The 30th edition of ICFF – the biggest event in the NYCxDesign calendar – opened its doors on 20 May, welcome visitors into what proved to be a truly knock-out event. Not only was ICFF celebrating 30 years of operations, during which time it has become the key North American event in the global design panorama, but there was also a stunning array of exhibitors and installations to wow the crowds.
The 800 participating brands – hailing from over 40 different countries – were split into 11 categories, including furniture, decoration, materials, bathrooms and fabrics. Meanwhile, the first floor of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center was reserved for the hottest new products in this year’s collections.
There were plenty of Italian names on show. Kartell offered up a varied range of products including seating, small furniture, lighting and accessories. Porro and Living Divani were making their first appearance at the event, alongside partner organisation West | NYC Home, with the most recent collections – already on show at their Fifth Avenue store – thrust into the limelight at ICFF too.
There was a debut also for Fimes, who – working with partner Anna Gratia (Brooklyn) – showcased a range of wardrobes, walk-in closets and the Kronos sofa.
The Italian ceramics industry played a key role in the event thanks to the “Ceramics of Italy” consortium, promoted by Confindustria Ceramica and EdiCer with additional support from ICE. Florim, Atlas Concorde, Fap and Refin were just a few of the brands who took part in the initiative.
Representing the bathroom sector were Antoniolupi, Gessi and Effegibi, with its focus on wellness, while outdoor brands of the calibre of Ethimo, EMU and Nardi were also there.
One brand worthy of a special mention is Klodea, the Italian handle producer based in Florida.
Looking at the international panorama as a whole, stand-out brands included Flavor Paper, the New York brand producing eclectic and creative wall paper, and Tuuci, the leading umbrella manufacture based in Miami. Bernhardt Design caught the eye for its comfortable, contemporary furniture, while Stellar Works impressed with its minimalist style.
Creative installations included VIA French Design’s itinerant “No Taste for Bad Taste. So Starck, so Bouroullec… so Le French Design” exhibition, a homage to French design. Also worth a visit was Handmade in Germany, a collection of contemporary, hand-made products.
ICCF will return in December with ICFF South Florida, which takes place in Fort Lauderdale from 4 to 6 December.
