I just discovered the 'underground auto show party'
Designer Camilo Pardo packs a giant art space on Woodward with energy in Detroit
Let’s just start by confessing that I had no idea.
And everything happened sort of by mistake.
I ran into a really nice guy at the Detroit Auto Show during the charity preview event, nicknamed the auto prom by women dressed in silk or satin or taffeta or chiffon with diamonds and mink stoles — accompanied by men who wore tuxedoes and long mink coats. Tickets sold for $400 apiece.
Camilo Pardo, a man whose name did not sound familiar, spent time talking with electricians at a display hosted by IBEW Local 58. They had plenty of great food and endless cocktails, and all who stopped by were welcome. No velvet ropes kept anyone away.
Camilo mentioned the Ford GT and then took out a pen and drew one on a napkin. This from the designer of the iconic 2005 Ford GT whose artwork has expanded into posters, books and fashion.
Then he signed it, handed it to me and told me to keep it. My husband took the napkin, rolled it gently and put it in his pocket.
We talked about cars and design.
Camilo invited me and my husband, a master electrician who has installed auto shows since the beginning of time (in Detroit and Miami), to a party.
“It’s on Wednesday, starts at 7 o’clock ... If anyone asks, just tell ‘em I invited you.” When I asked the dress code, he said people will wear what makes them feel good — formal, urban, interesting. Whatever.
So we did.
I arrived closer to 8 p.m., a string of cars lined up for valet parking, just down the street from Grey Ghost restaurant and around the corner from Second Best bar.
When we went past security, through the doors, I could not believe the industrial art and classic cars and racing videos playing on the walls.
“There are people here from all over the world,” Joe Hosler, an automotive artist and muralist based in Wyandotte, told me. “Artists and designers and fashion models and local celebrities. This party brings all of the worlds together. I’ve met people from Italy and Germany. This is the underground auto show party.”
Sarah Pappas, a textile artist based in Wyandotte, leaned in to whisper “Everyone is around this week because of the Detroit Auto Show.”
Sara Farie of Royal Oak and Jacqs Martin of Detroit walked past, models in race suits. They said they couldn’t believe they were asked to be part of the legendary party in its 25th year.
Industrial designer Emily Thornhill of Detroit worked madly at a sewing machine finishing costumes for the party as one of a series of big rooms filled with partygoers.
The first-floor rooms buzzed with conversations and live jazz as cocktails flowed.
Sounds of accents from throughout the world filled the place.
Upstairs, designers lined tables filled with paper and pencils to compete in a sketchbattle. Industrial designers drawing against the clock in elimination rounds. Sort of like a Fight Club for artists.
The industrial artwork papered the wall and partygoers voted on their favorites.
Energy in the space celebrated the past, the present and the future of car design. I spotted guests from the Detroit Three, Ferrari, Roush, Ford Performance.
Camilo unveiled the poster for the EyesOn Design car show at the Ford House on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, at 1100 Lakeshore Drive in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.
“Unlike concours d'elegance events, judging of the vehicles is predominately conducted by automotive designers using professional design criteria, not based on restoration or authenticity,” the EyesOn Design.org website said.
Going to the home of Edsel and Eleanor Ford, by the way, was the last car event my Papa and I did together. He would have loved to have met Camilo Pardo.
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Great article Phoebe! Thanks for sharing the details and pictures of your special experience at the party… so many unique events happen in in our wonderful city of Detroit!
Always read your articles, Phoebe. My husband and I 'landed' at a Camillo Pardo party years ago and felt like fish out of water, but he could not have been more gracious to us and I will always remember that about him.