PILLOW ART CHALLENGE
AND
SILENT AUCTION
BENEFITING INVINCIBLE ME
BOOTH #646
Wednesday, April 8, 10:00 AM Thursday, April 9, 2:00 PM
BIDDING OPEN
Thursday, April 9, 2:30 PM
WINNERS ANNOUNCED
Invincible Me is an initiative founded by three inspiring women who wish to share the blessings of their
lives with those women whose stories are often left untold and great talents left undiscovered.
Koni Kim, CEO, Koni TV
Michelle Finn, SVP, ST Media Group
Nicole Fischer, VP, Koni TV
Various leading designers in the hospitality industry have joined with us to create a range of uniquely
beautiful and luxurious products in conjunction with various women shelters. These products will be
available through different hospitality channels in future with the profit going directly back to the
organizations that support battered women.
Designers
If you are a designer, come and join us to empower women through your creativity by designing unique
luxury, organic and sustainable products that can be hand made by the women supported by this
initiative.
Suppliers
If you are a supplier, your donated materials provide amazing resources for these women to create
unique designs.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer in any role, your time, love and support is immeasurable and
incomparable.
[email protected] • 619 – 754 - 6554
First Place Winner
People’s Choice Award
Melissa Pyell
Interior Designer - Gensler
Invincible Me, a charity supporting battered women, inspires a bold graphic
quote by French Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, a philosopher who
believed and wrote about individual freedom. . .”In the midst of winter, I
found there was, within me, an invincible summer”. The emotional statement is
visually strengthened by dark colored text blossoming into a vivid blue as if
coming to life.
The backside of the pillow captures a photograph of a young woman by
photographer Dafy Hagai. Both a female model and photographer were
selected to empower women and serve as a positive role model. The young
woman in the pool exudes independence, confidence, and a sense of being
invincible.
DONATED MATERIALS:
Photography: Dafy Hagai
Fabric: Carnegie
Fabrication: Quiltcraft
Printing: Primary Color
Melissa is an interior designer with Gensler, creating premier
hospitality interiors for top brands worldwide. Melissa
specializes in high-profile, stylized projects in need of a
unique concept layered with one-of-a kind design and decor.
Her portfolio includes hotel & resorts, restaurants, lounges,
nightclubs, ballrooms, spas and salons. By fusing her
experience in hospitality interiors and branded environments,
Melissa’s designs are characterized by a thoughtful
approach, strong emotional impact and extreme out-of-thebox thinking. Melissa enjoys surprising her clients with
unexpected design solutions they never dreamed of but love.
A Nebraska native and graduate of the University of
Nebraska, College of Architecture, Melissa has spent over a
decade being active in Southern California’s hospitality
design industry. Melissa is currently the NEWH Chair Elect for
Orange County and has played a major role in growing the
chapter.
Kathy Dalwood Artist (http://www.kathydalwood.com/)
Kathy is known for what she calls the “Secret Society” installations,
which are a collection of plaster busts and objects.
Beleco has used her sculptures in hotel projects
and we are pleased that she gave permission to let us use
“Mme Maigret” for the Pillow Art Challenge.
Integra Fabrics Resource (http://www.integrafabrics.com/
Debbie McArthur and her team collaborated with Beleco,
providing the material, the printing and fabricated the pillow.
The photograph used for the artwork is property of Beleco
and we give full permission to use images and our name(s)
in promotional material on-site and post events.
Christian Schnyder Principal
Owner and Principal Christian Schnyder has
more than 30 years of experience as a design
director and interior designer for world- renown
restaurant, hospitality and high-end residential
projects, as well as an award-winning Los
Angeles design firm. His solid architectural roots,
down-to-earth demeanor and passion for uniting
people through design make him a truly effective
leader and much sought-after collaborator.
Christian has an M.A. in Architecture from the
Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCIArc) and a B.A. in Architecture and Interior
Design from his native country of Switzerland.
Beleco is a full-service interior design
firm dedicated to transforming notable
residential and hospitality interiors
around the globe into beautiful yet
functional environments. At Beleco, we
live to tell stories. We love to be of
service. And we always put good design
first.
