HBF’s Collab-HER-ation Panel: Where Women Take Center Stage
HBF and HBF Textiles recently made a design world power move for Women's History Month: hosting the Collab-HER-ation Panel with the Female Design Council, at their New York flagship showroom. More than 80 design luminaries attended the event, as the evening crackled with the energy of collaboration and fostering a vibrant design community.
Casey Baxter
VP, General Manager
HBF + HBF Textiles
"Building the right team comes organically. I have the best team—I honestly built the dream team. What’s important is fostering like-mindedness, leading with compassion, and being empathetic—my vision is our vision. There’s no ego in any of this."
Amidst the warmth of the showroom, designed by ALA Studio and Travis Clifton, the air was electric with anticipation as the audience prepared to be enthralled by an array of influential voices. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, the stage was set for an unforgettable showcase of talent and inspiration.
Mel Saenz
VP, Relationship Management
Juniper Lighting
"Trust is crucial in collaboration. Because I trust Casey, the HBF team, and my team, I knew we could really make something unique. Working together with our teams felt like we were all striving to create something special with considered materials in a very deep way.”
Led by Lora Appleton from the Female Design Council, the panel discussion—which featured Casey Baxter of HBF and HBF Textiles; Mel Saenz of Juniper Lighting; Alda Ly of ALA Studio; and Ghislaine Vinãs of Ghislaine Vinãs Design—promised to be a rollercoaster ride of insights and revelations. With each panelist bringing their own brand of flair and expertise to the table, the audience knew they were in for a treat.
Alda Ly
Founder + Principal
ALA Studio
"One of the advantages of working on a female-led team is that we’re really designing for ourselves—we call it designing “selfishly,” which just means we’re approaching a project with what we would want out of a space—asking ourselves, “What do we want to see?” This is especially helpful and crucial for healthcare projects. We want to make an environment so welcoming, for example, that we can actually look forward to visiting the gynecologist! "
As the event unfolded, the showroom buzzed with energy and excitement, with laughter and applause punctuating the air. The Collab-HER-ation Panel was not just an evening celebrating our female guest speakers; it was a vibrant testament to the transformative power of unity and collaboration in shaping the future of design.
Ghislaine Vinãs
Interior Designer
Ghislaine Vinãs Design
"You get to a point where you know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at—and you’re totally comfortable with that. From that point, you build a team where you support each other in your weak spots."
By the time the curtains closed, guests left with hearts full and minds buzzing, inspired by the passion and creativity that had filled the room. HBF and HBF Textiles had once again proven themselves as pioneers of innovation and inclusivity, setting the stage for a brighter, more connected future in the world of design.