Extinction Event – DesignMarch 2026

For DesignMarch 2026, clothing designer Theo Ike presents Extinction Event: a special insight into the connection between prehistory and the future through the lens of garment design. It will take place at the Nordic House; surrounded by a swamp, where life emerged from some 400 million years ago.

Homo Sapiens have existed for less than 0.007% of the planet’s existence – long enough to have altered the fossil record forever – but we behave like we have infinite resources. We know what we do cannot sustain us forever – yet we persist: innovating, designing, producing and destroying. We never stop to ask: what if one day we were the hunted, the fossils, the inferior species?

Extinction Event touches on our obsession with the scientific process and the philosophical questions that science simply cannot answer. Attendees are taken on a journey through time as Theo sees it, exploring different garments and scenarios the further they delve.

Throughout the week, attendees will have the chance to excavate lost garments from dig sites, as well as contributing to a time capsule for our future species. Some will also get the chance to design their own dinosaurs onto garments as a takeaway souvenir from the show.

The presentation embodies Theo’s wider philosophy of Global Affairs Design: that everything is more connected that we think. Species from 98 million years ago might have had the same instincts, desires, problems, intellect and obsessions that we do – we will just never know.

Theo will also host a workshop/guided tour on Sunday 10.05.26 from 11:00-16:00.

Accessibility to Elissa (auditorium) is good. Accessible and gender neutral restrooms are on the same floor. More information on accessibility and opening hours can be found by clicking here.