The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) and WantedDesign Manhattan announce programming, events, new spaces, and experiences taking place at New York's Javits Center on May 21-23. With its emphasis on original and sustainable design, ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan bring together over 400 established and emerging design brands from more than 30 countries. Complementing the exhibitors are new show floor features and special exhibits to enrich the visitor experience.
“In our first year as Brand Directors of both ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan, we are thrilled to build on the excitement and robust attendance from last year’s show to bring fresh and inspiring programming and new design spaces to the Javits Center,” said Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, co-founders of WantedDesign and Brand Directors for ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan. “Having this new role allows us to create a more cohesive floorplan to enhance the visitor experience. We are bringing design from both established and emerging brands from around the world, including new country pavilions and a special American Design exhibit called The Crossroads, to continue to position ICFF as the premier contemporary design fair in North America.”
For the three days of the fair, nearly 100 design stars, changemakers, and emerging talent will take center stage as they participate in the ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks on the mainstage, as well as in the Oasis space, with a lineup of panel sessions, keynote presentations, and intimate talks that examine the future of residential and commercial design.
The highlights of the Talks include design leaders and innovators such as Snøhetta, Patricia Urquiola, David Rockwell, Young Huh, Sasha Bikoff, Giulio Cappellini, John Edelman, Simone Vingerhoets, Mavis Wiggins, and 2022 Designer of the Year Kia Weatherspoon, among many others who will be the ones to watch this year.
Key topics include a trend presentation from WGSN on the shifts that will shape our industry in 2024, take a peek at the out-of-the-box thinking that drives the work of Snøhetta, a diversity in design panel hosted by Paul Clemence, Be Original Americas brings top-notch speakers to discuss innovation and original design, a talk on the metaverse and interior design with Surface magazine, the ever-popular and inspiring Emerging Designer Showcase presented with Clever gives young designers a chance to pitch the experts, Look Book Live presented with Dezeen, Cindy Allen of Interior Design magazine moderates a discussion on designing with the next generation presented with Haworth, a conversation and book signing with designer Vicente Wolf, ECO Solidarity is back for its second year, and lastly David Rockwell speaks about the spirit of American Design.
Special Feature: ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan 2023
“One of the first decisions we took as brand directors of both fairs was to put a spotlight on American Design and to provide a point of view and a panorama on the more established and emerging design scene. We have been thinking of new ways to plan the show floor and create a different format to showcase products. For The Crossroads, we had a chance to partner with Rockwell Group, knowing how much David Rockwell and his team share our passion for supporting and collaborating with American studios. This space will translate how much the collaborative approach means to us and to everyone involved in the making of it. We are very happy to share this new feature which we think will be a wonderful surprise for visitors and we hope to develop this further in the upcoming years,” said Hainaut and Pijoulat.
“The Crossroads celebrates the union of two great American design shows: ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan. For the installation, we wanted to explore the notion of duality and contradiction in American design—the strengths that are inherent in the established and the emerging; the merging of technology with hand-craftsmanship; the need for practicality to go hand-in-hand with fantasy. I think American designers are constantly trying to meld those worlds,” stated David Rockwell, Founder and President, Rockwell Group.
[NEW] At the Crossroads of American Design: Celebrating the Established and the Emerging
Like the inherent duality within the United States itself, the American design landscape has evolved from providing practical, industrial design-led solutions to creating more artistic, fantasy-driven pieces that are rich in narrative. In the last two decades, American designers have increasingly incorporated provenance, materiality, texture, and color in their work, embracing diversity and disruption in both methodology and aesthetics to respond to the social issues facing the world today. From the established to the emerging, The Crossroads offers a snapshot of American design in its many shapes and forms. United by entrepreneurship, individuality, and a love of making, this showcase of designers and studios from across the country kick-starts a conversation about what American design can mean, at the junction of the city’s two major design fairs - ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan - newly under the same leadership for the first time.