Design Concept
The Delawie design team was
inspired by the Monarch School
origami butterfly. Where a simple
paper square is folded and
transformed into a work of beauty.
Where students are transformed
through learning and experiences to
expand their horizons.
Utilizing recycled leather and vinyl
samples, the pillow structure face
was fabricated by interlocking over
600 die cut pieces. Transforming,
Recycling, and using simple materials
in an unusual manner.
Delawie Pillow Art team (left to right) Erin Bilz, Katie Toth, Wan Su Lim, Joshua Larson, Abe Ruiz
Delawie was founded in 1961 by Homer Delawie. Architectural and Interior Design Firm that serves both public and private clients in
the hospitality, education, corporate and biotech market. Current projects are primarily within the southwestern states and Asia. Our
goal is to continue to provide our clients with exceptional design delivered with integrity and a commitment to services.
Deborah Main, better known as The Pillow Goddess, is the
artist and designer behind Austin-based pillow studio Deborah
Main Designs. With no background in design or sewing, a
surprise burst of creative inspiration led Deborah to handcraft
a collection of over 50 one-of-a-kind pillows. As a result, in
2004, she launched Deborah Main Designs, offering her truly
unique works of art to the luxury marketplace.
With a centric focus on the crafting of decorative pillows, and a
true love for mixing both vintage textiles and jewel
embellishments with new fabrics, Deborah continues to chart
new territories in the luxury home accessories industry. Her oneof-a-kind pillows, the recipient of three Best Home Accessories
Awards from Austin Fashion Week, are sought out by interior
designers, home furnishing showrooms, and high-end fine linen
and gift boutiques across the country. Deborah’s soft goods
continue to grace the pages of home and lifestyle publications.
Inspired by the interiors of the“Boutique
18 Honorees for 2015”, I wanted to
handcraft a pillow that not only featured
my signature style of texture and color,
but also maintained the clean modern
lines of hospitality spaces. Inspired by
the warm colors of luxury boutique hotel
interiors, I placed a copper mesh ribbon
underneath the French trim so that the
color peeks through the intricately cut
metallic pattern. I then knew exactly
which textile would be perfect to give
the pillow that modern sensibility - a new
copper and black, diamond-pattern silk
brocade that I hand-selected in Suzhou
China.
The artistic process of creating the
centerpiece, working with black Victorian lace at first, soon evolved into a four-layer applique I meticulously
handcrafted. A richly textured, vintage black leather belt with warm golden wooden beads was my focal point to be
framed by the vintage French trim. To offset the organic nature and movement of the beads, I contrasted the textures
by creating an ultra-soft, luxurious bed of vintage Chinchilla fur (instead of using the lace). Suddenly, my applique was
transformed from a vintage French design into a tribal centerpiece with a definitive global, yet elegant and modern
look and feel. How perfect for the international clientele of the hospitality industry.
Our goal for this challenge was to
create a piece of art that sends a
positive message to all women and
that supports the Invincible Me
charity.
Our pillow of art is 18” x 18”, made
of cotton, hand painted in bright red
colors using sharpies and rubbing
alcohol to create a watercolor effect.
As a final touch we added the
following handwritten quote:
•
Be Kind
•
Be Curious
•
Be Smart
•
Be Brave
•
Be Yourself
Fabric and pillow fabrication donated by
Andrew Morgan Furniture
2835 La Mirada Dr. Ste. C
Vista California 92081
760-727-1444
[email protected]
SIDI team (left to right) Jeanette Gardner, Jan Solomon, Lucia Contreras
Jan Solomon Principal Designer
With a studio in the design district in Solana Beach, California and over 20 years of experience creating distinctive signature
environments, Jan leads her team in the architecture, design and brand development of a variety of spaces that are always ahead
of current trends. As a native Canadian, she has a love for the outdoors, especially when it comes to glamping in her airstream.
