L.A. Fashion Week Spring 2011: Seth Aaron

It could have been a “Project Runway” challenge: Design an evening gown at a solar-industry trade show.

On Oct. 13, “Project Runway” Season 7 winner Seth Aaron Henderson showed women’s fashions at the Solar Power International trade show at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

The collection was inspired by a tour of a solar-panel factory owned and run by SolarWorld, based in Hillsboro, Ore.

Henderson’s solar-power show debuted on Oct. 9 in Portland Fashion Week. But at the L.A. Convention Center, he exhibited a nine-look capsule of that show, including dresses made out of synthetic PVC leather, as well as silk organza and foil-like fabrics. Pieces included a long evening gown, another with a classic Greek draped look. One garment was inspired by a robotic arm that he saw on a tour of SolarWorld’s factory.

Henderson said these fashions won’t be coming to a store near you. This collection was intended to raise awareness of solar energy. “They don’t have to be wearable or sellable. They have to be about delivering a vision,” he said.—Andrew Asch