Tariffs and geopolitical malaise were no match for NYCxDesign that unfolded May 15 to 21. Anchored by the ICFF furniture fair, the week of events explored new neighborhoods and a boom in cross-cultural activations around the city.
ICFF, which unfolded under the aegis of “Designing in Harmony,” said its number of visitors rose 5 percent to 13,000, with 50 exhibitors from 35 countries. In addition, it unveiled Wanted, a showcase of American designers like Ian Love and Detroit-based Japanese designer Ayako Aratani.
“Despite the current economic climate, we saw increases across the board — attendance numbers were up, engagement was high, and we’ve already seen strong renewal momentum for 2026,” said Odile Hainaut, co-brand director of ICFF.
WWD highlights the private homes, spaces, new districts and once industrial- turned-design havens that opened up during a packed roster of cross-cultural interaction and activations.
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Shelter, a New Collectible Design Fair
Afternoon Light’s Deirdre Maloney and Minya Quirk, two fashion veterans who have a knack for curating pieces from various contemporary movements, unveiled the first edition of Shelter design showcase in New York City. The new fair, held on the third floor of the Starrett-Lehigh building in Chelsea, welcomed new and established names like Tom Dixon and upscale furniture firm Audo Copenhagen. Before launching their eclectic furnishings-to-decor e-commerce in 2023, Maloney and Quirk had already made a name for themselves by cofounding the Capsule and Shoppe Object shows.
The duo said they garnered enough momentum to return. “We built a fair that we wanted to attend. We tried to deliver a fresh alternative to the existing structure of design week here in New York. We’re looking forward to building stronger and better for 2026 with the cooperation of creative partners across the spectrum of design,” Maloney said.
Milan’s Simple Flair at The Greenwich
Simple Flair’s new hub for events, meetings, and activities — located on the sixth floor of The Greenwich by Rafael Viñoly — brings together partners, friends, designers and industry personalities. Simple Flair is an international creative firm providing brand consulting and strategy, headquartered in Milan.
The space will be open by appointment for one year and boasts a view overlooking the Hudson River, Brooklyn and Manhattan skyline. Cofounders Simona Flacco and Riccardo Crenna highlighted a strong connection between Milan and New York City through a curated space featuring masterfully crafted Italian creations, juxtaposed by a modern New York living space. The dining room features Broadway chairs by late designer Gaetano Pesce, while the living room is enhanced by iconic pieces like a Le Mura couch designed by Mario Bellini in 1972 for Cassina and Halo lighting. “After Milan, New York is a natural evolution for this format — an opportunity to expand our vision within a global context, open to cross-pollination and new influences,” Flacco said.
Paola Navone’s Redesign of a Neo-Georgian Townhouse
Designer Paola Navone turned the Upper East Side headquarters of ITA, the Italian government agency tasked with promoting Italian brands and exports, into an Italian home. The landmark five-story circa 1904 neo-Georgian townhouse on East 67th Street once belonged to the Auchincloss family.
The site-specific installation designed by Navone featured more than 100 pieces representing over 40 Italian furniture brands. Her curation included hand-knit accessories by artist Alessandra Roveda, the Maralunga sofa by Vigo Magistretti for luxury furniture maker Cassina and the Flos Arco lamp by Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglioni.
It’s Official: Dumbo Is a Design Destination
The once industrial waterfront area has flourished over the last decade, helped by an influx of creative tenants: artists, designers and architects among them. During design week, NYCxDesign organizers declared Dumbo an official design district. With more than 150 design firms based in the small neighborhood, it arguably has the highest concentration of designers than any other part of New York City, they said, noting the uptick in new design tenants and brands like West Elm, Shade Store and Etsy.
Dumbo x Design Day festivities welcomed more than 20 different events, including grand openings, studio visits, panels, book signings, a walking tour of indie design shops, as well as evening art projections on the Manhattan Bridge. Participating companies include Seattle-based firm Henrybuilt, which is known for its kitchen and bath systems and Snøhetta, a Norwegian architectural firm headquartered in Oslo.
Artemest x Nicole Fuller
Building on the momentum from its third edition of L’Appartamento by Artemest in Milan’s 19th century Palazzo Donizetti, the online platform further expanded its scope with a new gallery project for NYCxDesign. Named Incanto, interior designer Nicole Fuller was tapped to enchant the design set with a redesign of Artemest Galleria in New York.
Fuller merged clean lines and minimalist silhouettes and sumptuous materials such as leather, velvet, polished metals and mirrored surfaces. She outfitted the space with luxurious Italian furnishings and accents. Key pieces included Florae Incantata, a large tapestry divided into three panels by Anna Paola Cibin, and a bronze Liberty-era floor lamp by Badari. She also drew inspiration from the opulence of the ’70s with retro design pieces like a medium-sized sofa by Lorenza Bozzoli upholstered in rich red wine velvet and made by Fratelli Boffi and a lacquered table by Giopagani.
