In designing the collection, Henderson will draw on his passion for a domestically manufactured solar solution to pressing energy, environmental and economic challenges facing the country and his interest in exploring the technology's aesthetic possibilities.
The theme of the three-way partnership is "Solar Is the New Black." Portland Fashion Week (PFW) and SolarWorld, the show's renewable-energy sponsor, previously announced they would assemble the shows fashion runway from the company's new, black solar panels. For inspiration, Henderson has extensively toured SolarWorld's manufacturing plant in nearby Hillsboro, Ore., the largest in the Americas, where about 1,000 people will work by September 30.
"It's SolarWorld's commitment to being a leader in its industry by keeping innovation always in mind that interests me," explained Henderson, who lives in the Portland area. "There was inspiration from the second I stepped foot in the SolarWorld factory. Innovation and sustainability were overwhelming impressions, and they give me limitless possibilities for a high-concept collection. They're doing a lot of good things in the world, and together with PFW, I love the statement we're making from right here in my back yard."
Organizers of PFW, the nation's leading independent forum spotlighting sustainable fashion-industry designs, practices and concepts, said the collaboration highlights a natural fit between two of the worlds largest industries: energy and fashion.
"SolarWorld's partnership sparked an idea for a high-fashion, conceptual collection based upon the technology, materials and ethos of solar power, inspired by SolarWorld's new black monocrystalline solar panels," PFW co-executive producer Chris Cone said. Fellow executive producer Prasenjit Tito Chowdhury added: "Its a powerful and enticing way to call attention to green fashion and renewable energy, all within a showcase of what will be the worlds first carbon-neutral fashion week production."
Leaders of SolarWorld are equally enthusiastic. "As a company that is exclusively focused on all phases of manufacturing high-performance solar power technology, we are fascinated to watch a talent of Seth Aaron's magnitude interpret the design elements of our technology in a fashion context," said Kevin Kilkelly, SolarWorld's president of U.S. sales. "It's a clear sign that interest in our technology, which we have been producing for 35 years, is reaching beyond its energy performance alone."