Jeanette Gardner Sr. Hospitality Designer
Jeanette always knew she wanted to be a designer being the child of a fine artist and an engineer. With 15 years of experience,
her expertise in hospitality design includes many hotel, restaurant, bar and retail projects. Growing up in L.A, she developed a love
of independent music, art and culture, and continues to be the resident artist at the firm
Lucia Contreras Studio Manager
Born and raised in Northern Mexico, Lucia always had a love for design as well as an affinity for business. Since moving to San
Diego two years ago, she has been able to fulfill many roles at sidi, including design, management, purchasing, marketing and
client relations. She is now fully immersed into the California lifestyle by doing yoga, paddle boarding and going to dog beach
with her puppy Olivia Gremlin.
Ann Borrelli Smith,
Owner, DPOVinteriors
Favorite Quote:
PILLOW DESIGN INSPIRATION
“CHOOSE A
JOB THAT
YOU LOVE,
AND YOU
WILL NEVER
HAVE TO
WORK A DAY
IN YOUR
LIFE”
The motivation behind the pillow designs derive
from empowering social movements for young girls
and women. They build upon the Invincible Me
charity and mission. It is combining beautiful
artwork with social awareness by using hashtags for
social media to spread the word.
#LikeAGirl is a campaign centered around
destroying the negative phrase run, throw or fight
“like a girl”. It brings to light the importance of
young girls self-esteem and confidence Instead, of
using the phrase negatively, it is turning it around in
a positive light.
#GirlsRising is another important effort bringing
awareness to help educate young girls and
women throughout the world. Every girl should
have the right to go to school. Educating girls can
transform civilizations.
Both of these pillows were made possible from
Wendover Art Group and Read Window Products,
Inc.
PILLOW DESIGNS
Confucius
DESIGNER INSIGHT
Ann Borrelli Smith is passionate about design, architecture,
art and traveling. A passion she first embraced as a child
while watching her mother paint and draw. Her creativity
continued to be fostered thru various art courses, exposure
to museums, broadway shows and travel.
With more than 15 years experience at several
firms, Ann, developed a name for herself. She has worked
on projects in the areas of residential, commercial, and
hospitality design. For almost 10 years she has worked in the
Vacation Ownership Resort Industry.
Naturally, the next
step was to venture out on her own and establish
DPOVinteriors. A company providing turn key services
where she continues to create award winning signature
designs.
DESIGN PHILIOSPHY
We firmly believe that there are no finite solutions or set
formulas. Approaching projects in this manner assures that
each client’s individual needs are addressed. Therefore,
projects are not defined by a particular style. Our vision
remains consistent thru core principles.
The creation of unique projects is also achieved through
inspiration, and knowledge. Our team finds inspiration in
travels, literature, media, nature and fashion. And it places
equal importance to emerging trends and innovative
products and methods of construction.
Together with the execution of our core principles the final
product is one that exceeds the client’s expectation.
Knowledge, experience and passion are the driving force
behind DPOVinteriors Boutique Studio’s design approach
and aesthetic.
SERVICES
DPOVinteriors is a full service interior design studio, providing
exclusive attention and dedication to our client's. Our studio
specializes in hospitality design with a solid background in
the resort vacation ownership industry. We also design
interiors for residential, commercial, public spaces, and
restaurant projects.
DPOVinteriors | Hospitality Design Solutions| [email protected] | www.DPOVinteriors.com
BARRETT DESIGN STUDIO / CELIA
BARRETT Our pillow design is inspired
by Outer Space. The blue velvet “egg”
pillow was used in our HI Connect
vignette in Nashville this year. The
booth had a “Hotel in Space” theme.
Using the “Rings of Saturn” and the vast
sea of stars in the Galaxy, we added a
silver “ring” and many “stars” using
samples from our library. Thanks to
Koni Hospitality for donating the pillow
from our vignette.
Celia Barrett, A.S.I.D., I.I.D.A., NEWH is
the principal and owner of Barrett
Design Studio, LLC, a Hospitality
Design firm located in Jackson,
Mississippi with a satellite office in
New York City. An interior designer
for more than 30 years, Ms. Barrett
has been a senior project designer for
several leading New York City
architectural firms. She was also a
Senior Store Designer for Macy’s
Corporate Stores handling New
Jersey and partial upstate New York.
