DUMBO SHOWCASE FEATURES 47 DESIGN INDUSTRY LEADERS
(Brooklyn, NY – May, 2005) The streets of DUMBO were buzzing this weekend as design professionals and curious consumers headed to the hippest of New York hoods for Brooklyn Designs™ 2005. Presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the show featured Brooklyn’s brightest design stars. Designers and manufacturers of contemporary furniture, lighting, rugs and decorative accessories strutted their stuff in two locations – St. Ann’s Warehouse and the newly renovated and expanded Brooklyn Designs™ Gallery.
The show attracted 4,400 qualified buyers, architects, designers and consumers. According to Kenneth Adams, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, “Once again the show exceeded all of our expectations. The overwhelming feeling was that the show is really maturing. We kept hearing over and over again how impressed the attendees were with the overall look of the exhibits as well as the quality of the work being shown. Brooklyn Designs™ has clearly staked its claim not only on the borough but the design industry overall.”
Innovative products on display celebrated new materials and ideas. Some of the crowd pleasers included: everyspace’s lounge chairs that can be broken down into compact pieces in a matter of seconds; Glide’s high-tech colorful cabinets that use fingerprint recognition for access; Bart Bettencourt’s lights made from recycled scraps of wood; Here There Design’s delicate light fixtures created with innovative abaca fiber from palm fronds; Aswoon’s room dividers crafted in metal and curved wood; Oso Design’s lightweight rolling cement stools; Decoradar’s bucolic wall treatment, that upon closer inspection, featured playful hidden images and Asterisk’s Venetian plastered wallcoverings.
In the words of one visitor, Art Osborne, an interior designer from Westport, CT, “I came to the show last year and was even more impressed this time around. I met people who live, breath, eat and sleep their craft. These exhibitors are extremely talented and as a designer finding them is truly a godsend.”
Jill Ayers of everyspace, a new exhibitor, said, “We have been so overwhelmed by the amount of positive feedback we’ve received from attendees, not just retailers and buyers but also consumers. All of our work is modular. Visitors were intrigued by the flexibility of the design and the materials.”
Manabu Inada of Forest Hills, Queens had this to say: “It’s so interesting to see the great mix of natural materials and cutting edge technology. Some of these designers are using things like biotechnology concepts in furniture. The work is very professional and sophisticated. I am a designer myself, and I learned a lot at the show about how to move my business forward.”
Elana Frankel, Senior Editor for Architecture and Design at Metropolitan Home Magazine and a member of the Brooklyn Designs™ jury, added her thoughts, “I was really impressed with the quality of the products and the exhibits on display. The show has grown up so much in three years. It was a pleasure to walk the halls.”
While this year’s exhibitor line-up included 19 newcomers – some that used Brooklyn Designs™ to launch their businesses – many “veterans” also returned to the show. As Azy Schecter of KEA Carpets & Kilims put it, “This was our third year at Brooklyn Designs™ and we got some great response. We had a constant flow of people through our space. We were excited to see that so many people had made it across the bridge for the show.” Her partner Susan Gomersall added, “It was like a high school reunion for the design world. Everyone was here.”
Paul Priven, of Zia-Priven Design, was thrilled with the quality of the attendees, “In addition to design savvy consumers, we met with high-level architects, designers and buyers. It was an ideal target audience for our company.”
According to Scott Braun of Scott Braun Furniture, “We had serious attendees that resulted in more solid sales and new relationships. In fact, I brought a table so new I was still working on it during load in, and sold it by Sunday afternoon. That’s about as rewarding as it gets. It’s a pleasure to watch this show get better each year – it’s become a ‘can’t miss’ event for design in New York.”
Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 was made possible thanks to generous support from the following sponsors: Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau, Two Trees Management, ABC Carpet & Home, Corcoran Group Brooklyn, Con Edison, Brooklyn Brewery, Time Out New York Kids, Interior Design, Pratt Institute, AIA, ASID and IIDA. Brooklyn Designs™ receives additional support from Speaker Sheldon Silver and the Brooklyn Delegation to the NYS Assembly, Speaker Gifford Miller and the Brooklyn Delegation to the NYC Council and the New York City Department of Small Business Services. For more information visithttp://www.brooklyndesigns.net/ or call 718-875-1000 ext. 146.
