I don’t know any other design industry event that has more energy, creativity or enthusiasm for the spirit and power of design the way the IIDA New York Chapter’s Color Invasion does, and continues to outdo itself with each year. As undoubtedly the best attended event by design professionals in New York City, the Color Invasion is one night of intense celebration that took eight months to plan and needs to be all packed up by the time the crew leaves the very same night of the party. If you ask any of the 1,500 attendees, many of them wouldn’t really know that this is a fundraiser disguised as one of the biggest interior design parties of the year.
Going strong in New York for more than 15 years, the Color Invasion raises money for IIDA NY Chapter’s Student Design Awards program, along with a designated charity. This year, and for the last five Color Invasion events, the charity recipient has been The Pajama Program. This organization understands deeply how many children in this country don’t have a stable home life, or a home at all.
“Aside from the pajamas and books we get tonight at the Color Invasion, we love raising awareness for our mission, which is to support every child’s right to a good night and a good day,” said Jamie Dyce, Executive Director of The Pajama Program. “What we have learned after working on this issue for more than 16 years is that it is not just about providing clothing or reading words on a page; these actions become an olive branch between child and adult. The books we share with the children are really a tool to open minds and communication, and to get people to open up in general.
Bedtime is one of the most vulnerable times for a child, and we believe the day starts at nighttime, because without a good night’s rest, a child can’t get up in the morning and be ready for whatever life brings them. Our goal is to have all our children be self-actualized, and they can’t do that without being properly rested.”
The theme for this year’s Color Invasion festivities was “Deep Blue Sea.” Honoring the memory of industry pioneer Selena Thompson, who would often arrive in an outrageous costume for Color Invasion each year, the IIDA New York Chapter encouraged all attendees to arrive in an ocean or nautical themed costume. The collective spirit for the event was full of a palpable earnestness this year, even though this event fell, for the first time, after the world’s other biggest costume party, Halloween. I overheard conversations throughout the night with phrases like, “The economy is still in good shape; no large obstacles on the horizon; looks like smooth sailing.” I even noticed a few retired industry veterans returning to the party scene and visiting old friends.
Ginger Gilden, interior designer at IA Interior Architects and last year’s IIDA NY Chapter president, also happens to be VP of Sponsorship for IIDA NY.
“The Color Invasion committee designs each exhibit you see around you,” she said. “They sketch it up, and then look for industry sponsorship.”
There were delightful vignettes sprinkled throughout the cavernous space, located in West Chelsea, the former 80’s nightclub called The Tunnel. Clarus Glassboards sponsored a sunken treasure installation; OFS Brands sponsored a kelp garden entrance to the party and excellent backdrop for photos. And there was no shortage of ways to engage with friends at the party. Color motifs leaned towards green and blue, with a healthy dose of fluorescent anything thrown in for good measure.
“We are not able to set anything up for Color Invasion until the day of the event,” noted Ms. Gilden. “At 11p.m. tonight, it is almost like after the ball drops in Times Square. We must clean this place up quickly and leave.”
When it comes down to realizing if all the effort for this event is worth the result, Ms. Gilden said, “This is our fifth year working with Pajama Program, and we also fund our Student Design Awards with this event; it is the largest fundraiser for our chapter, so yes, it is all very much worth it.”
As if all the homegrown design talent of themed vignettes and set decor throughout the space wasn’t good enough, there were also several professional costumed characters walking amongst the guests, be they mermaids, squids or even a dreaded Kracken; their extra dose of character and something special made the evening that much more unique. The festive mood that night could not have been better. I felt surrounded by good natured attitudes and a genuine appreciation for working in a creative environment.
Visitors were given a light up bracelet upon entering the event as their admission pass. In fact, lots of other party favors provided by Color Invasion were also producing an eerie glow and reinforcing the theme of Deep Blue Sea. Like any good group of designers, the Color Invasion Committee produced an environment that became a great host, and facilitated a much-needed space for networking, having fun, and celebrating this event that was put on for the design community, by the design community.
Party attendees came in droves. Many were dressed in nautical-themed garb and really embraced the spirit of the event with the quality and thoughtfulness of their costumes. In an industry where identity and accountability influence so many decisions, it was great to see a large group of industry professionals discard their daily persona and let their hair down among industry coworkers.
Many of the sponsored party stations were decorated with handmade tile compositions by Color Invasion Committee member Allison Eden. All had a nautical theme and fit perfectly.
Thankfully, there were no costume contests or judges seeking out the best dressed of the evening. Color Invasion is not a competition, and everyone who attended was part of the celebration. Throughout the evening, I heard praises from guests for the food, which was just as creative as the costumes and decor, and just as plentiful. I remember several times having the opportunity to grab a fried shrimp from a massive boat being shuttled by two sailor waiters snaking their way through the crowd. Clever performance vignettes like that were happening all around us and encouraged visitors to surrender to the festivities.
I was told this will be the last time the Color Invasion will be happening at the Tunnel location in Manhattan. The search for a new location has already begun; with any luck, a Brooklyn location may be in the running for Color Invasion 2018. It’s just great to see that this design institution continues to inspire and gain influence in an industry that is increasingly occupied with short term gains and quick fixes.
