60th anniversary celebration of VOA with special fashion project.

At the 60th anniversary celebration of the Verband für die Oberflächenveredelung von Aluminium e. V. (VOA), the fashion project "stories of surfaces - 60 years of surface finishing of aluminum in fashion images" awaited the guests as a special presentation.

The newly elected chairman of the Verband für die Oberflächenveredelung von Aluminium e. V. (VOA), Friedhelm U. Scholten, welcomed the more than 130 invited guests from Germany and abroad to the Haus der Kunst in Munich on June 23, 2022, at the association's 60th anniversary celebration. Scholten and his guests eagerly awaited the presentation of the fashion project "stories of surfaces - 60 years of surface finishing of aluminum in fashion images", which the VOA brilliantly implemented together with the AMD Akademie Mode & Design. The industry presented itself as surface-loving, attractive and self-confident. And rightly so, because the versatile and sustainable material aluminum only acquires its decorative and functional properties through surface finishing.

During the celebratory anniversary dinner, presented by Feinkost Käfer, presenter Patricia Riekel, fashion expert and editor-in-chief of Bunte magazine (1997 to 2016), introduced the collection in several stages, which inspired VOA member companies as well as international guests from politics, business and the media. The fashion show turned into a performance show of the surface finishing industry with its diverse, bright colors, manifold haptics and proven qualifications.

The charming and highly competent presenter Patricia Riekel got the audience in the mood for the extraordinary fashion project and, in the course of the evening, brought the zeitgeist of the six different decades to life. She vividly portrayed the political and social developments that took place, the musical hits that were in vogue, and of course: how the VOA and the surface finishing industry evolved over the 60 years of history.

Huge applause erupted when the first models walked "over" the catwalk, right through the two long rows of guests - always to the music of their time, of course. Thanks to the beauty partner Artdeco, the hair and make-up of all models reflected the pulse of the respective time in all decades. The weight of the two costumes as well as the expansive crimson hat of the 50s - after all, the AMD students processed 50 square meters of aluminum for this decade - became completely secondary in view of the enthusiastic audience, as the models glamorously and chicly presented their outfits. The next two models elatedly demonstrated two short dresses in typical A-line shape with bold colors and eye-catching patterns from the 60s. "Mini skirt forever!" was emblazoned on one of the aluminum signs carried along and - in homage to the association and its members - "60 years well coated!" on the other.

After the first course of the culinary journey through six decades with Feinkost Käfer as professional caterer, the models presented cool-casual the style mix of the 70s as well as the flashy looks of the 80s. The bold Sandalor colors of the two hippie outfits were particularly impressive, with surface-finished sequins recreating "crochet tops" and colorful patterns in earth tones. The fashion of the 80s came anthracite and bright neon colors on the runway. In addition to the bodysuit, a tribute to Madonna's famous stage outfit, guests admired the trendy oversize blazer of the time.

Following the main course, the VOA presented the last four looks: Two outfits of the 90s showed the development "from girlie to raver". Here, the beautiful, light-blue "denim skirt" with a distinctive, neon-pink jacket - both of course made of coated aluminum and clearly voted the most popular fashion piece by the guests - was particularly convincing. Sexy in a belly-free bustier and "net skirt", made of only one piece of surface-finished aluminum, as well as a little martial, the 2000s came onto the catwalk and presented, in keeping with the fast-moving decade, "fashion in the fast lane".

The crowning glory of the fashion show was an almost three-meter-long mantle with about 650 octagonal tiles as a symbol for the surface finishing industry, on which each of the member companies of the VOA found its place with company logo. In this way, the VOA documented the enormous cohesion and creative will of the surface finishing industry. Every tile counts, just as every company is part of the VOA network, because every anodizer, coater and paint stripper contributes their skills and professionalism to the overall work of the association. There was a standing ovation from the guests for the brilliant climax of the collection, in which all the godfathers from the surface finishing sector of the fashion project once again came to the fore. VOA thanked the famous patrons of the extraordinary collection: Daniel Wingate and Talbot Runhof, who inspire the fashion world with their world-renowned collections and inspired the surface finishing industry. The anniversary evening, where the glamorous fashion collection highlighted the great flexibility and outstanding design potential of the industry, will remain a unique memory.

In the past 60 years, the VOA has developed into a sought-after trade association, it has set and continues to set an important course also in cooperation with ESTAL (European Association for Surfaces Treatment on Aluminium), and it continues to set accents with regard to the technical further development of the surface finishing industry. During the anniversary celebration, moderator Patricia Riekel highlighted some of the association's significant milestones. It became clear that the surface finishing industry has also experienced difficult times in the past, but did not let this deter it, held together and continued to develop. This seems to be the secret of success of the surface finishing industry. The VOA and its member companies will also master today's global challenges together in the network. (OM-07/22)