LA-based costume designer Michael Schmidt and NY architect Francis Bitoni made history this spring when they collaborated to design the world’s first 3-D printed gown for none other than burlesque glamour girl and diva Dita Von Teese.  For the first time anywhere, a work of fashion conceived and engineered in powdered nylon by the revolutionary process of 3D printing can move like a textile.

Together with 3-D printing innovator Shapeways, Schmidt and Bitoni transformed a sketch into code that in turn was sculpted into shape.  The resulting nylon “print” included over 300 individual articulations that allowed the structure of the gown to be malleable, and essentially wearable.  Add to that the understated but gorgeous shimmer of Swarovski jet black crystals and you get one drop-dead, high-tech frock the likes of which the world has never seen before.

Join Michael Schmidt and Rose Apodaca for a very special event at LACMA presented by the Costume Council.  Schmidt will talk about his nearly three-decade career as artisan, costume designer, and installation artist with Apodaca, pop culture and design writer, curator and consultant. They will discuss the award-winning documentary about Schmidt’s landmark New York nightclub, SqueezeBox; his Emmy-nominated work; his large-scale interior installations for public environs; and his work as special projects designer for Los Angeles-based luxury house Chrome Hearts.

Michael Schmidt with Rose Apodaca Presented by the Costume Council
LACMA, Bing Theater
June 12 – 7pm to 9pm
Purchase tickets here.

Image: Albert Sanchez

The Workshop Series
Join BizBash IdeaFest and the Event Leadership Institute in a series of intensive workshops is designed to give you the hands-on skills needed to hone your craft and advance your career, while preparing you to tackle new challenges and opportunities.

Trade Show Floor
From linens and lollipops, to venues, video, and more, the IdeaFest show floor has the leading Southern California partners and products to make your ideas reality.

Event Innovation Forum—Los Angeles
Following the success of the New York and South Florida Event Innovation Forums, the Event Innovation Forum—Los Angeles will feature a curated series of presentations by creative thinkers and industry thought leaders sharing insights and innovative ideas to take your event, business, and career to the next level.

Through collaboration and education, attendees can network and find the latest in creative, effective ideas on events and meetings. Don’t miss out on the ultimate soiree of the summer!

Save 20% off your trade show floor pass with the code BBDESIGN. For group rates to the Forum, email spaladino@bizbash.com

BizBash IdeaFest Los Angeles
Los Angeles Convention Center
June 19, 2013
7:30am – 5pm

In an effort to showcase the expansive history of Wilshire Boulevard and all the architectural beauty surrounding it, Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A, an initiative of The Getty, presents CicLAvia: Iconic Wilshire Boulevard - a rare opportunity for Angelenos to experience this well-known drive on a different set of wheels.

Grab your bike, hop on your skateboard, or just lace up your sneakers for this summer’s CicLAvia event, where architecture is the main attraction. From Victorian-era buildings to avantgarde structures on Museum Row, experience the city’s architectural evolution through today’s modernist and post-modern additions to Wilshire Boulevard. Other art and architecture-related activities will be featured along the CicLAvia route, including workshops by Mobile Mural Lab, artist Marni Gittleman, and more.

Accompany your ride with a special podcast by noted architectural researcher and commentator, Edward Lifson, and an architectural guide by UC Riverside Associate Professor of History Catherine Gudis (soon to be available on the CicLAvia website). Immerse yourself in Los Angeles’ history during this unforgettable event!

CicLAvia: Iconic Wilshire Boulevard
Wilshire Boulevard, from Downtown to Miracle Mile
June 23, 2013
10am – 3pm

Photo credit: CicLAvia, Gary Leonard, Ellis-Sawyer

This summer, explore the role of design in an important global conversation on how design is transforming business, transportation, education and the public sector, as the Design Management Institute - an international nonprofit organization that seeks to heighten awareness of design as an essential part of business strategy - brings the 2013 Design Thinking Conference to Los Angeles for the first time. 

“Regardless of which area of the endeavor you happen to be passionate or involved in, now is the time for design to help jumpstart transformations where it matters,” says 2013 Conference Co-Chair Andreas Forsland. “Why LA? Because California is the 12th largest economy in the world. Let’s start here.”

Draw upon the experience and creativity from this year’s distinguished assembly of speakers, who will share valuable stories and resources for forging the path towards innovative design for the next economy. Find inspiration and learn how real world solutions are helping start-ups and large organizations put open innovation, social innovation and technology to work to solve complex global challenges.

“Clearly the world is changing in front of our eyes,” remarks 2013 Conference Co-Chair Ravi Sawhney. “Design will play its role in designing the Next Economy. Let’s explore how and why we will do this.”

Early registration ends on May 1st – don’t wait til it’s too late (and save $200)! More about the conference and ticket information here: http://bit.ly/11ypEe3

Designing the Next Economy
DMI Design Thinking Conference/Santa Monica
June 17-19, 2013
Fairmont Miramar Hotel, Santa Monica, CA

Held on June 21st, ASID Design Awards 2013 attendees will enjoy a red carpet reception, fine dining, and entrance to the awards gala at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Rub shoulders with today’s finest designers and industry influencers, while supporting the ASID Foundation partnership with The 1% program of Public Architecture, through a live and silent auction. Attendees will have the chance to bid on one-of-a-kind experiences and products dedicated to celebrating design, such as one week at an Italian villa, lunch and a NYC design tour with Jamie Drake, a KnollStudio Wassily Chair and more.

