This year’s IIDA Product Runway theme, “Meet me at the Met,” featured styles worthy of a red-carpet Met Gala.
Kirksey’s theme was inspired by the iconic fashions of India, featuring more than 80 “peacock” feathers (made from upholstery fabric), traditional Indian festival colors of orange and magenta, and incorporated “holi powder” all over the dress in the form of sparkling quartz powder.
The dress itself, modeled by Maham Fatima, took more than 90 hours to make and weighed 15 pounds.
“The most challenging part was trying to cut and form the metal ceiling material into a skirt shape,” said Altair Galgana, one of the Kirksey team members involved. “Making the henna pattern on all the peacock “tail” feathers was also challenging, but the end result was beautiful.”
Every detail was carefully planned. The team made the jewelry themselves, using a mixture of glue and quartz powder and casting it in pastry molds, and quartz beads were used as “jewels” on the collar.
The fashion show raises money through ticket sales and donations for a great cause – supporting the Houston Furniture Bank, a non-profit organization that provides furniture and home goods for families in need. This year was especially meaningful, since many families lost furniture in Hurricane Harvey.
The Kirksey Team
Altair Galgana
Maham Fatima
Cynthia Helms
Jamie Newcomb
Stacy Moore
Vendors
Cambria (quartz beads and powder)
Armstrong Ceiling (metal mesh)
Cronan & Associates / AllSeating (upholstery fabric)
Photography credits: Corvin Alstot and Andy Phanography