Located at the nexus of ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan, The Crossroads is the new heart and showpiece of both fairs this year. Creative Director David Rockwell and his firm Rockwell Group, and Editor/Co-Curator Pei-Ru Keh have created a playful and immersive environment in ode to two pillars of Americana - the great outdoors and the American home, which simultaneously nods to the interplay of contrasts amongst the works and objects on display. Divided into several spaces, which include a communal area anchored by Fort Standard’s oversized striped dining table, a gallery of objects highlighting the diversity in practice, origin and method of practitioners that straddle both form and function, and a casual configuration of stools made by the members of Lumber Club Marfa, a woodworking club of girls aged 7-14, the installation serves as a space for visitors to both discover and reflect on the breadth of American design.
Creative Direction: David Rockwell and Rockwell Group
Editor/Co-Curator: Pei-Ru Keh
Partners: BZIPPY, Drop It Modern, Superflower, Coil+Drift, Fort Standard, Bower Studio, and Ladies & Gentlemen
Contributors: Alexis Tingey, Bradley L. Bowers, David Weeks Studio, Liam Lee, Lumber Club Marfa, Nifemi Ogunro, Norman Teague Design Studio, Sophie Lou Jacobson, and Sunshine Thacker - Love House.
Designed Spaces
One of the bigger changes to the fair this year includes enhancing the event experience by creating new spaces for attendees to meet, lounge, and eat, on both the ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan show floors.
[NEW] Welcome Area: Designed by Moooi, this new space will be a warm and welcoming area for all attendees of the fair. It features Nika Zupanc, the latest collection from Moooi, which will be placed front and center.
[NEW] Restaurant: Visitors and exhibitors will be able to purchase food from New York-inspired food stands, highlighting the diversity of the city. The restaurant area is sponsored by Mecho Shade and furnished in partnership with Be Original Americas and its members Chilewich, Anglepoise, Heller, Kartell, Herman Miller, and Knoll.
Oasis: Returning this year, the Oasis space is where visitors can relax, meet, and listen to intimate panel discussions in a space furnished by Normann Copenhagen, FilzFelt, and Kasthall.
[NEW] WDM Café x Caesarstone: A place for attendees to meet and network, with the support of Heller, Fyrn, Tala, Turf, and Mohawk.
Wanted Interiors: Participants include Turf, Heller and a selection of international studios in interactive and immersive installations. The Lounge, designed by Rodolfo Agrella, is sponsored by David Weeks Studio, Kasthall, USM, and Ligne Roset, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Togo, designed by Michel Ducaroy.
For the third consecutive year, the fair is collaborating with Rodolfo Agrella, from Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio (RADS) to bring the design vision to life. In addition to the overall look and feel for WantedDesign Manhattan, the WantedDesign Manhattan lounge and Cafe, and the ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks stage, Agrella is expanding his work to include Art Direction for the Oasis space and the Restaurant area.
“Rodolfo Agrella translated the design of the different areas of ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan using the notion of conviviality, wellbeing, and optimism that are so important to us,” commented Hainaut and Pijoulat. “Thanks to excellent collaborative work between Rodolfo and our different partners, those spaces will not only provide an inspiring and unique experience to the visitors but also give the manufacturers an opportunity to showcase their products in the most beautiful way. Embracing and celebrating the uniqueness of our community with the creation of a bold and clean platform to foster friendship, connections, joy, and creativity through design nourished this collaboration with Rodolfo Agrella and is implemented across the show floor.”
Additional Events
The ICFF Editors Awards is open to all exhibitors and recognizes the top designs across 12 product categories plus the Best in Show award. Winners will be announced on May 22 at 5:00 p.m. on the ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks mainstage.
The 43rd Annual ICFF Interiors Awards will celebrate outstanding design work and present the distinguished Designer of the Year Award on May 21 at 6:00 pm in the DIFFA by Design space at the Javits Center. Over its long history, the program has launched and supported the careers of some of the world’s best designers. A portion of this ticketed event will go to support DIFFA.
