The NEW Construction Zone

BY SANDRA VANSICKLE

For the past 10 years, the Construction Zone has been one of the highlights of the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE). But with the retirement of Terri and Jeff Booser (who did a brilliant job of overseeing the area) and the natural evolution of the interests and needs of window fashion professionals over time, 2020 seemed like the year to revamp the Construction Zone.

I was honored when IWCE’s organizers asked myself and my husband Ken, a window treatment installer, to begin organizing this important element of the Expo. As a wholesale custom home furnishings workroom with more than 40 years of experience, plus my own online training business, I think I have a pretty good pulse on the needs of modern window fashion professionals. Here is my vision for next year’s show.

New Name

The Construction Zone will now be known as Workroom Central. I chose the name because I felt that, within our industry, the workroom is basically the center. Designers start the process by meeting with clients to understand their needs, and then all of the work to be done comes into the workroom. We do the fabrication of window treatments, reupholstered furniture, slipcovers, comforters and pillows, and many other elements. Everything then filters back out into the field and into the installer’s hands.

Also, when we’re at the Expo, everybody gravitates to the hands-on area. There’s a great mix of designers, installers and workrooms all coming here to collaborate, learn new things and share ideas. Given that it’s also the center of the show in many ways, the name Workroom Central makes sense.

New Vision for Artisan Projects

You’ve probably seen the intricate and inventive window treatments that have come from the annual Window Fashion Artisan Project at previous shows and in the pages of Window Fashion VISION.

We’re going to do the artisan projects a little differently this year. Instead of having six winners who take a weekend to fabricate treatments together, this year what we’re going to pick three people to create three vignettes in their own workrooms. Each vignette—which will feature window treatments but could also include furniture and other elements—will be displayed in Workroom Central. A panel of judges will award prizes to each participant. The first-place winner will receive $1,000, the second-place winner will get $500 and the third-place winner will be awarded $250.

In addition, we have one design entry called “Design to Install.” Keeping with the Artisan Project theme, the chosen entry and applicant will provide a design board and the treatment will be fabricated in Workroom Central during the Expo. It will then be installed by an expert so attendees can observe that important part of the process as well. People will be able to stop by, observe the work being done and ask questions.

The theme for this year’s Window Fashion Artisan Project is “Practical Trends.” We’ve given this year’s participants that theme because we’ve heard that while people love the over-the-top creativity of the designs from previous years, there aren’t a whole lot of details or elements that designers can pull from those designs to take back and use them for their clients. IWCE participants want to see something more realistic and practical.

The other change for this year is that each of the three designers will receive a mystery box with fabric and other materials that they must incorporate into the design.

The participants for this year’s Window Fashion Artisan Project have already been chosen and announced on social media. Check the Window Fashion VISION Facebook page to find out who they are.

New Contest

Even more people will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in Workroom Central thanks to a new element—a pillow contest that is open to everyone. In October, we received entries from those of you who plan to fabricate a custom pillow to be shown at the event. The pillows will be judged at IWCE, with the first-, second- and third-place winners receiving $300, $200 and $100, respectively. The pillows will be auctioned off at IWCE. The proceeds will be donated to a Charlotte-area charity.

Same Great Programming

One thing that won’t change with the new name is the quality of the education you will receive in Workroom Central. We will still have hands-on workshops with top industry professionals such as Cathy Tucker, Jana Platina Phipps, Ann Johnson and others. During the show, portions of the Workroom Central events will be livestreamed for people who cannot attend in person.

During the Wednesday night reception, stop by Workroom Central for a special presentation by a team of skilled installers. They will talk about their businesses, share ideas and things they’ve learned during their time in the business, and answer questions. I hope to see you many more times over the week as well. z Sandra VanSickle is an ardent entrepreneur, continuing education instructor and lifelong learner with nearly 42 years of experience in the window fashion industry. She is the owner of Sew What’s New LLC, a wholesale custom window treatment and soft home furnishings workroom and training center in Apex, NC; Cuddlebugs-n-Cocoons, an online, international retail business featuring her blanket and bedding designs; and Live With Sandra V, where she shares her goal to educate, inspire and promote others within the industry.