The International Contemporary Furniture Fair has been replaced by ICFF—a name organizers hope will transcend both “contemporary” and “furniture” and represent the diverse mix of design and styles the fair now showcases. Since its acquisition by Emerald Expositions Design Group in December 2013, ICFF has focused on growing its exhibitor base and reinforcing its reputation as the cornerstone of NYCxDesign. It has doubled in size since 2012 and boasts over 700 brands, many of which include lesser-known independent design studios.
Among the more than 200 first-time exhibitors to the show, which takes place May 16-19, are Allied Maker, Workstead, Suite NY, Mondo Collection, and the New York School of Interior Design.
B + N System 1224 at ICFF.
“Our attendees will see hundreds of new exhibitors, a major new exhibition feature direct from Milan, Italy, a unique new Luxury showcase, and as always, all the best and what’s next in design from around the world,” said Kevin O’Keefe, ICFF Event Director.
With the rebranding comes new features such as the Luxe Interiors + Design and HO.MI pavilions, which will include a curated mix of high-end design companies and top Italian designers, respectively. The pavilion will be located in the newly-added 82,500 square-feet on the third floor of the Javits Center.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with [ICFF] on this unique opportunity to bring the Luxe Interiors + Design brand to a global audience interested in high-end design and furnishings,” said Adam I. Sandow, CEO and chairman of Sandow, publisher of Luxe Interiors + Design.
Exhibitors include Lexington Brands, Simon Pearce, THG Paris, Simon Pearce, Apropos Inc., Empire Industries, Lazzoni, Hubbardton Forge and Material ConneXion, among others.
Industry leaders such as architect and designer Roberto Palomba, president of Studio Printworks Dennis Shah, curator Jennifer Scanlan and designer Jeffrey Beers will discuss topics ranging from innovation in materials to new design approaches for a variety of environments and projects during ICFF Talks.
From left: Roberto Palomba, Jeffrey Beers and Jennifer Scanlan.
ASID’s educational programs for design professionals will focus on topics such as Biophilic Design, licensing agreements, design innovation and business strategies, housing trends and design’s impact on human health and wellness, among others. A new student day program will take place alongside the programming for design professionals on the Third Level of the Javits Center between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ICFF Studio, a juried competition featuring the prototypes of undiscovered designers, will take place for the 10th year with Bernhardt Design. Submissions are reviewed based on design aesthetics, ability to be mass produced, marketability and commercial viability. This year’s 11-member ICFF Studio class will include Hanna Kruse of Offenbach, Germany, for her Tarvos Kore Collection; Jordan Tomnuk of Edmonton, Canada, for his Divide lighting collection; Fahmida Lam of Brooklyn, NY, for his Copenhagen chair; Hui Ling Cheng of Pasadena, CA, for his Tui chair; Funi Din of Arcadia, CA, for his Flow table; Hines Fischer of New York, NY, for his Minun Stool; Laura Yeh of New York, NY, for her Lattice chair; David Vu of Ridgewood, NY, for his Round dining table; Tamer Nakisci of Istanbul, Turkey, for his Relax porcelain collection; and Jordi Lopez-Aguilo of Valencia, Spain, for his Gradient bookshelf.
