Studio VISIT with MELITTA BAUMEISTER

Join us for a studio visit with Melitta Baumeister, the Brooklyn-based fashion design brand and winner of the 2025 National Design Award for Fashion Design.

Melitta Baumeister is known for their expressively unique wearable garments that reject trends, body standards, and beauty ideals. Based on a futuristic, minimalist aesthetic, the brand’s clothing often exaggerates volume and creates sculptural silhouettes, using innovative techniques and materials to infuse the surprising, the mysterious, and the humorous of the everyday. Baumeister’s designs are intended to impact not only the wearer but also the space around them.

During the visit, meet Melitta, her partner Michal Plata, and others from the studio’s team who will share the history of their interdisciplinary practice, tour their new studio, and take part in a short hands-on workshop applying the signature techniques of their work.

Learn more about the National Design Awards and past honorees.

AccessibiliTy & What to Expect

Format: This program will include a brief presentation followed by the opportunity to explore the studio space and do a hands-on workshop.
About the space: This program will take place offsite at the studio of Melitta Baumeister, located in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. After entering the building, there is one step up that brings you to an elevator. The nearest subway station is the Nassau Avenue G stop, within a 13-minute walk to the studio. The exact address will be sent to registered attendees before the event. Read more about accessibility at Cooper Hewitt.
Accommodations: If we can provide services to support your participation, email us at CHEducation@si.edu or let us know when you register. Please make your request as far in advance as possible—preferably at least ten days before the program date.
Recording: The program will not be recorded.

SPEAKERS

Melitta Baumeister is led by Melitta Baumeister, a German-born fashion designer, now based in New York, who received her MFA in Fashion Design at Parsons The New School. She works closely with her partner, Michal Plata, who brings an interdisciplinary perspective shaped by his previous experience as a car and context designer at BMW Advanced Design. Their synergy blends artistic experimentation with conceptual rigor.

Support

2025 National Design Awards Partners

Design Partners
Shelby & Frederick Gans
Jon Iwata
Lisa Roberts & David Seltzer

Design Sponsors
Apple Inc.
Chris & Irma Fralic
Alexandra & Paul Herzan
Helen and Edward Hintz
IBM Corporation

Design Friends
ANT/DOTE
Irene Au & Bradley Horowitz
Jake Barton
Amita & Purnendu Chatterjee
Cristina Grajales Gallery
Al Eiber
The Garden Conservancy
Agnes Gund
Jessica Healy, Seven Willow Collaborative
Randy & Taylor Hunt
Lemberg Foundation
Michael Maltzan & Amy Murphy
Henry R. Muñoz III & Kyle Ferari-Muñoz
Pentagram
Theo Richardson, RBW.com
Virginia San Fratello
Savannah College of Art and Design
Kimberly Schuessler
Lauren Seikaly & Michael Huber
Enid Sherman in honor of Jules Sherman
Slow and Steady Wins the Race
Margaret Gould Stewart