GOODWILL OF OC COLLABORATES WITH LOCAL DESIGNER JEFF “YOKI” YOKOYAMA

In a first of its kind collaboration, Goodwill of Orange County and globally renowned designer and visionary Jeff “Yoki” Yokoyama have partnered to create an exclusive capsule collection of repurposed clothing items.

The retail industry continues to evolve, with second-hand shopping becoming more and more popular as shoppers turn away from fast-fashion and the waste it creates. This new partnership is the latest example of how Goodwill continues to pave the way for nonprofits in the world of sustainable fashion.

“Fast fashion is the second-largest polluter in the world, sending more than 10.5 million tons of clothing to the landfill every year in the U.S.,” said Eric Smissen of Goodwill of Orange County. “At Goodwill of Orange County, we are committed to giving new life to every donated clothing item that comes through our retail operation. Partnering with Yoki to produce an exclusive collection of repurposed goods is a new and exciting way to expand our sustainable fashion practices and engage new customers in thinking bigger about the impact of their purchases.”

Last year alone, Goodwill diverted more than 13.6 million pounds of goods from local landfills. Collaborating with a local designer to give even more donated items a second life, adds to the growing number of diversions and further establishes the nonprofit as a leader in sustainability.

Yokoyama is a respected Orange County-based designer known for his “California cool” style. He started Maui and Sons in the ’80s, followed by Pirate Surf, which he sold to Quicksilver in 1992, launched Modern Amusement in the mid-’90s before selling to Mossimo in 2005, and today runs Yokishop in Newport Beach, featuring his latest designs. For years, Yokoyama’s design ethos has revolved around creating new pieces from existing materials and his vision is to “design, make and sell differently.” Yokoyama was eager to combine forces with Goodwill to expand his artistic vision and socially responsible way of repurposing apparel.

The Goodwill of Orange County x Yokoyama collection features 75 one-of-kind pieces ranging from t-shirts and sweatshirts to flannels and structured jackets. Jeff Yokoyama scoured

Goodwill of Orange County’s warehouse in Tustin for unique items that could be repurposed, refreshed and redesigned into a collection of California-inspired pieces.

The collection ranges in price from $25 to $75 and features an exclusive Goodwill of Orange County x Yokoyama logo.

The collection launches on November 9, both online at yokishop.com and at the RARE by Goodwill store in Anaheim.

411 W. Broadway is at Anaheim.