Inside the 8th Annual Cosmo Couture

Interior designers showcased some serious creativity using the materials of their trade at the 8th Annual Cosmo Couture Fashion & Design late last month.

The annual event, produced by the Washington Metro City Center (WMCC) of the International Interior Design Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter (IIDA-MAC), paid tribute to the environments we live in and that surround us by transforming them into wearable works of art.

That’s right — manufacturing partners created apparel out of interior materials such as tile, carpet, wood, vinyl, glass
and rubber — creating a bridge between fashion and architecture.

Each year, designers plan their participation around a central theme.  Past themes have included local area landmarks such as the Smithsonian Museums, Embassies, American Presidents, the National Zoo… even an Under The Big Top circus theme. This year’s theme sparked a new sensation.  The point was the change the ENVIRONMENT, literally pulling their design inspiration from the definition of environment: the surroundings or conditions in which a person, plant or animal lives or operates.

For the 8th annual event, judges, including Michael McCarthy (Editor-in- Chief, DC Modern Luxury), Kim Elleen (Chief Washington Reporter for the Boston Herald & Fashion Designer – Kim Elleen Collection), Fashion
& Interior Stylist Stara Pezeshkian, awarded the following winners:

The 2017 Cosmo Couture was fashionable and fun, but also served to benefit Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC (RTDC) and its mission to preserve and revitalize low-income homes and community facilities in our Nation’s Capital.
RTDC makes free home repairs for low-income DC homeowners who are Veterans, elderly, disabled, or caring for young children in seriously deteriorating conditions as well as assisting nonprofit community centers that serve DC’s most vulnerable citizens of all ages.

 Image credit Scott Kelly