# Building Block Bow Ties Nicholas Tee Ruiz's Quirky Collection is Inspired by MoMA Exhibits By Meghan Young | Published 2012-03-07 | Life-Stages Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nicholas-tee-ruiz References: [mymodernmet](http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/nicholas-tee-ruiz-quirky-bow-ties) & [kickstarter](http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1062328988/modern-bow-ties-wearable-neck-art-by-nicholas-tee) Nicholas Tee Ruiz creates some cute and quirky bow ties. Equal parts creative and dapper, his sophisticated creations were inspired by his time at The Museum Modern Art ([MoMA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mattel-2)) in the Special Programming & Events department. The young designer wanted unique looks for special museum events and decided to repurpose everyday materials to achieve them. Nicholas Tee Ruiz's The Bow Tie Collection was born when he set a specific challenge for himself in January 2011. He was inspired to create bow ties embodying the essence of eleven major exhibition openings and benefit events at MoMA that year. From [LEGO](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollhouse-concept) blocks to pills and guitar picks, Nicholas Tee Ruiz's amazing bow ties are currently featured on [Kickstarter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/omnicompatible-wooden-bricks). He hopes to reach a goal of $15,000. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.6/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages) > [Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/toys) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Quirky Bow Tie Designs:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore unconventional, eye-catching materials and designs to create unique bow ties that stand out in the market. - **Repurposed Fashion Accessories:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Repurpose everyday materials to create eco-friendly and creative fashion accessories, such as bow ties, that appeal to environmentally-conscious consumers. - **Museum-inspired Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Collaborate with museums or draw inspiration from art and cultural institutions to create fashion accessories that have a unique storytelling element. ### Where This Applies - **Fashion Accessories:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate unusual materials and designs into traditional fashion accessories, such as bow ties, to offer customers a fresh and distinctive style. - **Eco-friendly Fashion:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop a line of fashion accessories made from repurposed or sustainable materials, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally-friendly products. - **Cultural and Art Institutions:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partner with museums and cultural institutions to create fashion accessories that reflect their exhibits, combining art, history, and fashion in unique and desirable ways. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Whimsical Sculptural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-block-series.md) - [Toy Block-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bloc-collection.md) - [Origami-Inspired Playful Magnetic Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trido.md) - [Mayo-Dispensing Bow Ties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/byo-bow.md) - [Colorful Artful Textile Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nick-cave-collection.md) - [Architecture-Inspired Building Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blockitecture-frank-lloyd-wright.md) - [Block Puzzle Modular Dollhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollhouse-concept.md) - [Art-Infused Workwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nepenthes-capsule.md) - [Playful Button-Focused Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beau-mccall.md)