A weekend in November, with a spring-like warmth, opened the doors to design, with two fairs presenting a careful selection of creative culture. Walking down the High Line, we arrived at the Javits Center, where the BDNY2024 by Hospitality Design Group edition of Emerald – of which IFDM is a media partner – was packed with American and international companies.
In a choral celebration of high-end hospitality and its exponential growth, the platform offered an overview of new trends, foremost among them a deep focus on the use of natural materials. An imprint that characterized this edition, dense with novelties, starting with spaces inspired by design culture, such as the Mainstage designed by Watts & Dray Studio or Dine & Design PopUp, an area dedicated to food and beverage, an experiential space whose centerpiece, Café Hue – designed by Jessica Gidari and inspired by Bauhaus – was composed of sound-absorbing panels by hush. and tableware, furniture, lighting with partners such as Emu, Bespoke Sound, Pioneer, Kloth.
To encourage cultural exchange, four immersive designed spaces hosted lectures and workshops: Sobremesa (in Spanish, the pleasure of table conversation), designed by Curioso with the idea of creating an environment that fosters meaningful relationships; Serendipitous Encounters by BLUR Workshop, which focused on the joy of discovery and the unexpected, evoking the company’s claim “Designing without boundaries”. The theatrical atmosphere of Salone by Baskervill, an opulent space conceived as a reimagining of the grandeur of Renaissance salons; Hidden Gem by Parker-Torres Design, inspired by the transformation of volcanic lava to explore the beauty of imperfection.
Keisha Byrd, Vice President and Brand Director of Emerald’s Hospitality Design Group, who oversees the overall strategy for the group’s brands, said, “BDNY 2024 electrified the design world, attracting more than 10,200 qualified attendees – a 5 percent increase over last year – while welcoming more than 140 new exhibitors from more than 20 countries and solidifying its role as the leading platform for the hospitality industry. From the prestigious Platinum Circle Gala to the sold-out Gold Key Awards, BDNY celebrated and showcased the best in design, proving once again that New York City is the industry’s ultimate destination for inspiration.”
An example of this is the growing number of made-in-Italy companies that chose to be present, such as Potocco, Sitia, Simas, Ferroluce, or international brands such as Yaaz, Bover, RS Barcelona, Dedon, Kriskadecor, Momentum with Rebecca Moses, who presented their innovations in outdoor, textiles, lighting, wall coverings and furniture.
Among the winners of the Best of BDNY Product Design Competition were, in furniture, the Horizon Collection by Tuuci, a company that also won in the outdoor category with Ocean Master Voilare; in lighting, the Kando lamp presented by Bover; in textiles, Moments of Wander by HBF Textiles; Kettal won Best Exhibit, while the Mobello brand won the seating category with the Sagrada dining chair. Best sustainable brand? The Good Plastic Company with Polygood®, a versatile, high-quality material made from 100% recycled and recyclable plastic. In the spirit of eco-friendly design.
And in conjunction with BDNY, New York, another event eagerly awaited by the collector world, Salon Art + Design, with a dense presence of some of the most prestigious galleries: from Todd Merrill Studio to Gallery FUMI, from Mia Karlova Galerie to Converso Modern. In the evocative setting of the Park Avenue Armory, Milan’s Nilufar Gallery returned with exclusive projects, including tables by the Etereo workshop, iconic 1970s creations by Gabriella Crespi, and the Terrario Collection created especially for the event by Andrea Mancuso’s Analogia Project.
Instead, Victoria Yakusha Gallery, founded by the Ukrainian artist, architect, and designer of the same name – recognized as a pioneer of the ‘living minimalism’ philosophy – presented an exhibition titled DZHERELO, or ‘source’ in Ukrainian, featuring a selection of her latest collections alongside works by emerging designers: Tetiana Krasutska, Andrii Mykhailiak, Serhiy & Anna Baiersdorf, Julia & Yevhen Melnychenko. Pieces characterized by an innovative approach that combines craftsmanship, tradition and modern design, inspired by the natural and cultural heritage of Ukraine. Waiting to land in Florida, at DesignMiami/, December 3-8, 2024, to celebrate art design in the heart of South Beach.
