Skip To Content
Words by: ICFF May 07, 2025

Online Gallery Adorno gives a voice to independent contemporary makers and is active in more than 60 countries with new and unpredictable design scenes being introduced each year. ICFF is pleased to extend its partnership this year with a pop up ADORNO x WANTED SHOP, Launching May 18. 

The Adorno x WANTED Prize will return, selecting three talents whose work stands out in each of these three categories Collective Vision Award — celebrating contributions that build connection, collaboration, or cultural dialogue in design, Future Materials Award — honoring pioneering approaches in material exploration, sustainability, or technology and Mastery in Making Award — recognizes excellence in craftsmanship, process, and technical execution.

We sat down with founder Martin Clausen to hear his thoughts on WANTED 2025 and his perspective on the evolving market for emerging collectible design.

Image Courtesy of Noiro Studio

What are you looking for in exploring this year’s WANTED exhibit at ICFF?

Martin Clausen: I’m excited to experience work that feels honest—design that seems like it could have always existed, without trying too hard. It feels like we are moving away from pieces made just to grab attention, unless they’re doing so with intention or communicating something truly meaningful. At this point, I’m not looking for novelty for the sake of novelty. I’m looking for thoughtful designers who bring a new perspective or quietly improve the way we interact with the world around us. That can come through a form, a process, or simply the way something is made. It’s about relevance, not spectacle.

Image Courtesy of aeny studio

How do you see the “emerging collectible design” market evolving, particularly in the US?

M.C.: We have seen a clear shift in how people relate to design, especially in urban markets like New York or Los Angeles. More and more, people want to buy certain things from individuals rather than from manufacturing brands. They’re drawn to pieces with a story, a process, and a point of view. At the same time, practical considerations like high shipping costs and import tariffs are starting to influence buying behavior. In some ways, this is pushing the market in a good direction, encouraging people to discover local talent, support regional production, and think about sustainability through proximity.

The term “collectible” itself is also evolving. It’s no longer only about rarity or exclusivity in the traditional sense. Instead, I feel like it’s become a way to describe work that’s authored work that carries the imprint of the maker, whether it’s expressive and sculptural or quiet and utilitarian. This blurring of art and function has made the (often exclusive) field more accessible and also more open in terms of diversity.

Image Courtesy of Design VA, Tere Chandelier

Is there one “success story” you can share from a 2024 WANTED participant who is also an Adorno member?

M.C.: Yes, Vy Voi is a great example. She launched her Khoai Môn paper lamps at WANTED 2024, and the response was immediate. The pieces resonated on a visual and conceptual level—they’re delicate, tactile, and deeply tied to her cultural background. Shortly after the launch, we saw a sharp rise in traffic and engagement with her work through our platform, which quickly translated into broader recognition: features in Design Milk, an award from Design Anthology, and a finalist spot in Interior Design Magazine’s Best of the Year 2024.

Then a streak of exhibitions started. She was invited to exhibit at WSA’s curated booth at Collectible Brussels, showed at Alcova Miami, and then joined Wallpaper’s exhibition at the Triennale during Milan Design Week. Next up, ADORNO will be showing her lamp at our ‘PERSONA’ exhibition at 3daysofdesign in Copenhagen. All of this happened in less than a year. It’s an impressive journey that speaks to both the strength of her work and how quickly momentum can build when the right person, piece, fair, and platform reach the right people.

Image Courtesy of Vy Voi, San Light, photo credit: Andrew Bui

You May Also Like

More Stories