NEW EXHIBITORS, SPEAKERS AND SPECIAL EVENTS MAKE SHOW A MUST-SEE
(Brooklyn, NY – March, 2005) The countdown is on for Brooklyn Designs™ 2005. Presented by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 promises to break 2004’s impressive records with expanded exhibitor space and all new programming that includes hands-on demonstrations and inspiring speakers. The show will return to St. Ann’s Warehouse (38 Water Street) and the Brooklyn Designs™ Gallery (37 Main Street), which thanks to a recent renovation, is close to double in size.
“We are very proud to see that Brooklyn Designs™ is flourishing. With new sponsors and exhibitors joining the team, a newly expanded exhibit space and an informative series of panels and discussions, the show is truly a testament to the important role Brooklyn plays within the design community. And this year, thanks to the early registration information, we know that Brooklyn Designs™ has not only made its mark on the borough, it has been having an impact across the region. We’ve been receiving calls and requests from New York City and beyond,” said Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
The list of juried exhibitors includes a mix of new and returning designers. According to newcomer, John McDevitt of McDevitt Metal Smithing, “It will be a pleasure to participate in Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 alongside several designers/craftspeople I have known and respected for years. To me the show is a three-day representation of a longstanding community of the best Brooklyn-based furniture makers.”
Other new faces include: Here There Designs, innovative lighting pieces that are 100% recyclable; Wüd Furniture Design, one-of-a-kind custom wood furnishings; artist, custom textile and rug designer Amy Helfand; and Oso Industries, unique, contemporary furnishings merging traditional materials with concrete.
Pratt Institute, a new association sponsor for the show, will once again put together a group exhibit of some of the most innovative new student work from the Pratt industrial design department.
In addition to the exhibits, the show organizers will present a series of informative seminars and panel discussions on design that will be free for all attendees (click here for event schedule). Highlights of the program include an enlightening lecture by design industry expert and editor-in-chief of Metropolis, Susan Szenasy. She will explore great breakthrough design ideas from Brooklyn and beyond. Tom Otterness, world-renowned sculptor, will discuss his public art projects including his 5-mile exhibition on Broadway’s Malls, his work in the New York City Subway System, his current major show in Indianapolis and his new project for the Indianapolis 500.
For those trying to get a handle on the growing number of hip, design stores located around the borough, interior designer Chris Kraig will present an insider’s guide that will reveal all of his sources. Also on the program are several timely design panel discussions including a Furniture New York session on “Commissioning Custom Work,” Dwell’s thought-provoking “The Big Apple goes Design-Build” and “What’s Modern Now” as seen by Metropolitan Home magazine.
The program even includes inspiring tastings and demonstrations at the Bosch, Thermador, Gaggeneau DUMBO showroom. Katy Sparks, Culinary Director of Balducci’s, will participate in a special Mother’s Day event co-sponsored by Time Out New York Kids. Sparks will share some of her trade secrets while Time Out staff keeps kids busy with special crafts.
Show hours have been set for Friday, May 6, 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday, May 7, 10 am – 7 pm; and Sunday, May 8, 10 am – 5 pm. Pre-registered professional members of the design trade attend for free all day Friday.
Brooklyn Designs is sponsored by: Bosch, Thermador, Gaggenau, Two Trees Management, ABC Carpet & Home, Corcoran Group Brooklyn, Con Edison, Brooklyn Brewery, Time Out New York Kids and Interior Design. Additional support is provided by the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Assembly in cooperation with NYS Empire State Development Corporation, the Brooklyn City Council Delegation and the NYC Department of Small Business Services. For more information visit http://www.brooklyndesigns.net/ or contact auster*events at 718-243-1414.
New Sponsors To Back Event
(Brooklyn, NY – January, 2005) The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is revving up for Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 to be held May 6 – 8. The show jury, which includes prominent designers as well as representatives from Interior Design Magazine, Metropolitan Home Magazine and Furniture New York, selected the very best Brooklyn-based designers and manufacturers of contemporary furnishings from a record number of applicants.
“The outstanding quality and increase in the number of applicants is a testament to the borough’s thriving design industry. Brooklyn Designs™ veterans will be joined by an outstanding group of newcomers,” said Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
The complete exhibitor list, which may top 50 firms this year, will be posted on the Brooklyn Designs™ Web site in the coming weeks (http://www.brooklyndesigns.net/).
