Design & Discovery 2024

Registration for this event is closed. 

Haworth and Van Andel Institute invite you to a unique evening, one merging contemporary furniture design with the classical shapes of modern fashion. Held on June 20 at the legendary Haworth headquarters and showroom in Holland, Michigan, Design & Discovery will unlock your imagination and ignite your passion — all in the name of research.

The runway will host a one-of-a-kind fashion show featuring a stunning look at the 2024 Spring/Summer collection from the luxury specialists at Leigh’s and those from world renowned luxury Italian brand Max Mara.  Guests will be treated to a seated dinner, music by AB, hors d’oeuvres, artisan cocktails, complimentary swag bags and a Max Mara shopping experience. All guests will receive a Max Mara gift card and 10% of all sales from the evening will benefit VAI.

All proceeds from Design & Discovery will benefit VAI’s biomedical research and science education initiatives.

The event will partially take place outdoors. Cocktail attire and comfortable shoes are suggested.

Event Committee:

Franco and Alessandra Bianchi

Dominique and Julie DeNooyer

Jeff and Ann Harten

Matthew and Jennifer Haworth

Paul and Anne Nemschoff

David and Carol Van Andel

Kurt Vander Schuur

Scott and Rebecca Wierda

Thank you to our incredible 2024 sponsors!

BAM! Entertainment 2-Pack
Two packs total, each pack includes the following: two hours of bowling for five people, including shoes, four laser tag passes and $10 arcade card.
Value: $270 | Starting Bid: $135

BAM! Entertainment 5-Pack
Five packs total, each pack includes the following: two hours of bowling for five people, including shoes, four laser tag passes and $10 arcade card.
Value: $675 | Starting Bid: $338

The Barge Restaurant Gift Package
$150 gift card to The Barge, plus Barge sweatshirt (large size), Barge hat, and Barge insulated wine tumbler.
Value: $250 | Starting Bid: $125

Beach Day Package
Includes Bogg beach bag, $25 gift card to Gliks, sunscreen, beach towels, Orca Chaser tumblers, Waboba beach paddle ball set, and $50 gift card for Wally’s Bar and Grill.
Value: $322 | Starting Bid: $161

Bondi Salon Gift Basket
$100 Gift Card to Bondi Salon, grapeseed fast-dry, keratin shampoo and conditioner set.
Value $219 | Starting Bid: $110

Cappellini Bong Table
Add the Bong modern end table to lounges, lobbies, libraries, and reading rooms. Made of fiberglass with a hollow core, this small round side table is available in a range of colors, including red, anthracite, orange, and white as well as a white carrara faux marble.
Value: $1,905 | Starting Bid: $953

Cappellini Cloud Bookcase
Cloud storage is composed of double-faced modules that can be stacked and configured in various organic shapes and different sizes to suit your needs. This white cubby bookcase is made of rotationally molded plastic, with a light-hearted design that’s great for libraries and lounges. This Italian bookcase is also a good way to subtly divide space, and it’s easy to clean.
Value: $1,485 | Starting Bid: $743

Cappellini Lotus High Back
Lotus desk chairs and executive chairs are handcrafted and hand-detailed for a modern design aesthetic. They feature a comfortable, slightly reclined seat-to-back angle tilt and height adjustment—ideal for private offices, boardrooms, and team spaces.
Value: $3,710 | Starting Bid: $1,855

Courant Dual Device Leather Charging Tray
Make a statement on nightstands or entryways with your choice of gold-rated Italian Leather. The MAG:3 features a sleek 2-in-1 charging zone with both “MagSafe” and “Qi” compatibility to power your iPhone and AirPods side by side – plus, an extra USB-C port on the back, perfect for a 3rd device or Apple Watch.
Value: $200 | Starting Bid: $100

DJ Package
Enjoy a two-hour dance party with DJ AB.
Value: $2,500 | Starting Bid: $1,250

Elements Solid Wood Desk
Crafted to last by makers who care, this desk defines the apex of workmanship and sustainability. Choose a solid wood or laminate top, both on solid steel base that’s forged by hand. Representing the best of honesty in artistry, it’s a desk you’ll love for WFH and beyond.
Value: $1,699 | Starting Bid: $850

Exclusive Leigh’s Shopping Experience
Leigh’s will treat you and three friends to an exclusive in-store experience. First, Leigh’s makeup artists will pamper you with a skincare consultation and makeup application as you enjoy lovely refreshments.  Next, you will meet with the Leigh’s Merchandise Manager for a private overview of the season’s hottest trends and how they can be interpreted into your own personal style. Then, shop to your heart’s content! Leigh’s has included four $100 gift cards in this package for your shopping enjoyment, and they will be giving back 10% of your group’s purchases to Van Andel Institute. Date to be mutually agreed upon.
Value: $1,500 | Starting Bid: $750

