Purple team triumphs, $20K raised at colorful Goodwill fashion show

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Two models from the 2026 Color Me Asheville Purple collection, designed by The Three Graces. Photo: Saga Communications/Pruett Norris

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The 10th annual Color Me Asheville fashion show took to the stage at the Orange Peel last night. The Goodwill event, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina, raised over $20,000 for Bounty & Soul, a local food-based nonprofit.

Color Me Asheville 2026 was held at 6 p.m., Friday, April 17 at the Orange Peel in downtown Asheville. The show was emceed by Melanie Wilkinson and directed by Leanna Echeverri.

The whole rainbow of the 2026 Color Me Asheville fashion show.

Colors through the ages

Every year, Color Me Asheville tasks six teams of fashion designers with dressing five models in clothes of a specific color. The catch is? The bulk of the materials must come from NWNC Goodwill stores. To recognize 10 years of the event and 100 years of NWNC Goodwill, the 2026 show also assigned designers a 20th-century decade to inspire their work.

The event is not just a fashion show. Before the Goodwill models strut the stage, pre-recorded videos with Goodwill representatives spotlight programs the organization brings to the Western North Carolina community. One partner nonprofit is also selected. During the show, audience members are encouraged to donate to the chosen organization through QR codes in their program, with NWNC Goodwill pledging to match up to $5,000. This year, Color Me Asheville raised $20,204 for Bounty & Soul.

After every group of models walked the stage, the audience was invited to vote for their favorite. The prevailing team this year was Purple, designed by The Three Graces.

Bounty & Soul was presented with a check for $20,204 at the 2026 Color Me Asheville fashion show.

Check out photos from the event below.

Red/1960s by Michelle McFarlane

Group of performers in red outfits dancing on a lit stage, with a 'Donate Now' screen in the background.

Male performer in a red embellished jumpsuit on a dark stage, pulling at his jacket as he performs, with a 'Color Me Asheville' projection nearby.

Female dancer in a vibrant red outfit with a floral headpiece performs on a dimly lit stage, mid-tom dance move.

Dancers in red costumes performing on a dimly lit stage, with a Color Me Asheville banner behind them.

A performer in a bright red outfit and boots on a dark stage, holding a circular prop, with a Color Me Asheville banner projected on a screen to the right.

Male performer in a burgundy embroidered suit stands on a dark stage under a spotlight, next to a sign reading Color Me Asheville.

Performers in ornate pink and maroon costumes on a stage, with a 'Donate Now' slide and QR code displayed in the background.

Person in a bright red, ornate costume with a flower crown performing on a dark stage, spotlight on them, screen visible in the background

Yellow/1950s by Rosie Baker

Performer on a dark stage wrapping a brown cloak around their shoulders, with a bright 'Color Me Asheville' sign behind them.

Five female performers in yellow outfits stand in a line on a stage during a show, facing left.

Performer in a bright yellow outfit on a dark stage, holding a microphone stand and smiling.

Female dancer in a bright yellow gown performing on a dark stage, with a Color Me Asheville banner projected on the left wall.

Woman in a yellow dress standing on a dimly lit stage, with a colorful 'Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary' sign to the left.

Performer in a yellow dress and purple shoes stands on a dark stage, a 'Color Me Asheville' projection visible to the right.

Performer on a dimly lit stage wearing a striped shirt and tan pants, with a towel over one shoulder, under a projected 'Color Me Asheville' sign for a 10-year anniversary event.

Female performer in a bright yellow dress stands on a dark stage, with a projector screen showing 'Color Me Asheville' nearby.

Woman in a yellow, floral maxi dress stands on a dark stage under a spotlight, facing left.

Performer in a bright yellow suit on stage holding a microphone, with a Color Me Asheville banner visible in the background.

Brown/1970s by Corium

Five performers in brown, bohemian-style costumes stand together on a dimly lit stage, one with an arm raised, as a donation banner and QR code appear on a screen behind them.

