Threads was quite a night to remember this year. Presented by IIDA's Tennessee Chapter, the show took place at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Hundreds of people came to see the striking garments created for the event. The theme for Threads 2018 was biophilia. This refers to the human tendency to seek connections to nature and other forms of life. Steve Ward & Associates partnered with designers from all around Knoxville to form team Unseen. The name, an ode to our theme: bioclimatic design.
The Theme
Bioclimatic design is often used in areas with extreme climates or circumstances in which building a structure requires careful thought and consideration. Homes and buildings designed using this concept use the area's climate and topography. This way, the space is utilized well with the smallest possible footprint. This is the idea that our team kept in mind while creating our garment.
We wanted to design something that accentuated the 'landscape' of our model. Simultaneously, leaving a small impact on her, the environment, and the materials used. We introduced the concept of air flow into our design. This represents the technique of storing and releasing heat where/when necessary. The technique is typically found in bioclimatically designed structures. When we put all of these ideas together, we ended up with an hourglass-shaped dress. The dress is entirely made up of FSC-certified walnut edge banding and sheer fabric material (courtesy of Eykon and 3form).
Our Strategy
Our team spent weeks hand-braiding small sheets of edge banding together. In order to create the unique top and skirt shown on our model. We ironed the edge banding pieces together. This formed an organic hem along the skirt's bottom edge to contrast the linear edge of the top. The look mimics the features of common bioclimatic building designs. Some pieces of the skirt were made up of more loosely braided veneer. This illustrates the air flow that was vital in keeping our model's body temperature regulated.
After all of our team's hard work, we showed up to Threads with our game faces on. The garments created by every team were incredibly unique. They carried so much meaning within their own respective themes. The amount of hard work and effort that went into each style was clear as the show begun and models turned their walks into performances of their own. Our model, Jacquelene Dent of DIA in Knoxville, made our garment seem like something off a couture runway as she walked with purpose and elegance.
The Results
In the end, it all paid off. SWA and our team took home the first place, Best In Show award this year. We haven't stopped smiling since. We'd like to thank our partners and team members: Elizabeth Wetherall, Erin Metelka, Hannah Starnes, Taylor Odom, Maggie Vineyard, and our model Jacquelene Dent for all of their creativity and time. As well as Eykon and 3form for providing us with the materials we needed to create this incredible look.
We'd also like to show our appreciation for IIDA, Nashville Civic Design Center, and all of the Threads show's sponsors this year. As well as the judges who helped this dream of ours come true. Finally, we'd like to thank our own VP of Sales & Marketing Geoff McElrath and our Marketing Communications Coordinator Jessica Laura for helping put together a team and a look that showed off some of our materials in a way we'd never seen before.
But wait! That's not all - our friends at Studio Rhoad have been following team Unseen every step of the way. From our first Threads meeting to the end of the show. So that we can give you all a look into how this entire process. Though we are super proud and excited to share this accomplishment, the real experience for us happened behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to the event. Luckily, you'll get to see it all soon! Our Threads 2018 journey will be available on YouTube soon. Stay tuned and follow us on social media or subscribe to our blog to get all of the updates... But for now, check out some of our photos from IIDA Threads 2018 below.
