This year, for its 27th edition, the International Contemporary Furnishings Fair (May 17 – 20) will feature nine leading interior designers who have teamed up with showrooms to highlight the important role textiles play in the furniture world.
Participating designers and partner showrooms include Samuel Botero for Donghia, Jamie Drake for Jim Thompson, Noha Hassan for Knoll, Robert Passal for Quadrille, Juan-Pablo Molyneux for Rogers & Goffigon, Ellie Cullman for Romo, Guillaume Gentet for Savel, Geoffrey Bradfield for Zimmer & Rhode and Stephen Bastone for Christopher Hyland.
Christopher Hyland, owner of the eponymous textile house and editor-in-chief of HYLAND magazine, headed up the ICFF project, HYLAND Top Designers & Textiles.
From left: Ellie Cullman, Jamie Drake and Geoffrey Bradfield
Each designer was asked to choose a fabric to exhibit along a 50-foot series of panels which are divided into sections for each designer. A description of the designer, the fabric and why he or she chose it is included on each panel.
“With HYLAND’s Top Designers & Textiles—an exceptional exhibit that challenges nine of the industry’s leading designers to face off with their ideal fabric—Christopher Hyland, a noted textile expert, brings a fresh point of view and a new decorative dimension to the ICFF," said Kevin O’Keefe, GLM Senior Vice President.
According to Hyland, due to the outstanding pool of fabric houses to choose from, his team put 100 names in a hat, drew them at random, and then paired them accordingly with the participating interior designers.
“This is the very first time textiles are being shown at the fair and we hope to do it again next year with another group of designers and showrooms,” said Hyland.
HYLAND magazine will devote one full issue to ICFF and will cover the exhibition in depth. The magazine will also dedicate the annual Hyland Awards to ICFF this year, choosing winners across the categories of furniture, lighting, accessories and more.
The overall winner, with the most innovative product or idea, will receive $1,000, a credit for next year’s booth worth $4,500, and a room in this fall’s Holiday House.
