Four up-and-coming designers and makers of handmade gift and lifestyle products have been selected for the new Emerging Designer Maker Platform in the Handmade Designer Maker division at the summer 2012 New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) August 18-22.
The artisans, from California, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York City, have been in business for one year or less, and were selected based on design concept, creativity and originality
“By supporting emerging designers, we’re cultivating fresh new vision and innovative resources at NYIGF,” said Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president. “These talented artisans share a modern voice, while varying greatly in their chosen media.”
Jordan Castro, Culinarium. Established in Plum Island, MA, in April 2011, Culinarium is Jordan Castro’s meticulously crafted product line for cooking and entertaining. For nearly a decade, Castro has been refining formulas to create a sustainable concrete mix to use as the principal material in his designs. Each piece is unique, due to the natural variations that occur with the cement curing process, and will patina over time. His durable products also incorporate recycled rubber, cork and aluminum.
The Culinarium Concrete Kitchenwares products Castro will display at NYIGF include: Salt Cellar with Ammonite Inlay; Spice Caddy; Stacking Salt/Spice Set; Hexagon Coasters; Hexi Bowl; Salt & Pepper Shaker Set; Utensil Holder; Refined Coasters; Tray; and Salt Cellar with Scoop.
Bozena Golebiowska, Tanti Colori. Only two months in business, Tanti Colori is a small studio based in the Connecticut shoreline town of Madison. Bozena Golebiowska creates one-of-a-kind home accessories, including pillows and wall pieces, from natural fabrics like European linen, 100% cotton and silk. She uses traditional patchwork and appliqué methods with a modern approach, and a variety of geometric shapes, nature-inspired elements and bright colors.
Three Tanti Colori lines of handcrafted pillows and wall art will be shown at NYIGF, including the “Organic” and “Leaves & Dots” pillow collections, and the “Flying Leaves” wall hanging.
Lindsey Lee, LeeLABS. Lindsey Lee is one of the three founders of LeeLABS, a design and fabrication studio in New York City. Along with co-founders John Lee and Brian Lee, the three designers have experience in the field of architecture, with an interest in crafting and making. Lee gives attention to detail, which results from a combined generative design process with traditional ways of casting and finishing. All of her products are handmade in the studio with high quality materials, expert craftsmanship and inspired design.
LeeLABS will be introducing Para Clocks at NYIGF – digitally-derived, mini concrete structures. Each clock variation stems from radial patterning found in architecture and textiles. Lee believes that products like this represent good, long lasting design which can inspire the people living with them.
Dana Rudie, Politique. In October 2011, Dana Rudie launched Politique in Los Angeles, CA. Designing with primarily eco- and animal-friendly materials, she aims to renew the art and craftsmanship of American-made handbags through handmade construction and the refined skill of a needle artisan. Politique’s aesthetic combines vintage and modern design elements, incorporating varied found materials, such as Italian hardware, vintage deadstock and automobile and marine upholstery.
Three Politique products will be showcased at NYIGF: the Capsule handbag, the Ova clutch and the Linx laptop portfolio case.
The juried Handmade division is categorized by process and provenance. Handmade Designer Maker will showcase 340 limited-production makers across all categories and media resources from around the world at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center’s Javits Center North.
