The 35th edition of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) was held at the Javits Center in New York City from May 19-21, with more than 450 emerging and established brands representing 35 countries.
Brand directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat emphasized a redesign with color-coded spaces on the show floor. Paired with diverse programming, their curated approach drew 13,000 attendees to the fair. “We implemented key elements, merging commerce and culture with a focus on design,” said Hainaut. “We stayed creative in our focus on building and re-establishing this event to be at the forefront of the international scene.”
Pilar Olaverri, a designer based in New York, showed her Cabuya collection as part of the WANTED Launch Pad platform. The illuminated sculptures are hand-fabricated using LED lights. Rather than craft typical static fixtures on a base, she wanted to capture the fluidity of falling lines that emulate a sketch. Olaverri noted her Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage, and said that the mix of cultural influences at the fair added to its appeal. “There’s such a different energy here, and you can see the appreciation of traditional craft passed down from each generation, but it is updated with the latest technology.”
Indoor-outdoor collections continue to be popular for both hospitality and office settings. Everything from seating to accessories are made with versatility in mind. Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens displayed the CUBE line, a collaboration with designer Luca Nichetto. The modular kitchen concept was shown in a vibrant combination of Beige Red and Salmon Pink powder-coat finish. The bold design earned the brand an ICFF Editors Award in the Outdoor category.
People are setting up outdoor offices to take advantage of natural light and fresh air, so mobility is essential. Fermob presented the Adadesk, a rocking seat made of aluminum. The piece was a hit at the show, with visitors stopping by the booth to try it out. “Adadesk was designed to emphasize creativity,” explained Stéphanie Albarran, marketing manager, Fermob USA. “It’s nice to use during brainstorming sessions because your body is in motion, which can help an individual to generate lots of different ideas.”
Adadesk is available in the new Marshmallow shade, a soft purple hue reminiscent of sweet, sugary treats. Marshmallow is a fun new color that we introduced this year. “Students and adults love it, because it reminds them of childhood,” Albarran added.
Zachary A. was back at the fair with furniture made of resin, stone aggregate, and fiberglass, including one of their latest offerings, the Raised Brow Console. The studio’s all-weather furniture mimics the look of concrete yet is surprisingly lightweight. “Our focus has always been on the unexpected and using these materials. Each object in the line has the durability of concrete, but they are easy to install and re-position on terraces or in backyards.”
“In this post-pandemic period, people are putting even more emphasis on their outdoor spaces. We are doing custom work for hotels and corporate customers who want something for the rooftop or patio that can be used throughout the year,” said Harrison Parkes, Zachary A. designer. He also noted that the team continues to exhibit because they can connect with potential clients from diverse segments. “We’ve met everybody from every market, and that has worked really well for us. We’re making residential, commercial, and art furniture, so we have the best of all worlds here.”
Turf also had a variety of stone-like options on view, and took home the Materials & Surfaces ICFF Editors Award. Carrara panels, for example, echo the look of marble, complete with veining. Product and presentation always go hand in hand, which they highlight each year, not only in their booth, but also in designated visitor areas.
“This is our fourth year collaborating with the ICFF-WANTED team, and we created a new experience with a larger footprint,” said Faraz Shah, senior manager, brand and marketing communications, Turf. Felt panels from the company’s new Stone Textures line served as The Main Stage’s backdrop.
The goal for organizers was to improve the feel for attendees and visitors alike, with a number of sections for lounging or networking. “We created a floor plan that was more digestible and easier to navigate, offering multiple destinations to discover new products under one roof,” Pijoulat noted. She added that the fair’s location in Manhattan makes it the ideal sourcing event. “The U.S. market is more dynamic, and one that offers real growth opportunities.”
Indeed, that’s just one of the reasons why Canadian manufacturer hollis + morris returned to ICFF after last exhibiting pre-COVID. “New York has always been strong for us,” said Adrianne Straatsma, managing director, who explained that the majority of sales come from the States. “At ICFF we are here with more of the right people, the audience that we really want to target.”
