picked through and marked up (sometimes it was designer, not just vintage) definitely distorted the whole concept of what thrifting was.

also, there are so many independent “boutique” thrift stores (especially in the fillmore, but i know there’s others) where they charge like $12 for old t-shirts. i can’t think of many really cheap thrift stores in the city. even community thrift on valencia will charge $12 or whatever for a piece of clothing.

the whole fun of a thrift store is that everything was donated to them, so they sell it really cheap, and you have to sift for the good stuff and buy things you don’t need because they’re cheap. if someone’s already found that gem and priced it at $15, i don’t know, it’s just not so much fun. the whole treasure hunting aspect is just totally erased, and they become more just like any old store.