discarded to divine 2013...

another year has come and gone...and it is time for discarded to divine 2013...i am bummed as this will be the first year that i will be missing the event...but...i wanted to do a post on it...because it is a great cause...and perhaps some of you might want to attend...

discarded to divine...reclaimed fashion...reclaimed lives...how did this magnificent event come about to be?  here is "the story" taken from the website:

It began in 2005, when St. Vincent de Paul Society Help Desk Director Sally Rosen found herself facing a pile of unusable donated clothing, torn and stained. Sally thought, "While working at the Help Desk, I realized our discards were waiting to be transformed into divine creations." She began to think of recycling, imagining how these discarded garments could be remade into something new and useful. She decided to invite designers to take the discarded clothing and create wearable works of art and exquisite home décor, thus Discarded to Divine was created.

Discarded to Divine is a charitable event showcasing the talents of professional and aspiring designers who transform discarded, donated clothing into one-of-a-kind couture creations and exquisite home décor which are auctioned to benefit those overcoming poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.

pretty amazing that a pile of unused clothing...would inspire one woman to take that...and make this incredible fashion event...and fundraiser...for st. vincent de paul...

the actual event is always fun with silent auction and all...but there is also a preview of the garments...shown one nite at the de young museum...click on the website link above to get all the info! 

photo source

discarded to divine event - part 2 - the live auction...

in continuation of yesterday's post...where i shared about this wonderful fundraiser event that i attended last week..."discarded to divine" supporting st vincent de paul society...the evening was split into two parts...the silent auction...which of course is fun to walk around and see what is up for bids in a silent auction environment...

but it all changes in a live auction setting...what is it about bidding on something...i think you get to a point that if you are outbid...you then are more determined then ever to have that one item...most of the bidding wars were usually between two parties...which is why i make the point of the adrenaline rush that happens...

but enough of that...let's get to the goods...after all...that is what this nite was all about...and bidding wars is a good thing...when the end result is going towards a charity...for the live auction...there were 12 pieces represented...i only took pics of my favorites...it still amazes me that these were all made from donated unusable clothing...

and no...i didn't bid...as these were not even close to my size...haha...but it doesn't mean i wasn't wishing they were...

as soon as they announced that this first dress coming out was a mix of patterns...i already knew...deep in my heart that i was most likely going to love it...and it didn't disappoint...

the next show stopper was this lovely black cocktail dress with pink coat...mad men inspired...

now i know that i need a coat like this...so i am on a mad search...gotta love that the model came out holding a martini glass...working the role...for sure!

anything that shimmers...gets my attention...although this dress would be a hard one to wear for a lot of women...i did think it was an adorable dress...

back view

one can never have enough jackets...at least that is my philosophy...this one?  so unique and different...had a equestrian vibe...

this next dress was interesting with its jacket...although when she took it off...the dress itself was quite the show stopper as well...

back view

this next one was BEYOND amazing...that beautiful long coat was all suede...loved the combination with the long dress...

 back view of the coat...exquisite work...

and a black & white combination...always classy...

back view

it was such a fun event...almost like a mini project runway challenge...and the end results were all pretty creative...

discarded to divine event - part 1 - the silent auction...

last week i had the extreme pleasure of attending the "discarded to divine" fundraiser to support st. vincent de paul society...started in 2005 - where help desk director sally rosen looked at a pile of unusable donated clothing...and thought..."how can these be transformed to divine creations..."

upon arriving and checking in...each guest received their very own little "bidpal" - gotta love technology today...no?  at any point...you can bid...see if you've been outbid...etc...etc...

the first part of the evening was the silent auction...so while sipping on some "divine" concoction...we perused about the san francisco design center galleria...fabulous appetizers throughout the event...so...nibbling & sipping away...we made our way through all the unbelievable creations...

of course...my heart stopped at this lovely green vest dress...was it the color?  hmmm...

of all the silent auction numbers...this next one was definitely my favorite...the construction was amazing...a black bodysuit with a braided crinoline bubble skirt...

when you take a closer look...it is inter-looped by denim inseams from 60 pairs of jeans...and then loops from the jean waistbands were used to accent the bustier...

and of course i was hoping that my raffle tickets would make me the proud owner of this pair of his and her bicycles...a green one!  unfortunately...my name was not called...

along with fabulous dresses, jackets and such...there were end tables & pillows made out of discarded items...which just goes to show...with a creative mind...pretty amazing what could transpire...

tomorrow...i will share the live auction portion of the evening...stay tuned...

discarded to divine 2012...

i have always loved the concept behind "discarded to divine"...which was started by st vincent de paul society...with a simple goal..."recycled fashions...renewed lives..."

the story behind "discarded to divine"

It began in 2005, when St. Vincent de Paul Society Help Desk Director Sally Rosen found herself facing a pile of unusable donated clothing, torn and stained. Sally thought, "While working at the Help Desk, I realized our discards were waiting to be transformed into divine creations." She began to think of recycling, imagining how these discarded garments could be remade into something new and useful. She decided to invite designers to take the discarded clothing and create wearable works of art and exquisite home décor, thus Discarded to Divine was created.

Discarded to Divine is a charitable event showcasing the talents of professional and aspiring designers who transform discarded, donated clothing into one-of-a-kind couture creations and exquisite home décor which are auctioned to benefit those overcoming poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.
(taken from website)

this years gala event will be held thursday, april 26...at the san francisco design center galleria...tickets can be purchased here...plus a preview nite will be held at the de young museum friday, april 13...

photo credit: gabriel harber

discarded to divine...

it always amazes me when designers come up with an amazing new collection...but even moreso...when a designer can take a piece of discarded clothing...and make something beautiful out of it...and that is what "discarded to divine" is all about...

Discarded to Divine features a collection of one-of-a-kind fashion creations and exquisite home décor created from discarded clothing and materials, benefitting the St. Vincent de Paul Society's services to people battling poverty, homelessness and domestic violence.

if you would like to read more about the start of this charitable event...click here to read the story...

this friday april 15th - there is a free preview of the collection at the de young museum starting at 6pm...i truly wish i wasn't out of town...cause i would definately be there...if you have the chance...i highly recommend checking it out...

and the main event is scheduled for thursday april 28th from 6 - 10pm at the hall at st. mary's cathedral...with a live auction...

not only is this a very green event...but it is also for a great cause...

photo source