Goodwill’s Centennial Gala

If there was one outfit that was the perfect fit for the Centennial Gala, it was the one worn by Jeanne DiBatista, 65. Almost all of it had been purchased at Goodwill … and not just recently.

The Baltimore native said she started shopping at Goodwill when she was 18 years old.

“I was young and poor. I was a hairdresser my whole life, and I worked with costume designers for Baltimore opera companies as a wig and makeup artist. They would go to Goodwill to buy costume pieces. And we always found such fabulous buys,” she said.

Even though she ended up owning her own hair salon, DiBatista said she never stopped shopping at Goodwill.

“Because I love vintage clothing,” she explained.

The coat and hat DiBatista wore to the gala were already vintage when she first snagged them 40 years ago at Goodwill. The same could be said for the dress she wore, which she found at Goodwill a week before the party.

Four years ago, DiBatista sold her Public Image Hair Salon, and moved to Costa Rica, where she works in animal rescue. But she’s found that work gives her yet another reason to shop at Goodwill when she comes home to Baltimore to see family every few months.

“I buy animal rescue equipment there, as well as clothing for children in Costa Rica,” she said.

HER ENSEMBLE: Black velvet coat with ermine tassels with matching hat, black knit dress, and pearl and crystal Y necklace — all from Goodwill. Silver ball earrings she bought in Costa Rica. Black leather “character” theater shoes she’s had for years. Black shoulder bag from a New York City street vendor.