What's Happening?
The Collectible design fair is making its second appearance in New York, taking place from September 4-7 at the WSA building in the Financial District. Originally established in Brussels in 2018 by Clélie Debehault and Liv Vaisberg, the fair is known for its unique blend of traditional fair formats in non-traditional settings. This year's event spans over 30,000 square feet on the 39th floor of the WSA building, offering expansive views of the surrounding area. The fair features a diverse array of exhibitors, with around 60% hailing from the United States and the remainder from Europe and other countries including Australia, Brazil, and South Korea. The fair is organized into six sections, each curated by a design industry authority, with the 'In Praise of Folly' section generating significant interest. This section, curated by Architectural Digest's senior design editor Hannah Martin, focuses on aesthetically inspiring pieces that prioritize pleasure over practicality.
Why It's Important?
The Collectible design fair's return to New York highlights the growing interest in contemporary design and the blending of artistic and functional elements. The fair provides a platform for emerging and established designers to showcase their work, fostering innovation and creativity in the design industry. The event also underscores the challenges faced by international exhibitors due to rising tariffs, which impact the import of collectible furniture into the U.S. Despite these economic hurdles, the fair's organizers remain optimistic about the resilience of the design market, which is perceived as less speculative than the broader art market. This optimism is bolstered by the success of the fair's Brussels edition earlier in the year.
What's Next?
Following the conclusion of the New York edition, the fair's co-founders, Debehault and Vaisberg, plan to focus on their upcoming debut in Hong Kong at Maison&Objet's Design Factory. This event, titled 'East Meets West,' will further expand the fair's international reach and continue to promote cross-cultural design dialogues. The ongoing interest in the fair suggests a sustained demand for innovative design solutions that balance aesthetic appeal with functional utility.
