Retail Observer

JULY 2023 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 51 as the spirit of American design, diversity in design, emerging design, innovations in technology, designing the future we want to live in, ethical design, and sustainability. The robust conference lineup included design leaders and innovators such as Snøhetta, Patricia Urquiola, David Rockwell, Sharon Prince of Grace Farms Foundation, Young Huh, Karim Rashid, Jean-Jacques L'henaff of LIXIL, Giulio Cappellini, Deborah Wang of DesignTO, Ayse Birsel, John Edelman, Pamela McNally of NKBA, Jeanine Hayes and Bryan Mason of AphroChic, and 2023 Designer of the Year Morris Adjmi, founding principal of MA Architects, among many others. ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks were presented at the Main Stage, sponsored by Turf and Natuzzi, and at The Oasis x Material Bank, furnished by Normann Copenhagen, FilzFelt, Ressource, and Kasthall. The Main Stage and The Oasis x Material Bank were designed by Rodolfo Agrella from Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio (RADS) with additional support from Alessi, American Standard, Haworth, Lutron, Mecho, and Pella. New this year, we co-located with DIFFA by Design, a celebration of inspired design, cocktails, and community, at the Javits Center. For four decades, DIFFA has harnessed the design industry's resources and talent to create legendary programs and events like DIFFA by Design. NEW DESIGNED SPACES The Crossroads: One of the main highlights and focal points of the show this year was The Crossroads, designed and curated by David Rockwell, Rockwell Group, and Pei-Ru-Keh. Sitting at the center of the show, this playful and immersive 2000 sq. ft. space celebrated American design through the works of 17 established and emerging designers. It also became the location for several dialogues at The Crossroads, hosted by Tiffany Jow of Untapped, in conversation with the designers. This program will be continued in 2024. The Restaurant: Designed by Rodolfo Agrella, the restaurant became a definite go-to for attendees during the show and was furnished in partnership with Be Original Americas and its members Chilewich, Anglepoise, Heller, Kartell, MillerKnoll, and Oasiq. The WDM Café x Caesarstone: Starting on day one as the location for the press breakfast, the WDM Café x Caesarstone became one of the main meeting points at the show. Located in WantedDesign and adjacent to the Talks main stage and The Oasis x Material Bank, this was the perfect place to host meetings over coffee. The space was designed by Rodolfo Agrella and with the support of Heller, Fyrn, Tala, Turf, Ressource, and Mohawk. WANTEDDESIGN MANHATTAN INITIATIVES The jury for the 2023 Best of Launch Pad awards honored two emerging designers this year based on their thought-provoking design. Tori Deetz of Good Growing won the award for Best of Launch Pad, Furniture/Home Accessories and Shaunak Patel won for Best of Launch Pad, Lighting. The jury included: Giulio Cappellini, founder, Cappellini; Andrea Cesarman, co-founder, Design Week Mexico; Jerry Helling, president and creative director of Bernhardt Design; Jean-Jacques L'hénaff, leader, LIXIL Global Design AMERICAS; Jennifer Olshin, founding director and partner, Friedman Benda; Kia Weatherspoon, president and founder, Determined by Design; and Amy Devers, host of Clever. Launch Pad was sponsored by American Standard and presented with media partners Design Milk and Clever. Look Book, the dedicated program for high-end North American designers, makers, and studios that serves as an in-person portfolio for the A&D community, returned this year with 48 exhibitors. This year's participants showcased diverse designs and an exceptional quality of their displays, resulting in an incredibly inspiring Look Book. It was presented by media partner Dezeen with the support of Turf. A selection of Look Book designers participated in Look Book Live, a talks program hosted by Ben Dreith of Dezeen. For the second year, WantedDesign Manhattan continued the Schools Showcase as an opportunity for international design schools to present the work of their best students, to be part of the main design trade event during NYCxDESIGN, to receive feedback from professionals, and to start building their network. Participating schools for 2023 included: CEDIM, Central Saint Martins, Cranbrook Academy of Art, École Boulle, IED, University of Iowa, Northumbria University, Parsons School of Design, Pratt Institute, RISD, SAIC, SCAD, Tec Monterrey, and Universidad Iberoamericana. As presenting sponsors of the Best of Schools and Best of Students prizes, Design Milk and Alessi chose the entire group of students from Universidad Iberoamericana as the Best of Students winner and Northumbria University as the Best of Schools winner. Wanted Interiors returned this year with the Lounge, multi-brand presentations, and storytelling installations. Participants included Turf, Heller, Ligne Roset, Hatsu, Ressource, David Weeks Studio, and a selection of international studios in interactive and immersive spaces. Dates for ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan 2024 are set for May 19-21, 2024. Please visit icff.com for more information. RO

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