Dec 4, 2008

Young Designer’s Platform featured in January show

(WHITE PLAINS, NY) … A new partnership between the New York International Gift Fair (NYIGF) and the American Design Club (AmDC) will result in expansion of “A+: The Young Designer’s Platform” within Accent on Design in January 2009. In addition, Accent on Design will welcome ten new exhibitors – from across the United States and from around the world – to the division this winter.

In January 2009, the American Design Club (AmDC) will curate A+: The Young Designer’s Platform, an “incubator” program introducing the work of promising designers and emerging talents to the wholesale marketplace. A+ participants will be comprised of both specially-selected AmDC members, as well as applicants accepted by the Accent on Design Selection Committee.

Founded in 2008, AmDC is a professional community of designers whose goal is to heighten awareness for emerging designers, promote a sense of community and provide exhibition opportunities for members. Co-founders and charter members are Kiel Mead, Annie Lenon, Simon Arispe (Pratt graduates), Theo Richardson, Charles Brill, Alex Williams (RISD graduates), and Henry Juiler (Carnegie Mellon graduate).

“There is a natural synchronicity between Accent on Design and the American Design Club, states Dorothy Belshaw, NYIGF director. “Both emphasize fresh, contemporary and cutting-edge design, as well as the development of future design leaders.”

Launched in February 2008, A+ exhibit introduces the work of promising designers; including students, recent graduates, or young companies, selected on the basis of design concept, creativity and originality. A+ is presented as a showcase within Accent on Design, a juried collection of 200 contemporary and innovative product lines across all product categories.

New and Expanding Exhibitors
Ten new companies, from as near as Brooklyn and as far as Sydney, Australia, have been accepted to participate in the January 2009 edition of Accent on Design. New exhibitors represent a mix of both first-time participants and well-established companies from the home, gift and lifestyle industries.

Among newcomers, a strong emphasis on handcrafted products is evident, particularly from Bholu Pty Ltd. (Handmade felt rugs, felted & embroidered cushions, bed throws, child toys) from Sydney, Australia; Iskin (jewelry) from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Kanik Chung Glass Blowing (lighting, vases, mirrors, candlesticks) from Brooklyn, NY; Megan Auman Jewelry & Sculptural Objects (jewelry) from Jonestown, PA; Sara Barner (silver/gold jewelry, bags, wallets) from Portland, OR; and The Rug Company (hand woven cushions) from Los Angeles, CA.

Other first-time Accent on Design exhibitors are: D.L. & Co. (Candles, diffusers, soaps) from Los Angeles, CA; Design Glut (Housewares, jewelry, accessories, furniture) from Brooklyn, NY; Joshua Stern Design (home accessories and furniture) from Dallas, TX; Lichen (jewelry) from Bainbridge Island, WA; Pam & Co / The Brelli (biodegradable umbrellas) from New York, NY; Playsam/Vici Enterprise (high-design wooden toys) from New York, NY; Reisenthel Accessories (totes, travel bags and home accessories) from Gilching, Germany; and Screech Owl Design, LLC (greeting cards and journals) from Brooklyn, NY.

In addition, several returning Accent on Design exhibitors will expand their exhibit space this winter. Among these are Areaware (home accessories, furniture, jewelry, textiles, personal accessories) and UMBRA (home décor, tabletop, housewares, furniture).

Accent on Design “Bloggers’ Choice” Awards
Accent on Design will introduce a new “Bloggers’ Choice Award” this January. Editors from several alternative and emerging media channels, including Coolhunting.com, Designspongeonline.com, HollisterHovey.blogspot.com and Mediabistro.com/UnBeige, will recognize top products and designers for superlative design, form and function, talent, creativity and innovation. Winners of the “Blogger’s Choice” Awards, as well as the long-standing Accent on Design Awards, which recognize excellence in product design, product collection and booth design, will be announced on Tuesday, January 27.

Accent on Design at the NYIGF runs January 25-29, 2009, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. NYIGF is the nation’s premier gift and home accessory marketplace, with 2,900+ exhibitors featuring an extraordinary breadth and depth of design-driven home fashion products and complementary giftware. NYIGF is held concurrently with Home Textiles Market Week at NYIGF (at the Javits Center and Passenger Ship Terminal’s Piers 90, 92 & 94), 230 Fifth Avenue and 7 West 34th Street. Some 36,000 buyers from around the world are expected to attend. Additional information and registration is available at www.nyigf.com.