ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks

We are pleased to announce that the ICFF 2023 Call for Speakers form is now open. Please fill out the form below if you are interested.

2023 Speakers Form

 

Nearly 100 changemakers and visionaries shared creativity, innovation, design insight, and what makes them tick, across 20 ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan 2022 Talks.

Given our shared climate emergency and the need for originality, presenters from MoMA’s Paola Antonelli, to the dynamic duo of George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg, to the winners of ECOSolidarity, were among big thinkers, leaders, dreamers, and doers who anchored the fair.

Talks were made possible thanks to Mercato Place and American Standard. The ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan Talks Stage was designed by Rodolfo Agrella with the support of Turf Design, Midgard Licht, and Be Original Americas.

For a sampling of the program, podcasts are coming soon with Ida Linea Hildebrand, Creative Director and Co-Founder, and Rasmus Hildebrand, CEO and Co-Founder, both of Friends & Founders, discussing design with Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald.

DAY ONE

May 15, 2022

10:30 am
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Design for Tomorrow: Exploring The Volume Of Color

Ultrafabrics presents ideas and innovation from design thought leaders on the use of neutral color palettes to elevate, explore, and rebuke traditional notions of neutral tones—stimulating senses beyond the expected.

Saana Baker, Editor in Chief, The Textile Eye
Matilda McQuaid, Acting Curatorial Director, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Nicole Meier, Head of Brand, Ultrafabrics
Kathianna Rousseau, Director|Senior Associate, Rockwell Group
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

11:00 am
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
Women in Design

Rising talent talks creative process and breakthrough ideas.

Tom Lerental, Founder, Tomma Bloom
Sara Schoenberger, Designer and Sculptor
Erica Sellers, Founder, Studio S II
Cherub “Chopp” Stewart, Owner and Principal Interior Designer, Florida Water Interiors
Moderator | Nora Wolf, Founder, Wolf PR

Presented in partnership with the Female Design Council

11:30 am
Oasis, by Float Studio | Booth 261
ECO Solidarity | Part One

A multidisciplinary design movement, ECO Solidarity strives for global unity through design thinking focused on ecology, climate change, equitability, health and community. Learn how European design studios are implementing solutions for an unprecedented future—through design case studies focused on circularity and social practice.

Anna Horvath, Founder, AHA Objects (Malta)
Lotte Kristoferitsch, Project Management, EOOS NEXT (Austria)
George Marinescu and Maria Daria Oancea, Architects and Founding Partners, Atelier Ad Hoc (Romania)
Sep Verboom, Founder, Livable Platform (Flanders|Belgium)
Moderator | Simone Rothman, Founder and CEO, FutureAir

Noon
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Paola Antonelli on Design Emergency: Building a Better Future

Among the world’s most influential design leaders, Paola Antonelli shares insight from her latest book, Design Emergency, and the remarkable designers, architects, engineers, artists, scientists, and activists, who are at the forefront of positive change globally. Focusing on four themes: Technology, Society, Communication, and Ecology, Antonelli explores how our great creative minds are developing new design solutions to the major challenges of our time.

Paola Antonelli, Senior Curator, Department of Architecture and Design, and Director, Research and Development, MoMA

Followed by book signing with Paola Antonelli

1:30 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Power Couples: Höweler + Yoon      

Höweler + Yoon is a design-driven architecture practice and creative studio that believes design is an instrument for imagining and implementing change: social, cultural, technological, environmental. Over the past 18 years, Eric Höweler and Meejin Yoon have built a reputation for work that is formally and technologically innovative, socially engaged, and conceptually rigorous. As part of a dedicated series on power couples, ICFF scouts the industry’s most intriguing design duos to talk about the impact of partnership and how it drives and influences their work.

Eric Höweler,  AIA, LEED AP, Co-Founder and Partner, Höweler + Yoon
J. Meejin Yoon, AIA, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Höweler + Yoon
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

2:00 pm
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
Outdoor Living: How New Shapes, Colors, and Materials Are Defining the Future of Outdoor Design

Acclaimed designers Luca Nichetto and Daniel Germani share the latest in outdoor living, exploring the rise of color and increasingly sophisticated design, and the tendency for homeowners to take risks and embrace bolder styles in their outdoor spaces. They share a behind-the-scenes look at their latest designs with industry leaders including Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens.

Daniel Germani, Founder, Daniel Germani Designs
Luca Nichetto, Founder, Nichetto Studio

Presented in partnership with Brown Jordan

2:30 pm
Oasis, by Float Studio | Booth 261
Ethical Design: Humane and Environmental Provenance

A discussion on ethical aspects surrounding design production, from material sourcing to labor force and the environment, led by artist/writer/photographer Paul Clemence, this panel will bring together leading initiatives addressing humane and ecological practices in contemporary design production. Featured organizations include Design for Freedom and Dissent by Design. According to Clemence, “Today there is a heightened awareness of products provenance and it’s time now to extend that awareness to the design and architecture world.”