She formed her own business in New
York in 1989. She recently moved to
her home state of Mississippi to be
with her family, keeping her New York
Office.
Woven Remnants
Concept
Weaving brings strength to the delicate strings of life. Even the scraps that others might discard are brought
together showing that every experience in the life of a domestic abuse victim adds to the final product.
Materials
Using the very basic weaving technique, remnant fabrics and ribbons were used to show that even what was
originally going to be discarded can become something beautiful once woven together to create something new.
Teri Krohm, a graduate from Scottsdale Community College with an
AA in Interior Design and FIDER/CIDA Certification, Teri has worked
eight (8)years for Best Western International.
aforceofbeauty
During the course of an abusive relationship, often the victim loses their sense of beauty and self-worth.
They are fragile, easily damaged, accommodating. Only after they begin to recognize their value,
can they begin to build the strength it takes to enter the most dangerous phase in the cycle of abuse, and leave their abuser.
This pillow represents those many emotions of delicacy, accommodation, softness, reflectivity and ultimately strength.
Designers
Laura Christenson has worked Best Western for 3 years.
She graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design.
Kristina Valenzuela has worked for Best Western for 8 months.
She graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor’s in Interior Design.
and Tourism Development and Management programs.
Materials
Sheer fabrics donated by P/Kaufmann represent the fragile, somewhat damaged stage.
The metallic vinyl donated by S.Harris represents that realization of value and beauty.
The velvet back donated by Fabricut represents the softness of the victim’s spirit.
The green vinyl donated by Douglass Industries shows the strength that is developed
in order to leave. It is green and it is textured-scarred from the abuse,
but still full with the color of the life yet to be lived.
P/Kaufmann-Mod
P/Kaufmann-Mod KnitSquare Crimped Sheer Burrow Douglass Industries Cosmopolitan
Fabricut-Virtue
S Harris - Indulge
Diamond Flower for a Lifetime
The chenille fabric of this
pillow shows the soft, gentle
soul that has endured the
domestic abuse.
The diamonds represent the
strong untouchable will
within the invincible woman.
The flower, signifies the
woman blossoming,
becoming Invincible Me.
Premier Hospitality
Based out of Los Angeles, CA, Premier
Hospitality USA is the culmination of 30
years of dedication, experience and quality
assurance in various products and services.
Manufacturing and restoring various
products including wood and upholstered
seating, case goods and textiles, Premier
Hospitality USA has dedicated itself to
providing distinctive designs with
unparalleled attention to detail with a
vision and commitment to excellence in the
design and fabrication of our products.
Joseph Cabrera, President – Premier Hospitality USA
My inspiration in the creation of this pillow was to
generate the awareness that “LOVE” HEALS ALL. When
we open our hearts and share our love with others, it heals
our hearts, our minds and our souls.
I wanted to create a pillow that can be easily reproduced
by other ladies and gentlemen that want to express their
talents through the creation of a similar pillow. The
rainbow colors represent the infinite possibility of being
from a singular live source. The hand writing “LOVE”
can be written in the language of their
choice utilizing different shapes and forms to express their
own creative talents.
Once these pillows are reproduced by the shelters
population we can sell them through our Invincible Me
online stores and hotel gift shops around the world to
raise funds for our organization and our shelters. We
hope this message of LOVE awareness contributes to the
reduction of the domestic violence and violence of all
kinds that is too prevalent in our world today.
Design legend Koni Kim has had a profound impact on the hospitality industry and her product
innovations have significantly improved the hotel guest’s experience. She is considered a
visionary in the field. The bedding and drapery concepts she introduced have beͲ come adopted
and embraced by hotels and resorts worldwide. With 30 years in hospitality soft goods (bedding,
drapery, linens and bath products) and innovations that include the Westin Heavenly Bed® duvet
ensemble, Kim embodies creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Contributing Designers
Thank you for your support