Past award recipients have been recognized across the following categories: the ASID Designer of Distinction Award, ASID Nancy Vincent McClelland Award for impacting the profession through education, research, or value promotion, ASID Design for Humanity Award, and the Innovation Award. 

Celebrate this year’s advances in design and reserve your tickets while you still can!
Tickets are available for both members and the general public for $200.

For more information, please click here.

To purchase your ticket, click here or visit ASID at Dwell on Design to view the Society’s full program.

Please visit the Foundation’s website for a full list of auction items and donors.

Chung King Road continues to be at the epicenter of the arts and culture renaissance of LA’s Chinatown.  Don’t miss this special evening under the crimson glow of lanterns as East and West Plaza galleries and shops stay open late to showcase the latest exhibitions, design products, and maybe even a bit of puppet theater.

We’ll release a full list of participating galleries and shops and more program details in the coming weeks.  Check back soon for more info.  For now, all we can say is that California Home and Design will be hosting a special reception at Fifth Floor Gallery and you may catch a glimpse of some dragons!

Photo by Neil Fitz Patrick

SuperCaliProductionisticDesignaliciousExhibitalidocious: It’s not easy to say, but it may become the new mantra for the next generation of California furniture makers.  Find out more about the state of modern furniture craft this summer when The Furniture Society hosts their annual symposium in Los Angeles.  In a departure from the Society’s typical conference format, FS13: LA symposium will harness the energy and talent of LA’s design community to explore issues critical to designer-makers today.  

The annual symposium unites leading furniture makers, design thinkers, and curators from across the country for a series of lectures, factory and studio tours and exhibitions.  Featured exhibitions will take place throughout downtown LA.

Faculty Selects is juried selection of top student furniture work in the country, juried by Parks and Rec actor (and accomplished carpenter and designer-maker) Nick Offerman & Emily Zaiden.  The exhibition will be on view at Dwell on Design.

Craft + Design explores the intersection of furniture design and contemporary life.  Featured works embody quality craftsmanship, good design and share the specific goal of being made by hand in a production environment.  Craft + Design will be on view at Fifth Floor Gallery in Chinatown.  The opening reception is Friday June 21, 2013 from 6pm – 9pm.

100% California is another special exhibition curated by Regina Connell of the digital and print magazine Handful of Salt and Forest Dickey, lead designer and owner of Varian Designs.  The exhibition will feature furniture, textiles, ceramics and a variety of home and lifestyle accessories from a wide variety of designers, makers, and independent creators.  The venue will be announced soon.

In addition to special exhibitions, The Furniture Society will also be hosting a series of three tours of local factories and design studios.  Master period furniture maker Alf Sharp gives some historical perspective with a lecture and tour of the Getty Center.  Makers will also explore beyond LA if they take the tour of the Maloof Foundation in Alta Loma and the Gamble House in Pasadena.  And the Furniture Society will also offer a varied tour that includes a stop at the iconic Eames House, a pop-in at the Getty Villa in Malibu, and peek inside the Modernica Factory.  Optional lunch included with this tour.

SuperCaliProductionisticDesignaliciousExhibitalidocious really shines a spotlight on the impressive talent that California has to offer; then, now, and tomorrow.

Exhibitions are free and open to the public (with the exception of Faculty Selects which is hosted at Dwell on Design).  Tours are also open to the public at a non-member rate. FInd out more, view the full schedule of events, and register or purchase tickets here.

Lyft is a mobile app that lets you request a ride from a hand-selected community of drivers.  Part of the emerging and growing sharing economy, Lyft basically offers peer-to-peer transportation, connecting people a community of people who need a ride with a community of drivers who are more than happy to give them one.  It’s ride sharing with a pink mustache and lots of fist bumps.  Over 40% of the drivers in LA are women and many of them come from the creative communities.  Besides getting a lift from point A to point B, you’ll be in good company and may even make a new friend.

During LADF, our guests will receive $25 off their first ride, which is basically the average cost of a ride across town.  Download the app here.  Learn more about Lyft here.  Take it for a test drive before LADF and let us know what you think.  And when June rolls around, go forth and enjoy your city.  The ride is on us!

Now the work begins for the esteemed jury that includes food writer Margot Dougherty, LA restaurateur Warner Ebbink, and architect George Kelly, who have the deliciously difficult task of sifting through hundreds of photos, menus, plans and other materials to find the spaces that best master the balance between good design and good food.

Find out who makes it to the finals and vote for your top choice for top toques in the People’s Choice Awards in May. The 2013 winners will be announced on Saturday, June 15th at a special reception at Dwell on Design.  The wait should make victory that much sweeter for some very talented architects and designers out there!

Buy your tickets here to attend the Restaurant Design Awards or check back soon for more info.

Check back soon to see the full calendar of events.  Among the highlights in 2013, Dwell on Design and Pacific Standard Time: Modern Architecture in LA events, as well as countless special exhibitions, parties, gallery and showroom openings, and of course, tours.

Anyone who has a point of view on design is invited to join in the festivities by hosting an event or program during the Design Festival.  Submit your event here.

Be a part of the conversation.  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Come on Los Angeles.  Show us (and the world) what you’ve got!