Back view of a performer in a long brown embroidered dress and red hat on a dark stage, with a Color Me Asheville sign in the background.

Stage performance: dancer in tribal costume twirls a tall feathered staff as spotlight shines on her, with a Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary screen in the background.

Female performer in a fringed brown costume posing on a dimly lit stage with a bright Color Me Asheville sign on the left.

Performer in a whimsical costume on a dimly lit stage, with a Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary sign projected on the left.

Performer in brown costume on stage, arms raised, holding a tall staff at a nighttime event; screen behind reads 'Color Me Asheville' 10th anniversary.

Female performer in a long brown gown walks on a dimly lit stage, holding a bouquet; a Color Me Asheville sign is projected behind her.

Woman on stage in a brown fringed dress, spotlighted against a dark background with a projection reading 'Color Me Asheville' and '10 Year Anniversary'

A woman in a brown bohemian dress stands on stage with two performers in tribal costumes and a staff, a colorful banner behind them reading 'Color Me' on a dark stage.

Performer on a dimly lit stage beside a colorful screen reading 'Color Me Asheville' and '10 Year Anniversary' text, wearing a red hat and brown outfit while addressing the audience.

Performer in a brown fringed costume with fur accents and high boots on a dimly lit stage, facing left; sign reads 'Color Me Asheville' with '10 Year Anniversary'

A female performer on stage raising a yellow flower, wearing a fringed pink outfit and white boots, with a Color Me Asheville banner projected beside her.

Group of performers in earthy, tribal-style costumes on a stage, one holding a sign, during a show.

Blue/1940s by McFabricators

Stage performer in a blue outfit holds a blue umbrella on a dark theater stage; a Color Me Asheville banner is projected to the right.

Group of performers in colorful costumes on a stage, facing the audience; a large screen shows a donate QR code in the background.

Performer in a dramatic outfit on a dark stage, with a bright Color Me Asheville sign projected behind them.

Performer in a metallic coat on stage under a spotlight as a DJ operates equipment on the left, audience in a dark theater watching.

Performer in a blue Victorian-inspired costume with puff sleeves stands center stage, holding a white parasol, on a dark lit stage with a 'Color Me Asheville' poster projected to the right.

Performers on stage holding large blue umbrellas, a colorful rainbow umbrella, and a sign in the background; audience silhouettes visible in the foreground.

Stage performer in a cropped gray jacket with blue sleeves, holding a patterned umbrella on a dark stage; screen reads 'Color Me Asheville'.

Performer in a Victorian-style striped costume, hands clasped, on a dimly lit stage with a Color Me Asheville sign to the left.

Stage performer in a blue, teal, and lace costume strikes a pose under a spotlight; 'Color Me Asheville' sign glows to the right.

Performer on a dark stage with arms raised, colorful 'Color Me Asheville' banner visible above.

Performer on stage in a flowing light-blue cape, mid-song, with a microphone stand and stage lights nearby; audience area dimmed.

Green/1980s by Mackenzie Palermo

Woman in an off-the-shoulder silver gown on a dimly lit stage, holding a small basket, with a Color Me Asheville sign in the background.

Group of performers in costume on a stage, standing in a row and clapping, with a 'Donate Now' sign and QR code in the background.

Performer on stage in a loose beige, ruffled dress holding a small basket with greenery; mic stand to the left and a Color Me Asheville banner visible in the background.

Female performer on a spotlighted stage in a long striped dress, smiling with hand on hip, a plant on the left and a Color Me Asheville banner in the background.

A woman in a bright green and patterned coat waves on a dimly lit stage with a screen reading 'Color Me Asheville' in the background, celebrating a 10-year anniversary.

Performer on a dark stage wearing gray overalls and a cropped top, adjusting straps, with a Color Me Asheville sign projected behind them.

Back view of a woman in a long striped dress walking off a dark stage, carrying a basket of greenery; audience visible in foreground.

