BOFFO Building Fashion 2011

The second annual BOFFO Building Fashion contest will begin on September 1st, 2011. BOFFO is an arts and culture non-profit based in New York City’s Tribeca district, with a mission to educate and inform the public through innovative exhibitions and events while at the same time providing exposure for up-and-coming artists and designers.

What exactly is Building Fashion, you might ask? In an attempt to sum it all up in a single sentence, it’s a celebration of cutting edge design that seeks to unite innovative architects with acclaimed fashion designers.

BOFFO has hand-picked fashion designers in order to showcase their work within a series of temporary retail installations, with the continued support of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. This initiative will give the designers a unique opportunity to work with architects and display their work “in their first free standing retail environment.”

Receiving support from founding partner Supima Cotton, BOFFO Building Fashion designers will produce limited edition pieces to be sold exclusively through BOFFO and on location.

It might not yet be clear to you where architecture comes into this. Well, be confused no more. Having started on May 20th and set to run through until July 4th, BOFFO is conducting a worldwide competition in partnership with Architizer in search of world-class architects to pair with their hand-picked selection of preeminent fashion designers.

Architects are asked to submit design proposals expressing their vision of a retail space for their fashion designer of choice. Winning architects are awarded $20,000 to build and realize their vision. So in a nutshell, the fashion designers create the top class clothes while the architects design a cutting edge retail space that embodies a message that both the designer and the architect want to get across in the work.

The retail location has been set for the 19th-Century cast-iron, landmarked building at 57 Walker Street in Tribeca. That’s reason enough to check out the event alone. Each architect’s collaboration will transform 57 Walker Street into an original retail environment, rotating every two weeks, to showcase designs on par with the caliber and prestige demonstrated by the supporting fashion designer.

The Building Fashion jury –  who will eventually decide who is worthy of the top prize – will include BOFFO, Architizer and industry leaders including DS&R’s Charles Renfro, Architectonic’s Winka Dubbledam, High Line Co-Founder Robert Hammond and other esteemed industry professionals.

Nicola Formichetti –  the newly appointed creative director for Mugler and fashion director to Lady Gaga – is scheduled to be the first designer to retail at Building Fashion this year. She will occupying 57 Walker Street between September 1st and 14th. We advise you not to miss out on this unique, boutique opportunity to purchase pieces from some of the fashion industry’s leading lights, and to view some stunning architectural projects while you shop. A full schedule for Building Fashion 2011 can be found below.

Building Fashion 2011 Schedule: 

• Nicola Formichetti  |  September 1-14
• Irene Neuwirth  |  September 22-October 5
• Patrik Ervell   |  October 13-26
• The Lake & Stars  |  November 3-16
• Ohne Titel  |  December 1-14

Image Credit: Richard Chai Pop Up Shop