For the next three days, PIERS 92 and 94 on 55th Street at 12th Avenue will be jam-packed with designers and consumers alike, all attending the 18th annual edition of the Architectural Digest Design Show. It’s a global trade show where they can source, shop and see the latest offerings in design. A+A recently interviewed two members of the AD Design Show team, Michael Rabatin, director of marketing and Jeff Petersen, director of sales, via email:
What’s the size and scope of the show?
Each year the show attracts approximately 50,000 attendees and 400 exceptional brands. This year will mark the largest representation of woman-owned or women-led design companies in the history of the show (with more than 50 in the MADE section specifically). Additionally, many brands not only use the show as their moment to debut new products, they also launch their brands for the first time. This year, for example several companies are launching their businesses at the event, including Tissilent and Nothing.
What’s special this year?
This year there are several exciting new show features, including a new lounge for the design trade called the VIP Designer Lounge, presented by the A&D Building, as well as a fresh entryway concept, that will feature elegant wallpaper from Cole & Sons, a striking chandelier from Vaughan, topiaries from New Growth Design, carpeting from Selva, and walls dressed in Benjamin Moore’s new Metropolitan gray hue. Another new space at the show this year is an ultra-comfortable lounge located at the back of REFRESH. At Home with AD is a collaboration between The Home Depot and AD editors, which is inspired by the latest design trends from the Home Decorators Collection. Designed to offer attendees a serene reprieve, the space is also home to Butterfield Market and B Bar for food and beverage offerings. There will be a series of special events for attendees including complimentary coffee (Friday, 10:00–11:00 a.m.); cocktails and mocktails with lifestyle influencers Christina and Robert of New Darlings (Saturday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.); and decadent treats with lifestyle blogger Will Taylor of Bright Bazaar (Sunday, 2:00–3:00 p.m.).
The AD Apartment is always an exciting component of the show. This year it will be transformed by New York-based interior designer Sasha Bikoff to the theme of an “uptown girl living in a downtown world” spirit. Highlights include a host of visionary décor meant to spark every sense. In the kitchen, attendees will find professional-grade home appliances by Gaggenau, state-of-the-art surfaces from Dekton by Cosentino, and Art Deco-inspired cabinetry by Danish design company Reform. A stellar lineup of products and brands will also be included in the space, including Brizo®, Calligaris, Clementine Studio, Dyson, Emtek, Lenox, Livex Lighting, Lumber Liquidators, Mayflower Wallpaper, ShimmerScreen®, Supreme Furniture Services, and Tuft & Needle. The AD Apartment is home to exciting events, including Champagne toasts with Bikoff, AD editors and AD Editor in Chief Amy Astley; baking demos from Gaggenau; a designer book signing with Jeffrey Bilhuber; and a Colavita® Olive Oil Dessert Tasting.
New exhibitors?
New to the show are Meural X NETGEAR, Vitrea, Forged Modern, London Basin, Signature Kitchen Suite, Fiandre, Tempaper and Fisher & Paykel. Lighting exhibitors of note: Vaughan, Hubbardton Forge, studio PRGB and AlexAllen Studio. Furnishings of note: Chai Ming Studio, Vanessa Deleon collection at Elbra, KGBL, Naula, Vonnegut/Kraft, Kin&Company, Soft-Geometry and Couture Outdoor. Glass: Vetro Vero, New Growth Design, Eidos Glass, Epiphany Glass, Ocrum Design, Siemon and Salazar, Glass Crafters, Tracy Glover Studio and Elizabeth Lyons. Ceramics–BZippy, Hazy Mae, John Sheppard, Karen Tinney, Matthew Ward, Paris Ceramics, Heritera and Franca.
For more, go here.
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