DIFFA by Design, a celebration of inspired design, cocktails, and community, will be co-located with ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan at the Javits Center this year. For four decades, DIFFA has harnessed the design industry's resources and talent to create legendary programs and events like DIFFA by Design.
ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks Schedule
The Talks are open to everyone who registers and attends the fair and are located on both the Talks mainstage and the Oasis space. Full schedule here. The ICFF+WDM stage is sponsored by Turf and Natuzzi. The Oasis space is designed with the support of Normann Copenhagen, Filzfelt, and Kasthall.
SUNDAY, MAY 21ST
11:00 a.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
WGSN Global Trend Forecast
WGSN, the global authority on change, shares forecasts and analyses from one of its most important interiors reports: WGSN’s Big Ideas for 2024. This presentation covers the six major industry trends set to shape what consumers and businesses will need in 2024.
Angela Ringo, Senior Trend Forecaster & Editor, WGSN
Moderator: Laura Joralemon, Content Editor, ICFF
11:00 a.m. | Oasis
ECO Solidarity, Part I
Since its foundation in 2020, the ECO Solidarity initiative has encouraged designers to redefine sustainability, focusing on public safety, health, well-being in public spaces, ecology, climate change, and the key objectives of SDG and the Green New Deal. Attendees will have an opportunity to hear the ECO Solidarity European designers share their insights and vision in two informative talks.
Moderator: Deborah Wang, Artistic Director and Curator, DesignTO
12:30 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
In Conversation: Snøhetta
From interiors, graphics, and architecture, to landscapes, and products, there isn’t anything Snøhetta doesn’t do. Dive into the firm’s defining projects and innovative approach.
Anne-Rachel Schiffmann, Director, Snøhetta
Moderator: Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald
12:30 p.m. | Oasis
Diversity in Design: A Discussion on Personal Identity, Inclusivity, and Creativity
How do we balance our professional and personal identities when they differ from the established—and widely accepted—social and cultural references of the design industry? What can ‘being different’ add to the creative process? The panelists will address this timely subject with valuable input from their own personal experiences and insights into the topic.
Signed copies of Jeanine and Bryan’s book, AphroChic: Celebrating the Legacy of the Black Family Home, will be available for purchase following the discussion.
Ana Mengote Baluca, Chair, DEI Council, IDSA
Jeanine Hays, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AphroChic
Bryan Mason, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AphroChic
Yadiel Rivera-Díaz, Partner, Marvel
Moderator: Paul Clemence, Design Editor and Writer
Presented in partnership with IDSA.
1:30 p.m. | Oasis
Interni Design Re-Evolution
A discussion into how the figure of the designer is evolving, in their relationships with business, to the idea of the design maker, and to the need to interact with new and increasingly high-performance technologies.
Gabriele Chiave, Designer
Karim Rashid, Designer
Moderator: Carlo Biasia, Special Projects Architect
2:00 p.m. | WantedDesign Manhattan Lounge
Design the Long Life You Love: Book Presentation & Signing with Ayse Birsel
The award-winning product designer, innovator, and life coach presents her latest book, Design the Long Life You Love.
Ayse Birsel, Author, Co-Founder, and Creative Director, Birsel + Seck
2:30 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Inspiring Innovation: Can Original Design be Taught?
This panel brings together a group of experts to explore this long-debated topic and offer insights and guidance for inspiring innovation and originality in the next generation.
John Edelman, President & CEO, Heller
John McPhee, Chief Executive Officer, Chilewich
Pablo Pardo, Owner, Pablo Design
Simone Vingerhoets, Senior Vice President, Ligne Roset USA
Mavis Wiggins, Managing Executive, TPG Architecture
Moderator: Dennis Scully, Podcast Host & Contributor, Business of Home
Presented in partnership with Be Original Americas
2:45 p.m. | Oasis
The Metaverse and Interior Design
Jaime Derringer, Founder, Design Milk
Colleen Newell, CEO and Creative Director, The INBTWN
John Vieweg, Creative Director, thehighkey
Moderator: Ryan Waddoups, Senior Editor, Surface
Presented in partnership with Surface Magazine
4:00 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
WantedDesign Manhattan Emerging Designers Showcase
Discover the next generation of designers as WantedDesign Manhattan hosts a live Emerging Designers Showcase where rising talent pitches their ideas to design experts.
