At the Javits Center in New York, from 21 to 23 May, the city hosts two of the most important design fairs in the United States: International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and WantedDesign Manhattan. The offerings of over 400 successful and emerging design brands from 30 countries are accompanied by talks with almost 100 design stars, in the main facility and in the Oasis space, presenting a series of encounters, presentations and round tables in the future of residential and commercial design. Participants include Patricia Urquiola, Young Huh, Sasha Bikoff, Giulio Cappellini, John Edelman, Simone Vingerhoets and Kia Weatherspoon, selected by ICFF as designer of the year in 2022.
The key topics include a presentation of trends by WGSN (Worth Global Style Network, a prestigious observatory on the market that has recently launched its own color coding system), about the changes that will come for interior design in 2024; the unconventional work of Snøhetta; a panel on design diversity coordinated by Paul Clemence; a discussion on the metaverse and interior design with the magazine Surface; the Emerging Designer Showcase presented with Clever, offering young talents the possibility to meet experts; the Look Book Live with Dezeen; a conversation on the next generation of design presented with Haworth and moderated by Cindy Allen of the magazine Interior Design; ECO Solidarity, returning for its second year; and an encounter with David Rockwell on the spirit of American design.
“We have decided to spotlight American design and to provide a vantage point and an overview on the scene of successful and emerging creativity,” say Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, co-founders of WantedDesign and Brand Directors for ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan. “In our first year as brand directors, we want to bring fresh, stimulating programming and new design spaces to the Javits Center, also to improve the experience of visitors. We are bringing in leading and rising brands from all over the world, new national pavilions, and The Crossroads, an exhibition that is a snapshot of American design in its multiple forms, to continue to position ICFF as the leading contemporary design fair in North America.”
The American design panorama has evolved, providing practical solutions guided by industrial design, and the creation of artistic pieces guided by imagination and narrative impact. Over the last two decades, American designers have increasingly incorporated sourcing, materiality, consistency and color in their work, embracing diversity and breakthroughs in both method and aesthetics, to respond to the social problems the world finds itself facing today.
Located between ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan, The Crossroads is the new focal point and strong point for both the fairs. Creative Director David Rockwell and his firm Rockwell Group, and Editor/Co-Curator Pei-Ru Keh have created a playful, engaging environment as a tribute to two American staples: wide open spaces and the American home. The itinerary is organized in several spaces with backgrounds from wallpaper companies Drop It Modern and Superflower Studio, with shared areas (dominated by an oversized striped dining table by Fort Standard) and a gallery of objects highlighting the diversity in practice, origin and method of practitioners that straddle both form and function.
Other new developments include the creation of new spaces where participants can meet, relax and dine, on both the exhibit levels of ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan: the Welcome Area designed by Moooi; the restaurant areas furnished in collaboration with Be Original Americas, with gastronomical stands inspired by New York; the Oasis x Material Bank, where visitors can relax, gather and listen to round table discussions, furnished by Normann Copenhagen, FilzFelt and Kasthall. And a new Café X Caesarstone in the WantedDesign Manhattan area featuring Tala lighting and Turf ceiling acoustic panels.
For the third consecutive year, the fair collaborates with Rodolfo Agrella (Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio – RADS) to formulate a precise vision of design. Besides the image of WantedDesign Manhattan, the WantedDesign Manhattan lounge/cafe and the stage for the talks, Agrella has acted as art director for the Oasis space and the restaurant area.
All this is accompanied by the ICFF Editors Awards, open to all exhibitors, to select the best offerings in 12 product categories, as well as Best in Show. The winners will be announced on 22 May at 5PM. Trade professionals can register for complimentary access with the code IFDM23 or clicking here.
