The Anna Hernandez/Luna Textiles Visionary Award and Education Fund celebrate the professional achievements of Anna Hernandez, founder of Luna Textiles, through establishing and presenting an annual prize for women entrepreneurs and industry leaders in the commercial interior design field. Anna Hernandez was a leader in the textile industry, a creative force, entrepreneur, and champion for the interior design industry, establishing herself and Luna Textiles as award-winning industry leaders. The fund was established in 2016 by Anna's family, Luna Textiles, and in partnership with IIDA as a legacy of Anna Hernandez, serves to honor her spirit and achievements by recognizing women entrepreneurs in commercial interior design. Previous winners of this prize have included the 2019 winners, Atelier Cho Thompson, and 2020 winner Kia Weatherspoon.

Atelier Cho Thompson was founded by designers Christina Cho and Ming Thompson based in San Francisco and New Haven, CT respectively. Atelier Cho Thompson is a multi-disciplinary design and concept firm specializing in the cross-pollination of ideas, concepts, and strategies to create integrated holistic environments. Within a year of receiving the award, Atelier Cho Thompson achieved their goal of opening a storefront space in New Haven and an online store, was awarded an AIA CT Design Award, Contract Magazine Interior Award, have been featured in Contract Magazine, Sunset Magazine, and New York Magazine. In addition, Christina began teaching a studio entitled "Apocalypse Now: Project For The Post-Retail City" at California College of the Arts, and Ming was named one of Connecticut's 40 Under 40 for her work, and had given lectures on equity in the design professions at Harvard and Yale.

Kia Weatherspoon is a Washington, D.C-based designer that has made significant contributions to the design profession by advocating for design equity in low-income communities. Through her firm Determined by Design, Weatherspoon champions interior design as a standard for all, rather than a privilege for some, and has challenged developers, architectural partners, and general contractors to do better by those deemed less deserving of an elevated space. Her firm is an expert on affordable housing in the region, having designed more than 2,000 units, with $1 million in procurement, and more than 120,000 square feet of affordable housing and retail in underserved communities.

The 2021 application deadline has been extended to February 17—we’re so excited to learn about and celebrating the work of emerging design firms—apply today!