Giulio Cappellini, Founder, Cappellini
Andrea Cesarman, Co-founder, Design Week Mexico
Jerry Helling, President, Bernhardt Design
Jean-Jacques L’hénaff, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Americas
Jennifer Olshin, Founding Director & Partner, Friedman Benda
Kia Weatherspoon, President & Founder, Determined by Design
Moderator: Amy Devers, Executive Producer & Host, Clever Podcast
Presented with media partners Clever and Design Milk with the support of American Standard
MONDAY, MAY 22nd
11:00 a.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Designer of the Year
A conversation with this year’s winner of the coveted honor, awarded and celebrated at the 2023 ICFF Interiors Awards.
The 2023 Designer of the Year
Moderator: Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald
Moderator: Jenn Tuetkin, Director of Development and Design, Pella Corporation
Presented with the support of the Luxury Division of Pella
11:00 a.m. | Oasis
New Builds: Innovations in Technology and Construction
Martin Voelkle, Partner, BIG
Moderator: Simon Keane-Cowell, Editor-in-Chief, Architonic
Presented in partnership with Architonic.
12:30 p.m. | ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks Stage
Capturing the Spirit of American Design
Collaboration and entrepreneurship have long defined the multidisciplinary practice of architect David Rockwell. As a veteran of numerous industries, ranging from hospitality to cultural to residential and workplace to product and theater, David’s experience as a pioneering American designer has given him a unique perspective on how the American design landscape has grown. From forging new paths to continuing to create with passion, David and his 300 strong team at Rockwell Group continue to deliver the unexpected. Join us as he shares how he’s seen American design evolve and where the new guard can take things further.
David Rockwell, Founder & President, Rockwell Group
Pei-Ru Keh, Editor and Co-Curator, The Crossroads
12:30 p.m. | Oasis
The Rise of Science-Based Design
Todd Bracher, Founder and Creative Director, Studio Bracher
Moderator: Simon Keane-Cowell, Editor-in-Chief, Architonic
Presented in partnership with Architonic.
1:30 p.m. | Oasis
Design That Makes a Difference
Barry Richards, Principal and Studio Leader, Rockwell Group
Simon Keane-Cowell, Editor-in-Chief, Architonic
Presented in partnership with Architonic.
2:30 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
All Together Now: Designing for (and With!) the Next Generation
A conversation on the power of mentorship and collaboration across generations. Join a world class product designer, an art director, and a star student and their advisor to discuss the dynamic relationship between emerging talent and seasoned professionals as they shape the future of design better together.
Patricia Urquiola, Founder, Studio Urquiola
Giulio Cappellini, Founder, Cappellini
Anais Missakian, Provost, Rhode Island School of Design
Bill Carroll, Graduate Student, Rhode Island School of Design
Moderator: Cindy Allen, Editor-in-Chief, Interior Design Magazine
Presented with the support of Haworth.
2:45 p.m. | Oasis
Anatomy of a Project
Chad Oppenheim, Founding Principal, Oppenheim Architecture
Simon Keane-Cowell, Editor-in-Chief, Architonic
Presented in partnership with Architonic
4:00 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Look Book Live
WantedDesign Manhattan launched Look Book in 2017 as a way for sophisticated North American studios, makers, and entrepreneurs to connect with interior designers and architects. Now, the Look Book creators take the stage for a lively exchange with A+D professionals.
