IIDA NY debuts 24th annual Color Invasion 2026 October 29th
Manhattan, NY The New York Chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA NY) invites the design and architecture community to step into The House of Forgotten Whispers, the theme for the 24th annual Color Invasion. Drawing on Victorian mystery and seance parlors, this year’s immersive event will transform Chelsea Industrial (535–551 West 28th St.) into a night of secrets, alchemy, and chilling discoveries for more than 1,000 attendees on Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 7 to 11 p.m.
As IIDA NY’s premier annual networking and social impact celebration, Color Invasion is never just a party; it’s a spectacle! Partygoers will sip signature cocktails, sample a decadent menu, and discover interactive installations and live entertainment designed to capture the haunting, opulent energy of the theme. Creative costumes are not just welcome; they’re highly encouraged.
Since its debut in 2002, Color Invasion has also carried a deeper purpose: supporting children in need. This year’s event will benefit Beyond Bedtime — formerly known as Pajama Program — a New York City-based nonprofit that provides books, pajamas, and sleep wellness resources for children facing adversity, especially those in foster care or experiencing housing insecurity.
“This year, we’re pulling back the curtain on a world of secrets with The House of Forgotten Whispers,” said Brian Bates, co-chair of the Color Invasion committee. “Guests will wander through spaces where every creak tells a story, and not all whispers are meant to be heard. Think seance parlors, alchemy, and a house full of secrets.” Steven South, committee co-chair, said, “Every year, Color Invasion gives our community a chance to celebrate design in an entirely new world. We’re inviting guests into a house full of secrets, and a night they won’t forget.”
Guests are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped pajamas and books for children from infancy to age 18. For added convenience, IIDA NY will also host an on-site Beyond Bedtime pop-up shop, where guests can purchase items to donate during the event. Monetary donations will be accepted through Giving Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
For the first time, Color Invasion 2026 will also support Blueprints for Hope, a foundation established by family and friends in memory of Lance Amato, a beloved member of the New York design community through his involvement in IIDA NY. The foundation shares information about pancreatic cancer and treatment, and recently awarded its first scholarship to a University of Miami student.