Our Columbus team recently participated in Product Runway, an annual industry event which showcases partnerships between local designers and product suppliers.
A fundraising event for local non profit organisation Dress for Success, Product Runway was modelled off US reality television series Project Runway. Design firms partner with representatives of wall-covering, leather, carpet, laminate, architectural systems and office furniture to create couture garments from products that designers use in everyday projects - culminating in Product Runway.
The theme of this year’s event was Music Legends and Icons, in which Unispace team members Susan Booher, Derrick McCormick, Eric McKinney and Katy Welch were tasked with bringing Jimi Hendrix back to the stage.
Partnering with Ken Altiero from furniture and textile company, Bernhardt, and with great products and plenty of inspiration on hand, the team set to work recreating a modern day icon. Using Bernhardt’s wide array of textiles and furniture collection, the Unispace team sketched, designed, created and presented three mixed-media pieces:
- Structured synthetic felt jacket and jacquard vest combination piece, complete with architecturally inspired decorative detailing
- Well fitted striped pant with a hint of metallic
- Right handed work-surface-turned-guitar (played left handed, as Jimi did) complete with guitar strap.
The team also designed a concert poster, which was judged in tandem with the costume.
The event, held at the downtown Express LIVE! concert venue, featured Unispace and 17 other design teams, and was attended by over 500 industry professionals.
Competing for the first time, our Unispace team didn't bring home any awards. However, having their garments displayed at the Center for Architecture and Design in association with AIA Columbus is a reward in itself - as was all the fun the team had getting involved.