Sebastián Ángeles, Director and Owner, Sebastián Ángeles
Caleb Ferris, Designer and Founder, Caleb Ferris
Tom Lerental, Founder and Creative Director, Tomma Bloom
Christian Lo, Founder, Anony
Moderator: Ben Dreith, US Editor, Dezeen
Presented with media partner Dezeen with the support of Turf.
4:00 p.m. | Oasis
Creative Interior Solutions: A Conversation & Book Signing with Vicente Wolf
Join celebrated designer, Vicente Wolf, in conversation with Wendy Goodman to present his fifth design book, Creative Interior Solutions, followed by a book signing with the author.
Vicente Wolf, Owner and Founder, Vicente Wolf Associates
Moderator: Wendy Goodman, Design Editor, New York Magazine and Curbed
4:00 p.m. | The Crossroads at ICFF
Meet the Designers
5:00 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
ICFF Editors Awards
Join us for The ICFF Editors Awards, one of the design industry’s premier accolades, to honor this year’s winners.
Odile Hainaut, Co-Brand Director, ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
Claire Pijoulat, Co-Brand Director, ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
Kevin McGhee, Sales Manager, ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
TUESDAY, MAY 23RD
11:00 a.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Reshaping Design: Tracking the Trends Influencing Kitchen and Bath
This highly interactive discussion, with insights and analytics from NKBA, will explore the cultural shifts that matter most to design—and how they are shaping kitchens and baths.
Pamela McNally, Senior Vice President, Marketing + Digital, NKBA | National Kitchen & Bath Association
Moderator: Suzie Williford, Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Industry Relations, NKBA | National Kitchen & Bath Association
Presented in partnership with NKBA.
11:00 a.m. | Oasis
ECO Solidarity, Part II
In the second part of this series, join the ECO Solidarity European designers as they share their insights on and vision for sustainability, public safety, health, and well-being.
Moderator: Cynthia E. Smith, Curator, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
12:30 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Color Trends & The Impact of Light on Materials & Finishes
Join industry leaders for a discussion on all things color, from current cravings and when and how to embrace “of the moment” hues, to the often-overlooked role that lighting plays in bringing materials and finishes to life within a space.
Sasha Bikoff, Founder and Principal, Sasha Bikoff Interior Design
Kathryn Chiarelli, Sales Leader for Residential Specification, Lutron
Jon Sherman, Founder and Creative Director, Flavor Paper
Young Huh, Owner, Young Huh Interior Design
Moderator: Kathryn Given, Senior Style and Market Editor, Luxe Interiors + Design
Presented with the support of Lutron.
12:30 p.m. | Oasis
From Waste to Wanted
Phillip Raub, CEO of Model No.
Bibi Seck, Co-founder of Birsel+Seck
Jean-François Fillaut, Co-founder of Espere and founder of Waste & Hope
Moderator: Annie Block, Executive Editor, Interior Design Magazine
1:30 p.m. | Oasis
Ethical Design: Addressing Forced Labor
A conversation about the issues around enslaved workforce in the design industry.
Sharon Prince, Founder and CEO, Design for Freedom
Susie Teal, Partner, COOKFOX Architects
Moderator: Paul Clemence, Design Editor and Writer
2:30 p.m. | ICFF + WDM Talks Stage
Jakob Lange, Architect and Partner, Bjarke Ingels Group
Nika Zupanc, Designer
Moderator: PJ Natuzzi, Chief Brand Officer, Natuzzi
Presented with the support of Natuzzi.
To support the idea of a cohesive Design Week, the NYCxDESIGN Festival returns to coincide with ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan from May 18-25, 2023.
SHOW DATES & HOURS
Sunday, May 21: 10AM-6PM
Monday, May 22: 10AM-6PM
Tuesday, May 23: 10AM-5PM
Registration is open to trade professionals all three days and to the public on Tuesday, May 23. The badge will allow you access to both ICFF and WantedDesign Manhattan. Qualified attendees receive free access to the co-located LightFair show floor on May 23rd.
Press registration can be found here.
For more information about ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan and to register, please visit icff.com.