The iconic Decoration & Design Building (DDB) in New York City hosted its biannual Spring Market, which featured top editorial voices, dozens of design influencers, leading industry trade organizations and nearly 3,000 attendees. This year’s Spring Market delved into the theme Design Confidential presented by Vanguards & Visionaries. Internationally renowned design publications The World of Interiors and British House & Garden hosted programs for the first time at a US Design Center.
Spring Market 2019 was comprised of three Keynote presentations, 15 Showroom Programs, 19 Experiential Events, 6 Cocktail Receptions, and 68 Open Houses (DDB had to add an additional program per hour and additional cocktail receptions due to overwhelming interest to participate). The compelling theme answered designers’ questions of how to take the next step in their design practice on a grand scale and at a very high level.
All programs that adopted the theme “Design Confidential Presented by Vanguards & Visionaries” saw a high caliber of designers who could realistically benefit from applying the knowledge to their practice, noting that authenticity is key to success in the digital age. The Market also focused on representation of women through an initiative with Style Library, inviting guests and panelists to wear white to celebrate women in design. 2019 is decidedly the year of the woman in the design world. The D&D Building also made a concerted effort to focus on inclusivity and diversity, ensuring designers of color were not only represented, but celebrated through conversations such as If You Can See It, You Can Be It with Metropolis magazine at Knoll Inc. with Knoll Luxe.
Keynote sessions included Inspiring Designers: An In-Depth Look At Their Obstacles and Rewards where ELLE DECOR Editor in Chief, Whitney Robinson hosted leading interior designers Robert Stilin, Genevieve Gorder and Jeff Andrews for a lively discussion about their accomplished careers and exceptional designs. Known for crafting elegant and awe-inspiring interiors from around the globe, this celebrated group shared their stories about the challenges they face, their ultimate rewards, and of course, their secrets on creating impactful design and long-lasting relationships with their clients.
The second keynote was Interiors International: Captivating a Global Clientele. For the first time in the U.S., UK-based The World of Interiors’ Executive Editor, Sophia Salaman and global grand dame of design, Mary Fox Linton peeled back the layers of her storied career in an intimate conversation about international interiors, peppered with nostalgic, relevant and hilarious anecdotes. Listing the European aristocracy amongst her friends and clientele, Fox Linton is known for inventing the concept of boutique hotels and infusing historic estates with her signature style. Founder of the quintessentially British luxury home furnishings brand Fox Linton, the adept businesswoman also shared insights into the business of design from a European perspective, including how she got her start.
The third and final keynote of the day was Design Royalty, featuring Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill, who grew up at Blenheim Palace, one of the UK’s most famous stately homes, Nina Campbell, a peerless design icon, and David Harber, a sculptor of regal proportions. They gathered to discuss how the English conquer design with British House & Garden Editor in Chief, Hatta Byng. Drawing inspiration from centuries-old traditional English design, this illustrious trio shared a peek at how they adapt and honor their heritage while designing for modern English life. Among the cultural differences they enumerated, an appreciation for design and craftsmanship was universal.
Other notable participants included: Carson Kressley, Chad Stark, Chloe Schwartz-Gerhardt, Amy Sneider, Sasha Bikoff, Michel Smith Boyd, Michelle Nussbaumer, Keita Turner, Kendell Cronstrom, Amy Lau, Vicente Wolf, Melanie Roy, Richard Mishaan, Sarah Bray, Ryan Korban, Malene Barnett, Erinn Valencich, Libby Ferin, Eric Cohler, Bachman Brown, Liliane Hart, Katie Lydon, Kaitlin Petersen, Cheryl Eisen, Dennis Sarlo, Kesha Franklin, Lydia Marks, Lisa Frantz, Robert Passal, Michelle Guss, Elizabeth Goldfeder, Avi Rajagopal, Corey Damen Jenkins, Young Huh, Everick Brown, Jean Brownhill, DJ Carey, Kerry Joyce, Sophie Donelson, Thom Filicia, Alexa Hampton, Sara Story, Drew McGulkin, Margaret Russell, Jamie Drake, Anna Beeber, Sophie Durand, David Harber, Janice Parker, Christopher Peacock, Emily Mould, Natasha Thoreson, Claire Staszak, Lynn Byrne, Jill Cohen, Ray Booth, Suzanne Kasler, Lucy Bamman, Fawn Galli, Mona Hhajj, and Emily Summers.
(Photo Credit: Kitty Dadi)
About the Decoration & Design Building (DDB)
Located in midtown Manhattan’s Design District, the Decoration & Design Building (DDB) is an invaluable resource to industry professionals who seek to design and decorate luxurious residential and commercial installations. The DDB is open exclusively to the Trade and welcomes design industry professionals from around the world, who can find inspiration in anything from the bespoke furnishings, ornamental wallcoverings and luxurious fabrics to unique decorative accessories and dramatic lighting, featuring styles ranging from the richly ornate to the sleek and modern. Celebrating 50+ years, the DDB is known nationally and internationally as the world’s most prestigious collection of over 130 showrooms, and represents over 3,000 leading manufacturers dedicated to the very best in residential and business interior furnishings, and resource information. The DDB is home to many global heritage brands rooted in a rich history from countries like France, Italy and the UK, to name a few.
For more information, visit www.ddbuilding.com.