Family Fun at Lake Arvesta Farms
Family pass for four: includes all-access pass to mini golf, pickleball, disc golf, and aqua park. Aqua park includes water slides, floating obstacle courses, cable wakeboard park, kayak and paddleboarding.
Value: $260 | Starting Bid: $130

Framed Serigraph Art
Artist: Jon Carsman.
Value: $1,500 | Starting Bid: $750

Group Cooking Class: Dinner Party Dishes
Join the acclaimed Executive Chef, EJ Martin, from Van Eerden Foodservice for an exclusive, hands-on cooking class designed to elevate your culinary skills and transform your dinner parties into extraordinary gourmet experiences. This unique class for 8-10 people promises an unforgettable evening filled with delectable dishes, expert tips, and plenty of fun.
Value: $1,250 | Starting Bid: $625

Haworth x Xbox: Fern Gaming Chair
Limited edition. Unlock hours of comfortable work and play with less fatigue and more support — all in the signature Xbox aesthetic that’s dominated gaming for two decades. This chair responds to your every move to let you capture peak performance.
Value: $1,599 | Starting Bid: $800

Karakter Sferico Glassware No. 1, Set of Four
Joe Colombo believed in democratic and functional design. In his lifetime he designed a wide range of different drinking glasses. In 1968 he designed a series of six glasses, all based on geometrical figures. True to his democratic and functional take on design, all the glasses were intended for a wide range of different usage—No. 1 being recommended for white wine.
Value: $112 | Starting Bid: $56

Max Mara Marine Tote Bag in Carved Leather
Marine tote bag in carved, laser cut leather with a foliage motif, on a very light mesh base with a see-through effect. The style has a double handle, side strap to close the sides and a detachable shoulder strap with an internal ring, so it can be carried by hand or on the shoulder. Unlined interior with removable zip pouch. Embellished with metal lettering, leather bottom and metal feet.
Value: $1,890 | Starting Bid: $945

NAD+ IV Treatment
Slow down aging, boost metabolism and sustain DNA integrity with NAD+, a coenzyme responsible for your cellular function. Four days of treatment, lunch included.
Value: $1,920 | Starting Bid: $960

Saugatuck Boating + Dinner Experience #1
Includes a 90-minute boat ride for four people from Retro Boat Rentals and $300 gift card to Bowdies Chophouse restaurant.
Value: $450 | Starting Bid: $225

Saugatuck Boating + Dinner Experience #2
Includes $200 gift card for the Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruise and $50 gift card to The Southerner restaurant.
Value: $250 | Starting Bid: $125

Saugatuck Golf and Dining Experience
Enjoy 18 holes of golf for four people with a cart at the Ravines Golf Club and $100 gift card for Wicks Park restaurant.
Value: $460 | Starting Bid: $230

Saugatuck Shopping Day
Includes $200 gift card to The James Boutique, $150 gift card to The Sunglass Shoppe, $100 gift card to Chantal Fashion Apparel, and $50 gift card to For the Love of Shoes / Saugatuck Traders.
Value: $500 | Starting Bid: $250

Satya Yoga Membership
3-month unlimited membership.
Value: $350 | Starting Bid: $175

Summer Fun Pickleball Package
Includes 2 Mav Pro E pickleball paddles, two 3-packs of pickleballs, one tote, one pack of Friendlily beverage stirrers, two Clairebella can coolers.
Value: $289 | Starting Bid: $145

Tala Muse Portable Lamp
Timeless, portable, classic — and an exclusive collaboration between Tala and the color experts at Farrow & Ball. Get the glow with Tala, maker of high-quality, sustainable LED lights for your home.
Value: $325 | Starting Bid: $163

Uma Mini Lantern
UMA Mini lantern fuses state-of-the-art LED technology with 360° high-fidelity surround sound. Link up to 24 UMA lanterns to create the perfect ambiance.
Value: $325 | Starting Bid: $163

Whitecaps Baseball Package
Family 6-pack of tickets, food passes and parking pass to a West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game.
Value: $140 | Starting Bid: $70

Wine Tasting for Four
At Modales Vineyards & Winery.
Value: $60 | Starting Bid: $30

Wine Tasting for Six + Charcuterie Board
Guided wine tasting at Fenn Valley Vineyards.
Value: $80 | Starting Bid: $40

Winter Weekend Getaway
Old Pike Cottages stay for up to four guests in any two-bedroom cottage for two consecutive nights. Must stay between November 1–March 31.
Value: $950 | Starting Bid: $475

Yeti Cooler
Hopper Flip 12 Yeti Cooler, fits 24 cans.
Value: $250 | Starting Bid: $125