Designer uses auto interior material to make gowns for NAIAS charity preview

DETROIT (WJBK) - Detroit is ready for our very own "auto prom" Friday night -- the North American International Auto Show Charity Preview.

When you check out all the beautiful dresses and gowns, keep your eyes open for some that are truly unique. 

Forget about satin or lace. Intether™ is the coolest new fabric for evening wear.

It is a synthetic leather used for automotive interiors. It is the same material used to make your car's sunroof or instrument panel. 

"It's a beautiful material to work with, it cuts like butter," says Janna Coumoundouros. "It's just been beautiful to make dresses out of."

Coumoundouros is a metro Detroit photographer, jewelry and fashion designer whose work has been featured in magazines and at the Detroit Historical Museum.

For the past few years she's been commissioned by Intiva, the company that makes Intether™ to create gowns for the Auto Show Charity Preview. It highlights the creative link between fashion and automotive.

The material is cheaper than leather and more durable. The dresses can be washed with Windex or Armor All and they smell like a brand-new car. Plus they are recyclable. 

Watch the video in the player above to learn more about the dresses.

Before the auto show opens to the public, there's one night of glitz and glamour at Cobo Center. The Auto Show Charity Preview is the largest annual single-night fundraiser in the world. 

Proceeds benefit a wide range of local children's charities. 

FOX 2 will have full team coverage of the Charity Preview Friday night on FOX 2 News at 5 and 6 p.m. Roop Raj, Dave Spencer, Taryn Asher and Maurielle will have live reports. Kellie Rowe will be live on Facebook all evening long, too. You can watch here.