Smiling woman on a stage wearing a bright yellow top and a colorful patchwork coat, with a Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary sign projected nearby.

Performer on stage with a wicker basket, spotlight on left screen reading 'Color Me Asheville' (10 Year Anniversary).

Group of performers in colorful costumes on a stage; a person in a patchwork coat extends an arm toward others, with a 'Color Me Asheville' screen in the background.

Purple/1920s by The Three Graces

Drag performer in a glittery purple gown and elaborate gold headpiece on a dark stage, with a Color Me Asheville banner in the background.

Performer in ornate purple costume and headpiece dancing on a dark stage, with a lit screen reading 'Color Me Asheville' in the background

Group of performers in sequined purple costumes on a stage, some at a microphone, with a Donate Now banner in the background.

Performer in a colorful, elaborate costume on a dark stage, arms extended, with a projection reading 'Color Me Asheville' in the background.

Performer in an ornate pink floral costume and towering headdress on a dimly lit stage, with a colorful banner behind.

Performer in a elaborate purple feathered costume dancing on a dark stage, with a colorful screen reading 'Color Me Asheville' in the background.

Performer in an elaborate purple floral gown and large flower headdress on stage, with a Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary banner projected to the left.

Person on stage wearing a large pink crinkled metallic costume; banner in back reads 'Color Me Asheville' (10 Year Anniversary).

Drag performer in an ornate purple costume and feathered headpiece on a dimly lit stage, spotlight on them with a Color Me Asheville banner in the background.

Stage performance with five performers in elaborate purple costumes and headpieces, posing mid-dance under stage lights.

Performer in a purple, ornate Victorian-style gown with a feathered headdress on a dark stage, microphone stand to the left and a lit screen reading 'Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary' to the right

Performer in an ornate glittering costume with a gold bodice and flowing purple cape on a dark stage; a Color Me Asheville banner is projected nearby.

Two performers in glittery purple costumes and feathered headdresses dance on a dimly lit stage; a DJ stands at a table to the right, while a screen reads 'Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary'.

Performer in a dramatic purple costume on a dark stage, a colorful sign behind shows 'Color Me Asheville'

Performance on a dimly lit stage; dancers in dark, glittery costumes with a projection reading 'Color Me Asheville 10 Year Anniversary' on the left.

Two performers in glittery black costumes with large purple headdresses on stage; a Color Me Asheville banner is in the background.

Street Creature Puppet Collective by Sheila Thibodeaux

The Street Creature Puppet Collective made a Bounty & Soul-themed appearance. The food mascot costumes were designed by 2024 Color Me Asheville winner Sheila Thibodeaux.

Group of three performers in ornate, colorful costumes posing on a stage with a geometric prop on the right and a screen in the background.

Colorful stage scene with people in quirky costumes behind green cutout panels reading 'bounty & soul' during a performance; a person in purple bubble-like outfit stands left, an elderly person in red near a window, and another performer with a geometric prop on the right. A microphone stand and music stand are in front.

Two performers in colorful costumes on a stage with geometric prop sculptures and a QR code slide in the background.

Performer in a bright yellow-green costume with a feathered headdress raises an arm on a stage, a QR code screen behind, and a decorative prop to the right.

Three performers on a dark stage in elaborate costumes: a man in blue-brown regal robes, a smiling woman in a gold gown, and another performer with a large white geometric cube prop nearby.

People in bright fantasy costumes perform on a stage with oversized props; a screen shows 'VOTE NOW' and a QR code in the background.

Performers in extravagant carnival costumes on stage, one in a tall golden headdress, others in ornate outfits near a geometric prop.

Performer in a purple bubble costume speaks into a microphone on a stage with bright green backdrop and colorful art props nearby.

Two costumed performers pose on a stage: a teal robe-wearing figure with a crown and gold belt, and a gold-armored figure with a tall feathered headdress, beside a wooden prop and a cube on stage.

Man in festive robes and crown stands beside a glowing colorful geometric lantern on a stand during a dark stage performance.

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