Thrifty fashions are set to get a designer makeover at “Fashion Slam,” a benefit for the Social Service League of Lawrence on Thursday night.

“We want to combine fashion with fun and for a good cause,” says Tim Evans, Social Service League board member.

The Social Service League assists needy individuals and families in Lawrence and surrounding Douglas County communities. One of the organization’s programs, for example, provides new school shoes to children whose families cannot afford them.

The Fashion Slam event features a couture competition that incorporates clothing from the Social Service League Thrift Store, 905 R.I. In the contest, teams of downtown Lawrence store employees will design original outfits to be worn by models.

“The catch is that the teams will only have 40 minutes and huge piles of thrift-store clothing to work with,” Evans says. “Plus, we’re giving them only minimal tools.”

Think scissors, tape and glue.

Evans says audience applause will be used to judge each creation, and the winning team will receive a grand prize trophy.

The fund-raiser’s other component calls on the creative talents of six local designers. These fashion fiends will unveil ensembles designed in past weeks using only thrift-store clothing.

Amanda Luginbill, event coordinator, says each artist has created a statement to accompany their designs. Most of their responses are based on what the Social Service League means to them, Luginbill says. One designer explored the idea of cycles.

“She’s playing with the idea of the cycle of clothes and how you can recycle them, and she’s showing that by using second-hand clothes and also by having her models ride bikes,” Luginbill says. “I think it’s fabulous.”

“We’re expecting to see some really original stuff,” Evans adds.

Following the fashion bonanza, the benefit will move to The Jackpot Saloon, 943 Mass., where four bands — The Eudoras, Clams!, This is My Condition and Charge Droplets — will perform.

All proceeds will be used to operate and maintain the thrift store, as well as to fund organization programs. The charitable group has existed in Lawrence since 1863, and the thrift store opened in 1937.