Elvis Lights up the Stage in Lumenate® at IIDA BostonJanuary 2026
When rock ’n’ roll first hit the mainstream, it didn’t ask for permission; it sparked an explosion. That same unapologetic spirit fueled Boston Light Source and their partners Fusion Design, Strategic Spaces, and Kimball International as they reunited to create a one-of-a-kind fashion piece for the IIDA Boston Fashion Show, Off the Record, a celebration of the music of the century.
The title piece, “Wop-Bam-Boom,” is where lighting meets fashion. Inspired by Elvis and the moment music burst from black-and-white television into full Technicolor, the design channels rockabilly rebellion for today’s world—loud, bright, and alive with motion.
Rooted in sharp monochrome, the design erupts into electric neon fruit hues, fusing retro silhouettes with bold pops of color, sound, and light. It’s a celebration of contrast: past and present, fashion and performance, restraint and release.
“Wop-Bam-Boom” was constructed from materials as energized as the music itself. LED sheets and custom-printed lighting elements were paired with PET felt, chair mesh, leather scraps, metal grommets, packaging and sofa piping, and finish samples pulled directly from the design industry. These industrial materials were layered seamlessly with streetwear staples of bold sunglasses and statement boots making the piece feel both runway-ready and genuinely wearable.
Anchoring the entire look is a glowing portrait of Elvis illuminating the back of the garment. More than an image, it acts as a beacon of this design bringing the icon to life while grounding the design at the intersection of fashion, artful lighting, and performance.
A key element of the design is the custom-fabricated printed face created on Lumetta’s exclusive Lumenate® material, then fused to a frosted acrylic lens to enhance durability and illumination. The portrait was backlit with an LED sheet, creating an even, vibrant glow that animated the image. The result is a lighting element that feels both technical and expressive perfectly aligned with the spirit of the piece.
For the cape, the team utilized Lumetta’s L2 Acoustic material as the primary fabric. Additional strips of the same material were cut and repurposed to harness the cape to the model and secure lighting cords, seamlessly blending function and form into a cohesive, sculptural silhouette.
Set to the song “Tutti Frutti,” the look pulsed with rhythm and swagger as it moved down the runway. The music reinforced the sense of ignition of rock ’n’ roll’s first shout, reimagined through light, texture, and color.
The piece was modeled by Emily Cring of Kimball International, whose confident presentation brought the design’s attitude, bringing lighting in fashion fully to life.
The project also marked a meaningful reunion for Fusion Design, Strategic Spaces, Boston Light Source, and Kimball International. Coming together again at IIDA Boston as industry leaders—firm principals, designers, architects, and project managers—it was the first time these teams had returned to the runway together in more than a decade. This was a full-circle moment—and a reminder that style, like music, always lands its way back, louder and brighter than before.
Take a peek at another IIDA Fashion Show that Lumetta participated in.
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