A wood-veneer ball gown, a dramatic cloak made from carpet samples, and a paper Victorian collar are among the inspired fashions that hit the runway at the 11th annual IIDA Northland Fusion+Fashion show at U.S Bank Stadium on Friday night. Inspired by Project Runway‘s unconventional materials challenge, the show challenges architects and interior and industrial designers from area firms to create garments out of materials associated with home interiors and building. Taking inspiration from the night’s Alice in Wonderland theme, “Through the Looking Glass,” this year’s looks offered twists on characters from the classic tale, such as a Mad Hatter attached to a teacup-filled table and a Caterpillar-inspired grown made with fabric that evoked smoke (smartly accompanied by a smoking “pipe” that blew colorful vapor as it walked the runway). Other designers opted for to focus on the looking glass itself, including gasp-worthy mirrored metal skirt accented by hand-blown glass by industrial design studio Hennepin Made and Area Environments. Two weeks prior to the show, all competitors were tasked to incorporate a reflective wall covering material by Area Environments into their designs—a challenge that some embraced to great effect. Among the best were the team behind the Caterpillar gown, which painstakingly hand-cut Victorian-inspired designs via Exacto knife onto the look’s bodice, and a team that manipulated the paper to make it look like feathers, trimming a cloak and coordinating raven mask.
With its bright green Astroturf and purple-and-gold color scheme, the stadium made for an interesting juxtaposition for a fashion show, which embraced it by encouraging guests to use the cheeky hashtag #skolfusion on social media.
Here are the award-winning looks and more from Friday’s show:
Best Hair+Makeup: Intereum
Most Wearable and Best Use of Surprise Element: BDH + Young
Most Innovative Use of Building Material: Dunwoody College
Best Interpretation of Theme 1st Runner Up and People’s Choice: Hennepin Made + Area Environments
Best Interpretation of Theme and Best in Show 1st Runner Up: ESG
Judges Mystery: Best Editorial Look: HGA
Best in Show: Studio Bauen
More looks from the show: