Photos from Cosmo Couture 2015

Check out some of our favorite ensembles from Cosmo Couture 2015, the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter‘s annual fundraiser that pairs local design firms with manufacturer partners to create runway-worthy looks.

Cosmo Couture — the annual fundraising event hosted by the IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter — is easily one of the Washington metro area’s most raucous and well-attended industry events, attracting over 700 designers, architects, and manufacturer reps. But the chapter exceeded even the highest expectations with this year’s running, hosted on September 24 in D.C.’s historic Howard Theatre, whipping the crowd into a near frenzy by sending “Donna Summer”, “Tina Turner”, and “Ella Fitzgerald” — in drag — down the runway.

Here’s Ella:

Of course, while the “halftime show” always attracts attention, it’s not the whole point: proceeds from this year’s event will benefit Rebuilding Together DC, a national nonprofit that rehabs homes for low-income homeowners. Here, IIDA MAC President Jennifer Kirby presents a representative from Rebuilding Together with the check:

And, of course, there’s the fashion show. The organizers assigned each one of this year’s teams a Smithsonian museum from which they were encouraged to draw inspiration. Take, for example, “Best Performance” winner Eighth Day Design, who teamed up with Clarus Glassboards to create a get-up inspired by the National Museum of the American Indian:

Gensler Baltimore and OFS Brands combined forces to create this gown, inspired by the Arts and Industries Building:

And the talented designers at Hickok Cole Architects teamed up with Maharam to fabricate this selfie-worthy frock, a nod to The Renwick Gallery:

HYL Architecture got together with the folks at Daltile to design this dress, inspired by the Freer | Sackler galleries — the Smithsonian’s museums of Asian art:

And finally, a parting shot of “Best Interpretation of Theme” winner, HOK, who teamed up with Forms+Surfaces to create this showstopping number, inspired by the “Music and Culture” exhibit at the National Museum of African Art:

Thanks again to IIDA MAC for another memorable Cosmo Couture! For more photos and details about the event, click here.