If New York seems a bit more stylish over the next 12 days, that’s because literally hundreds of design events are being held across the city — 350 events by 183 organizers at 190 venues, to be exact. Along with the annual behemoths like the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), WantedDesign and Frieze New York, there are brand-new entries, including the Downtown Fair, along with museum and gallery installations, lectures, open studios and meticulously curated pop-up shops.
Visit NYCxDesign, the city’s official site for the design festivities, for an exhaustive list of what’s happening across the boroughs May 9 to 20 — and check out our picks for can’t-miss events.
WantedDesign
See the latest exclusive pieces from big names like Moroso and Design Within Reach alongside emerging talent from Puerto Rico, Mexico and the Middle East at this fair, which also showcases student work from around the world. If you want to discover what might be the next big thing in design, stop by Launch Pad, which features 16 prototypes from designers seeking a manufacturer. The Tunnel, 269 11th Ave., May 17-19, admission $20-$25; WantedDesign NYC.
Collective 2 Design Fair
Now in its second year, this fair — which has one of the coolest locales, at the historic James A. Farley Post Office — focuses on all things modern and contemporary. There are several new exhibitors for 2014, including the Carwan Gallery (Beirut) and Ammann Gallery (Cologne), plus lots of groovy works from the Scandinavians: Modernity of Stockholm and Fuglen of Oslo. Also take a gander at the super-cool Canopy Bed from furniture-maker Joseph Walsh (shown at NYC’s own Todd Merrill Studio). Skylight at Moynihan Station, 360 W. 33rd St., May 8-11, admission $25;
Collective 2 Design Fair.
BKLYN Designs
From the borough that brings you artisanal everything comes the best of Brooklyn design — from furniture to lighting to flooring to textiles. Its 60 exhibitors include established brands like Uhuru and Think Fabricate, along with niche manufacturers like Wax Rax, which makes industrial carts for vinyl record collectors. St. Ann’s Warehouse, 29 Jay St., and the Mark Jupiter Showroom, 191 Plymouth St., DUMBO, May 9-11, admission $15; BKLYN Designs.
Industry City/Design, curated by WantedDesign
Well, who wouldn’t want a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted theremin? It’s just one of the quirky objects that’s part of this indie-focused 11-day show set in the massive Industry City complex in Sunset Park. All sorts of up-and-coming designers who work in the building will be represented — look for cool objects from American Design Club and sculptural lighting by Roll & Hill — plus you can see artists and designers in action (and participate, too!) at various workshops and demos. Industry City,
220 36th St., Brooklyn, May 10-20, free admission; Industry City/Design.