‘Big Spender’ by Harrington College hits the Runway at 2011 STITCH

At this year’s IIDA STITCH event, Harrington College’s concept ‘Big Spender’ hit the runway in a big way! Modeled by Emily Wiegel from Harrington’s Interior Design Masters program, the dress was inspired by Chicago’s historic Carson Pirie Scott building (read more about the concept in yesterday’s post). See the dress on the runway below!

 

Big kudos go out to the designers on the Harrington College team: Elizabeth Campbell, Lauren Handman, Natalie Malik, Jaclyn Moser, Timothy Naus and Shauna Sherman, as well as to the faculty mentors who helped with the project, Interior Design instructors Elizabeth Wersells and Demetra Vartzikos.

Photos by Rob Hart Photography

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STITCH 2011: Harrington College of Design Presents “Big Spender” Concept

 

What greater inspiration than the very city that surrounds you? Over the past several years, Harrington College of Design has enjoyed participating in IIDA’s annual STITCH event. This year, Harrington design students were sponsored by Interface FLOR and came up with their theme “Big Spender” inspired by Louis Sullivan’s Schlesinger & Mayer building in Chicago constructed in 1898-1904 (shown below – and located only a few blocks away from Harrington!).

 

Team members for the concept included Elizabeth Campbell, Lauren Handman, Natalie Malik, Jaclyn Moser, Timothy Naus and Shauna Sherman led by the Harrington faculty mentors Elizabeth Wersells and Demetra Vartzikos.

See an exclusive shot of the concept below:

 

On their concept, the team shared “Our three-piece ensemble combines flourishing architectural enrichment with powerful geometric masses and pays homage to the upscale shopping Mecca that is State Street.

The retail heritage of the building, from its years as Carson Pirie Scott, provides a natural cohesion between fashion and architecture. ‘Big Spender’ reflects the meticulous ornamentation and mimics the organic color palette of beige, charcoal and deep green. Gold represents the shimmering sun across the building and reminds consumers to keep their pocket books open!”

Visit tomorrow to see the Harrington concept turn into reality and hit the runway as well as some of the other runway designs!

Building photo by Beyond My Ken on Wiki

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STITCH 2010: Harrington Students’ EVOLVE

Yesterday, you saw the concept design for the Harrington College of Design student STITCH submission.  See the final write-up below that was submitted to IIDA-Illinois as the official Harrington student garment concept EVOLVE:

EVOLVE Concept
In association with InterfaceFLOR and Antron Fibers, Harrington College of Design presents the future of the human race. It is the year 3,000,000. The world is not as we know it. The impeding threat of new and dangerous predators has caused epic evolutionary advancements across all species. The human race, exposed to natural selection, selective breeding and genetic modification has developed several new and dominant characteristics.

Iridescent scales sporadically cover the body. Dazzling and confusing potential predators, this superficial beauty enhances protection while swimming at shallow depths. Coupled with vibrant striking gills, these characteristics reveal the morphing of a land and water-dwelling creature. A prominent elongated left arm allows for greater defense, added strength, and tree swinging. Venomous spikes protrude from the neckline and arm, protecting the head and vital organs from predatory attacks. Finally, inconspicuous camouflaged wing-like webbing under the arms allows for the entrapment of insects and small animals.

With the concept finalized, Harrington students Elizabeth Campbell, Antonia Davies, Ann Erskine, Natalie Malik, Brian Naglich, Alyssa Fabrizio, Emily Wiegel and Joyanna Peterson then began carefully crafting their complex garment…

 

… attended the event…

… and watched as fellow team member, Emily Wiegel, modeled their garment down the runway!

However, their garment was not the only Harrington garment to walk down the runway… tomorrow, see the Harrington Alumni Association’s STITCH design!

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STITCH 2010: Harrington Students’ EVOLVE

STITCH is IIDA-Illinois’ biggest event that pairs Chicago’s most talented Designers with industry manufacturers to create one-of a kind, wearable garments for the runway show of the year. The theme for this year’s show was “A STITCH in Time: Design for a Decade.”

Represented at the 6th anniversary of STITCH in Chicago were two creative entrants by the Harrington College of Design: one by current students, and the other by the Harrington Alumni Association.

EVOLVE: Harrington Student Group
Harrington students Elizabeth Campbell, Antonia Davies, Ann Erskine, Natalie Malik, Brian Naglich, Alyssa Fabrizio, Emily Wiegel and Joyanna Peterson worked hard alongside Harrington Faculty Advisors Elizabeth Wersells and Demetra Vartzikos to come up with their concept. Their thoughts turned to how humans might evolve and adapt to their environment in the year 3 million.

The Harrington College of Design students, sponsored by InterfaceFLOR and Antron Carpet fiber, decided to present the future and evolution of the human race: check out the concept sketch above and thought process below!

The year is 3 million.
A new age has begun.
The world is not as it was:
EARTH
DESTRUCTION
CHAOS
RE-EMERGENCE
RESISTANCE
SURVIVAL
ENDURANCE
EVOLVE

They then met with Antron Carpet Fiber (who has sponsored the use of their product to the Harrington STITCH group for the 6th year in a row) to start checking out materials…

Watch as the concept and garment hit the runway tomorrow!

 

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Travelling to Japan, an Interior Design Student’s Perspective

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Last Monday, I did a feature on the Gallery Show presented by the group of Harrington College of Design students who visited Japan between the spring and summer semesters of classes this year. While on the trip, students were tasked with creating their own independent study project based on the experience. Digging a little deeper, I was able to follow up with one of the Japan travelers, Natalie Malik to gain a little further insight.

After receiving her undergraduate and graduate degree, Natalie Malik had a seven year career in advertising in Boston, NYC and Chicago. Deciding she wanted to change her career, she came to the Harrington College of Design within the Interior Design Bachelor of Arts degree, and recently completed her second full semester at Harrington. 

Natalie shared, “I wanted to go on the Japan trip in order to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity. I wanted to be able to learn and explore such an amazing and different country, somewhere I wouldn’t have otherwise thought to visit. Having a knowledgeable guide planning our trip and tour was such a fantastic bonus. Learning the history of Japanese design and culture through the eyes of a professional and creative individual is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

 

While on the trip, students learned much about the country and people of Japan, while keeping an academic focus on the history and design of Japan.

“My favorite part of the trip was the Kyoto leg since it is the most traditional and historic of the areas we visited. The shrines, temples and castles provided amazing design inspiration and were like nothing else I’ve experienced in my previous travels throughout Europe. I can’t wait for next year’s travel opportunities; I would recommend the study abroad trip to everyone!” Natalie said.

You can see some of Natalie’s photos in the post… wish I could have made the trip! Keep reading and watch for other Harrington trips, such as the annual New York visit and the upcoming trip to New Orleans!

Thanks for sharing your experience Natalie!

Photos courtesy Natalie Malik

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