Moderator | Paul Clemence, Artist/Writer/Photographer
Royce Epstein, A+D Design Director, Mohawk | Co-Founder, Dissent by Design
Stephane Glannaz, Board Member, Precious Woods+Precious Collection
Hayes Slade, Co-Founder and Principal, Slade Architecture

3:00 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Where Originality Begins: Inside the Creative Mind

The best designers build authenticity right into their creative process. Apart from just brainstorming fresh concepts, a truly original thinker must be willing to explore new possibilities at every possible turn to bring us innovative solutions with lasting appeal. But what allows a successful creative to thrive in uncharted territory? Listen as leaders in the worlds of architecture and design, the graphic arts, and business, share their secrets to creating works that stay true to their own unique perspective.

Gabriele Chiave, Creative Director, Marcel Wanders Studio
Georgie Stout, Founder, 2×4
Amy Auscherman, Archivist, Herman Miller
Stefano Giussani, CEO, Lissoni US
Moderator | Eric Mutrie, Senior Associate Editor, Azure

Presented in partnership with Be Original Americas

4:00 pm
Oasis, by Float Studio | Booth 261
Examining the Many Facets that Challenge Design Now

Noted Danish designer Simon Legald brings a fresh perspective to product design and composition. In a candid discussion, he explores a creative approach to both obstacles and opportunities–highlighting a unique and thorough understanding of craftsmanship and industry.

Simon Legald, Design Director, normann COPENHAGEN

4:30 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Inside Norway: Meet the Makers

Norway has a style all its own—and it is finally having a moment. Meet the talent behind iconic brands Dyfosit, Eikund, Fram Oslo, Hadeland Glassverk, Heymat, Figgjo, Lundhs, and Volver, as they talk best practices in exceptional design, sustainability, sourcing, and production. From artisanship and beauty to methodology and craft, Norwegian makers share their POV on stand-out design.

Sonja Djonne, Co-Founder, Heymat
Jørgen Tengesdal, Co-Founder, Eikund
Annette Hoff, Founder, Fram Oslo
Thor-Anders Lundh Håkestad, CEO, Lundhs
John Jacobsen, International Business Development Manager, Hadeland Glassverk
Anders Hellegaard, Manager, Figgjo
Inger Sjøli, Manager, Dyfosit
Ksenia Stanishevski, Founder, Volver
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

DAY TWO

May 16, 2022

10:30 am
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Designers of the Year                                        

To celebrate the relaunch of Designer of the Year, a who’s who of Designers of the Year talk about their work, outlook, zeitgeist, inspiration, and moving design forward.

Verda Alexander, Principal and Co-Founder, Studio O+A
Shashi Caan, Founding Partner, SC Collective | Founder and President, Globally We Design
Alessandro Munge, Principal, Studio Munge
Primo Orpilla, Principal and Co-Founder, Studio O+A
Kia Weatherspoon, President and Founder, Determined by Design
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

11:30 am
Oasis, by Float Studio | Booth 261
ECO Solidarity | Part Two

A multidisciplinary design movement, ECO Solidarity strives for global unity through design thinking focused on ecology, climate change, equitability, health, and community. Explore how European design studios are implementing solutions for an unprecedented future—through case studies and research on healthy materials, zero waste, and sustainable practices.

Paulina Grabowska, CEO, NASDRA Conscious Design (Poland)
Eduard Herrmann and Matěj Coufal, Co-Founders, Studio Herrmann&Coufal (Czech Republic)
Anatasiya Koshcheeva-Rasehorn, Founder and CEO, MOYA Birch Bark (Germany)
Vlasta Kubušovà, Co-Founder and Creative Director, Crafting Plastics! Studio (Slovakia)
Ana Mestre, Design Director, SUSDESIGN Sustainable Design Studio & Consultancy (Portugal)
Moderator | Jonsara Ruth, Design Director and Co-Founder, Healthy Materials Lab, Parsons School of Design

Noon
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Trends Outlook                                                

Industry innovators explore and discuss design shifts that impact environments both commercial and residential—influenced by consumer, cultural, and global forces.

Tobias Berg, Founder and Designer, Tobias Berg
Guido Hartray, Founding Partner, Marvel
Masako Fukuoka, Design Director, CRÈME/Jun Aizaki Architecture & Design
Adam Rolston, Creative and Managing Director, Partner, INC Architecture & Design
Gary Wheeler, FASID, FIIDA, CEO, ASID | American Society of Interior Designers
Moderator | Nicole Willets, Trends Team and Strategic Products Initiatives Manager, Pella | Luxury Division of Pella

Presented in partnership with Luxury Division of Pella

1:00 pm
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
Maintaining Your Authentic Voice

From the proverbial “finding your voice” to “being true to your brand”, design experts get candid about the power of authenticity.

