Photography by Johnny Wolf Studio
After taking a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) recently held the 20th anniversary edition of Color Invasion®.
Celebrating the return of the chapter’s renowned industry event, Color Invasion was held at Manhattan’s Center 415 with an experiential journey based on this year’s theme: Intergalactic Cosmic Extravaganza.
Returning to in-person gatherings, while also celebrating the colorful industry event’s origin, combined to increase the significance of the annual celebration and fundraiser to Chapter members.
IIDA NY’s premier networking and social awareness event welcomed guests with a menu of tasty libations, live entertainment, and other surprises that were uncovered as attendees passed through creatively designed spaces within the venue; all inspired by the Intergalactic Cosmic Extravaganza theme.
The chapter encouraged designers and creative professionals to come dressed in costume coinciding with the Intergalactic Cosmic Extravaganza theme. Always thought provoking, past event themes have included the Roaring ‘20s, Deep Blue Sea, and Sweet Dreams.
Like a party at the Mos Eisley Cantina, revelers were clad in a range of outfits, from Stormtrooper suits to alien-inspired couture—all colorful and fun.
In 2002, IIDA NY launched Color Invasion to bring together hundreds of professionals from New York City’s interior design community, in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Now, 20 years later, design professionals are once again coming together after overcoming another turning point in the city’s history.
“New York City has endured two significant events that have demonstrated our resilience within the past 20 years,” said Sarah Levine, President of IIDA NY. “As we’ve learned from 9/11 and the pandemic, New York City will emerge stronger than ever, and IIDA NY exemplifies this great city’s commitment to community outreach. The 20th anniversary of Color Invasion serves as a special reminder of the generosity and compassion of our volunteers who started this initiative to help those in need.”
In addition to raising proceeds to benefit the chapter’s student award programs, Color Invasion once again partnered with the Pajama Program, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to delivering new pajamas and books to children in need nationwide. This organization promotes and supports a comforting bedtime routine and healthy sleep for children from low-income homes. Pajama Program provides information, materials, and support through a national network of volunteers and partnerships with 4,000 community-based organizations across the United States, including New York City.
While monetary donations are accepted and appreciated in support of the Pajama Program, attendees were encouraged to bring and donate new, unwrapped pajamas and books for infants and children up to 18 years old to the event. For those who didn’t have time to shop, IIDA NY provided a Pajama Program store onsite, where attendees could purchase pajamas and books to donate.
In the season of giving this year’s attendees generously contributed more than $11,000, in addition to hundreds of in-kind donations of pajamas and books. We’re already looking forward to next year’s event, a celebration of our industry and the New York design community.
