Material Runway- Nautical Nouveau

Inspired by this year’s Nautical Nouveau theme, each team will create a runway look influenced by an animal from the Aquarium.
About this Event
Material Runway 2026: Nautical Nouveau
South Carolina Aquarium

Where coastal inspiration meets couture.

Join us at the South Carolina Aquarium for an unforgettable evening of design, creativity, and competition. Inspired by Nautical Nouveau, participating A&D teams will transform commercial and industrial materials into fashion-forward looks inspired by animals found throughout the Aquarium.

Guests will explore the exhibits, follow their event passport, and visit each team’s installation before casting their vote for Crowd Favorite.

Expect bold silhouettes, unexpected materials, and imaginative interpretations of the sea—all brought to life against the Aquarium’s spectacular backdrop.

Dress the part: Nautical Nouveau attire is encouraged. Think sophisticated, playful, and a little dramatic. No feathers (including boas) or glitter, please.

Material Runway is more than a fashion show—it’s where design, materials, and community come together for one unforgettable night.

Meet the 2026 Design Teams

This year's talented architecture and design teams have each selected an animal from the South Carolina Aquarium as the inspiration for their one-of-a-kind wearable creation. Using innovative materials from our sponsoring manufacturers, each team will transform their chosen species into a couture runway design that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the beauty of the natural world.

2026 Design Teams & Animal Inspirations

• LS3P w/Sesco Lighting, Spartan Surfaces & Interior Elements — Queen Angelfish
• McMillan Pazdan Smith w/Koroseal, Interface & Porcelanosa — Lionfish
• GBA w/ Creative Lighting Solutions & William Bird— Bald Eagle
• Little Diversified Architectural Consulting w/ KiBA & Maxitt— Moon Jelly
• Moseley w/ AIS & Bonitz— Giant Pacific Octopus
• Fire & Fig w/ Shaw Contract & Glazzio— Eastern Indigo Snake
• Meadors & Brothers Rich w/ Earp & Associates & PSA— Sea Urchin
• Ferrara Buist w/AW Lights, Signature Flooring— Southern Stingray
• The Middleton Group w/ Cambria, Haworth & Tarkett— Roseate Spoonbill
• GROHE — Porcupinefish

Watch these remarkable teams bring their inspiration to life as they compete on the runway for top honors in one of Charleston's most anticipated design events. After the runway show, guests are invited to explore each finished design displayed throughout the aquarium alongside the animal that inspired it, then cast their vote for the coveted Crowd Favorite Award.