According to one returning exhibitor, Todd Seidman of 54 Dean, “Brooklyn Designs™ 2004 was our first trade show and the experience couldn’t have been better. The reception we received was phenomenal. Additionally, the sense of community that the show fostered reaffirmed for us why it’s so great to be a designer working in Brooklyn. We are very much looking forward to showing our work again at Brooklyn Designs™ 2005.”
“Brooklyn Designs™ 2004 made such an impression on us that we shifted our focus from custom work to the development of original designs. Among the exciting prospects of exhibiting is the potential for introducing ourselves not only to consumers but also to the other members of the local design community,” said newcomer Sam Kragiel of Brave Space.
“Brooklyn Designs™ has a unique appeal that draws all the right trade and press contacts as well as a knowledgeable buying public. Not only was I able to reconnect with a lot of buyers I had met before, but also with a retail clientele that has a specific, sophisticated taste,” added Bill Couig of Further Design.
The Brooklyn Chamber is pleased to announce that returning sponsors Two Trees Management, ABC Carpet & Home, Con Edison, Interior Design Magazine and Time Out New York Kids will be joined by kitchen appliance giants Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau as well as the Corcoran Group Brooklyn. Also reaffirming their commitment to the show are the local chapters of the American Institute of Architects, the American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association.
According to Adams, “We are working closely with our outstanding sponsors to develop the show program and event schedule. In fact, a big opening night bash will take place at the BSH showroom, which showcases stylish, high-end appliances from Thermador, Gaggenau and Bosch, with beverages provided by The Brooklyn Brewery. We are also exploring an enhanced seminar series, designer/architect events, and consumer demonstrations and promotions. The streets of DUMBO will be alive with activities related to Brooklyn Designs™ 2005.”
Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 will take place at St. Ann’s Warehouse at 38 Water Street in DUMBO as well as a second location (TBA). Show hours have been set for Friday, May 6, 10 am to 8 pm; Saturday, May 7, 10 am to 7 pm; and Sunday, May 8, 10 am to 5 pm. Pre-registered professional members of the design trade attend for free all day Friday.
Brooklyn Designs™ is supported by the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Legislature in cooperation with NYS Empire State Development Corporation, the Brooklyn City Council Delegation and the NYC Department of Small Business Services. For more information visithttp://www.brooklyndesigns.net/ or contact auster*events at 718-243-1414.
Show Dates Set For May 6-8, 2005
(Brooklyn, NY – November, 2004) Kenneth Adams, President of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to announce that Brooklyn Designs™ 2005 will run from May 6 – 8, 2005. The show, already a fixture of the New York design scene, will feature Brooklyn-based designers and manufacturers of contemporary furnishings. It will include indoor and outdoor furniture, rugs, lighting and accessories. Brooklyn Designs™ will return to DUMBO, Brooklyn to St. Ann’s Warehouse at 38 Water Street, as well as to a second location soon to be announced.
In the words of the New York Times, Brooklyn Designs™ 2004 featured “clean, clever and readily available products.” According to Adams, “Brooklyn Designs is re-defining our borough’s reputation. People want a chance to see what the creative economy in Brooklyn is producing.” Over 5,000 consumer and trade visitors attended the 2004 show. Exhibitors, sponsors and visitors were unanimous in their praise.
Added Adams, “One of the things that really distinguishes Brooklyn Designs is our jury process. It insures that everything on display meets the highest aesthetic and technical standards. This makes us a show that everyone from the seasoned design professional to the enthusiastic consumer can enjoy.”
The Brooklyn Chamber is currently putting together a steering committee and a jury that will review exhibitor applications for 2005. The jury will be made up of leading design professionals including editors from the top shelter and design publications. Interested exhibitors should download the 2005 application form by clicking here. The deadline for exhibitor applications is December 20, 2004. Accepted exhibitors will be announced on the Web site.
Companies interested in marketing opportunities should contact the Brooklyn Chamber at 718 875-1000 ext. 148. Brooklyn Designs™ is supported by the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Legislature in cooperation with NYS Empire State Development Corporation, the Brooklyn City Council Delegation and the NYC Department of Small Business Services. For more information contact auster* events at 718 243-1414.
