The inaugural Spring Show NYC roared into town for its five-day run last month with a benefit preview for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).  Organized by the Art and Antique Dealers League of America (AADLA) and sponsored by 1stdibs, the fair received great response from the exhibitors, collectors, interior designers, and curators.

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner

Notable names seen perusing the aisles included the evening's Honorary Co-chairs Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, fashion designer Valentino, art patron Beth de Woody, The Edge from band U2, "King's Speech" director Tom Hooper with actress and fashion designer Tara Subkoff, actress Chloe Sevigny, the New York Post columnist Cindy Adams, TV host and antiques expert Leigh Keno, and 1stdibs founder Michael Bruno. 

The interior designer guest list included Mario Buatta, David Kleinberg, John Roselli, Susan Gutfreund, Lars Bolander, Maureen Footer, Timothy Van Dam and Ron Wagner, Joanne DePalma, DeBare Saunders and Ronald Mayne. Brett Beldock, Tom Scheerer, Matthew Patrick Smyth, Juan Pablo Molyneux, Alex Papchristidis, Noel Jeffrey, Michael Reynolds, Samuel Botero, Michael Simon, Ronald Bricke, Mariette Himes Gomez, Dennis Rolland, Thomas Hamel, Ellie Cullman, Tony Ingrao, and Bennett Weinstock. 

Beth Rudin and Lars Bolander

According to Michael Franks, CEO of The Art Fair Company, which produced the Spring Show NYC, 90 percent of the dealers reserved for the 2012 edition with only 7 spaces available. "There is a waiting list of top-notch dealers from which the AADLA can choose to further elevate the stature of their show," said Franks. 

1,495 people made their way to the opening night of the show, entering the Armory by way of two projection screens featuring the singing and dancing in a Busby Berkley musical from the 1930s. Rescue dogs lined the entrance and greeted visitors as they made their way into the main exhibition hall.

"I'm thrilled with the opening," said Clinton Howell, president of the AADLA. "It was more than any of us anticipated."  Continental furniture specialist Leon Dalva said "the crowd included collectors and connoisseurs who knew what they were looking at." He and the majority of dealers said that this fair brought in many new buyers whom they never met before.  "It was a fabulous opening and enjoyable to see a new affluent crowd," said carpet specialist Peter Pap. 

Stefanie Rinza, managing director of Carlton Hobbs, said the evening was a great success with a tremendous amount of buzz and energy. "We are very impressed with the caliber of the clientele we are meeting here," she said. Carlton Hobbs concurs." We are most impressed with the high level of quality and the broad variety of pieces on show here."

First time exhibitor Alexander Cohane, a 20th-century decorative arts specialist, said that he "met many of my important clients on opening night and that there was a very good mix of people who attended." Kim Hostler of Hostler Burrows, another twentieth century exhibitor, said: "We had a great opening with the some of the best decorators in the city, some of whom brought their clients. I've sent out 20 emails of pieces to a nice mix of residential designers."