Miss Earth USA 2026 Gia Soleil Espinoza to Host September 17 Runway Featuring Designers Dell Scott and Julieta Zavala and Emerging Talent from University of Delaware and Delaware State University

NEW CASTLE, Del., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- What can a donated piece of clothing become in the hands of a designer?

Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County will answer that question on the runway on September 17, when its third annual ReThink Fashion Show – the ECO Edit transforms donated textiles into one-of-a-kind fashion created by established designers and some of the region's emerging design talent.

This year's runway marks an evolution for ReThink: every look featured in the show will be created from textiles sourced through Goodwill and reimagined, reconstructed and transformed into original fashion.

Miss Earth USA 2026 Gia Soleil Espinoza will host the evening, which will feature collections from established designers Dell Scott and Julieta Zavala alongside student designers from the University of Delaware Department of Fashion & Apparel Studies and Delaware State University Department of Textiles and Apparel Studies.

ReThink Fashion Show – the ECO Edit takes place Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Goodwill's Outlet & Recycling Center, 400 Centerpoint Blvd. in New Castle. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for general admission (6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders).

"The ReThink Fashion Show is about seeing possibility where others might not," said Colleen Morrone, President & CEO of Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County. "These talented designers are using unsold donated textiles and transforming them into entirely new fashions. That's a powerful way to demonstrate what reuse can look like, while also connecting people to Goodwill's larger mission of creating opportunity in our communities."

From Goodwill to the Runway

ReThink challenges designers to begin somewhere most fashion collections don't: with donated materials rather than new textiles.

Scott and Zavala will bring their individual design perspectives to the runway, while students from the University of Delaware and Delaware State University will demonstrate how the next generation of fashion designers is thinking about creativity, sustainability and the potential of existing materials.

Zavala, a Mexican-born designer, brings another dimension to this year's show through designs influenced by her heritage and her approach to sustainable fashion.

The result is not a traditional thrift-store fashion show. It is an exploration of what happens when designers look at an existing garment or textile not for what it was, but for what it could become.

Miss Earth USA Brings Fashion and Environmental Advocacy Together

Hosting this year's show is Miss Earth USA 2026 Gia Soleil Espinoza, whose environmental advocacy provides a natural connection to an evening centered on reuse and sustainable fashion.

Espinoza and Zavala are both Latinas of Mexican heritage, bringing additional cultural perspective and representation to this year's event while showcasing the contributions of Latina women in fashion, environmental advocacy and creative industries.

More Than a Runway Show

For one night, Goodwill's Outlet & Recycling Center will be transformed from an industrial space dedicated to extending the useful life of donated goods into an unexpected fashion destination.

Guests will arrive on a Goodwill Blue Carpet for a paparazzi-style photo experience before entering an evening designed around fashion, creativity and entertainment. The experience will include music, food and beverages from Newark-based Caffè Gelato, a 360-degree photo booth, appearances by Goodwill mascot Willie G and a curated Goodwill pop-up boutique featuring clothing, shoes and accessories.

Guests will be able to shop the boutique before and after the runway show, bringing the idea of sustainable style off the runway and into their own wardrobes.

Where People and Planet Meet

ReThink also provides a window into a side of Goodwill that many people never see.

Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County works to maximize the useful life and value of donated goods through reuse, upcycling and recycling. At the same time, revenue generated through its donated goods and retail operations helps support workforce development programs for people facing barriers to self-sufficiency.

The ReThink Fashion Show brings those two parts of Goodwill's work together: people and planet.

Every donated textile transformed for the runway demonstrates the potential to look differently at things that might otherwise be discarded. Every donation and purchase made through Goodwill also helps generate resources that support programs designed to help people gain skills, find employment and build greater economic independence.

"Our hope is that people leave ReThink inspired by what they've seen, but also thinking differently about their own choices," Morrone said. "Something you no longer want may still have tremendous value. Donating those items to Goodwill or finding a new use for them are simple choices that collectively can make a difference."

Ticket Information

Tickets ReThink Fashion Show – the ECO Edit on September 17 are available now through Eventbrite at ReThinkFashionShow2026.eventbrite.com.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for General Admission ticket holders. VIP ticket holders may enter beginning at 6 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting sustainable fashion, emerging design talent and Goodwill's community mission. Additional information is available at GoodwillDE.org/EcoEdit, or by contacting [email protected].

Media Opportunities

Media interviews and visual opportunities are available in advance of the September 17 event, including:

- Designers sourcing materials at Goodwill

- Student designers working on their runway pieces

- Model rehearsals and behind-the-scenes styling

- Before-and-after views of donated textiles and completed runway looks

- Interviews with Miss Earth USA 2026 Gia Soleil Espinoza

- Interviews with designers Dell Scott and Julieta Zavala

- Interviews with University of Delaware and Delaware State University student designers

- Tours of the Goodwill Outlet & Recycling Center and demonstrations of how donated materials move through Goodwill's reuse and recycling system

Media interested in interviews, previews or event credentials should contact Jen Reed at (508) 944-4884 or [email protected].

About Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County

Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people facing barriers to self-sufficiency through the Power of Work! Its donated goods and retail program helps fund that mission while working to protect the planet through the responsible reuse and recycling of donated items. Goodwill's community-based workforce development programs empower people to reach their full potential, provide for themselves and their families, and contribute to the economic and social growth of their communities. Visit GoodwillDE.org to learn more.

Media Contact:

Jen Reed

(508) 944-4884

[email protected]

SOURCE Goodwill of Delaware & Delaware County

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