Jill Malek, Founder, Jill Malek
Sergio Mannino, Founder, Sergio Mannino Studio
Jeff Schlarb, Founder, Jeff Schlarb Design Studio
Moderator | Kathryn Greene, Associate Editor, Hospitality Design magazine

1:30 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Power Couples: Friends & Founders

Rasmus Hildebrand and Ida Linea Hildebrand co-founded the Danish/Swedish design company Friends & Founders in 2013 to encourage the creation of inspiring spaces by embracing an individual’s personality. Through bold and innovative design that exudes character and opens itself up to reinterpretation within new contexts, Friends & Founders forges a new path in the world of contemporary design. As part of a dedicated series, ICFF scouts the industry’s most intriguing design duos to talk about the impact of partnership and how it drives and influences their work.

Ida Linea Hildebrand, Creative Director and Co-Founder, Friends & Founders
Rasmus Hildebrand, CEO and Co-Founder, Friends & Founders
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

2:30 pm
Oasis, by Float Studio | Booth 261
Client Conversation: Can Design Build Brands?

In a compelling collaboration on Glowbar, entrepreneur Rachel Liverman and designer Brad Sherman achieved business-defining, customer-centric design goals that changed the course of the company, and anchored it as a premier brand. Together, Glowbar and Float Studio share how they created a cost-efficient, replicable model—best-in-class in its industry.

Rachel Liverman, Founder, Glowbar
Brad Sherman, Founder and Partner, Float Studio

3:00 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
WantedDesign Emerging Designers Showcase | Part One

Discover the next generation of designers as WantedDesign Manhattan hosts a live Emerging Designers Showcase where rising talent pitches their ideas to design experts. Clever host Amy Devers leads the Showcase with design industry pros onstage—giving top young designers a chance to share their projects and personalities.

Jean-Jacques L’hénaff, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Americas
Jennifer Olshin, Partner and Founding Director, Friedman Benda
Emmanuel Plat, Director of Merchandising, MoMA Retail
Kia Weatherspoon, President and Founder, Determined by Design
Moderator | Amy Devers, Host, Clever

Emerging Designers: Boris Yu, Only One Yes | Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rawlings, Particle | Bodin Hon, Studio Yellowdot | Cheyenne Concepcion | Marcelo Orlievsky, espina corona

Presented in partnership with American Standard

4:00 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
WantedDesign Emerging Designers Showcase | Part Two

Discover the next generation of designers as WantedDesign Manhattan hosts a live Emerging Designers Showcase where rising talent pitches their ideas to design experts. Clever host Amy Devers leads the Showcase with design industry pros onstage—giving top young designers a chance to share their projects and personalities.

Royce Epstein, A+D Design Director, Mohawk Group
Tati Ferrucio, Industrial Designer, LIXIL Global Design, Americas
Luca Nichetto, Founder, Nichetto Studio
Moderator | Amy Devers, Host, Clever

Emerging Designers: Erika Cross, Erika Cross Studio | Sara Schoenberger | Tongqi Lu | Sam Northcut

Presented in partnership with American Standard

4:00 pm
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
Planet-First Design

What matters most? Discover design with a priority on furniture that enhances lives and nature.

Dave Charne, Co-Founder, Fyrn
Kevin Wildes, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Design, Model No.
Fernando Cuevas, Founder, CASAminimo
Moderator | Alissa Ponchione Executive Editor, Hospitality Design magazine

6:00 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
ICFF Editors Awards                                         

And the winner is…  Join us for The ICFF Editors Awards, one of the design industry’s premier accolades. Judged by design media editors who tour the trade fair floor and deliberate to determine the “best of the best” in product launches, the competition recognizes and honors winners live at The Fair.

Co-Host | Phil Robinson, Show Director, ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan
Co-Host | Kevin McGhee, Sales Manager, ICFF + WantedDesign Manhattan

 

DAY THREE

May 17, 2022

10:30 am
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Look Book Live                                               

Five years ago, WantedDesign Manhattan (WDM) launched Look Book as a way for high-end North American studios, makers, and entrepreneurs to connect with interior designers and architects. Now, ICFF + WDM bring Look Book creators to the stage for a lively exchange with A+D professionals about projects, original design, and beautifully crafted products.

BOA, Founder, OI Studio
Ayumi Kodama, Co-Founder, Ayumiya
Miya Kodama, Co-Founder, Ayumiya
Mana Sazegara, Founder, Mana Sazegara
Alfonso Verduzco, Founder, Alfonso Verduzco Design
Moderator | William Hanley, Editor in Chief, Dwell

11:00 am
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
Custom and Bespoke

Learn the foundational details that comprise successful design, every time.

Kelly Dunn, Founder, Fathom Design Company
Susan Knof, Director, Knof Design
Christopher Poehlmann, Creator, CP Lighting
Kevin Wildes, Senior Vice President, Product Development and Design, Model No.

Noon
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Power Couples: Yabu Pushelberg                       

Yabu Pushelberg, the award-winning global design house, specializes in the practical realization of poetic ideas. Based in Toronto and New York, the firm has evolved from traditional interior design company to creative directors of experience, authoring the next era of design through brand strategy, interiors, product, lighting, textiles, and styling. As part of a special series, ICFF + WDM scouts the industry’s most intriguing design duos to talk about the impact of partnership and how it drives and influences their work.

George Yabu, Founding Partner, Yabu Pushelberg
Glenn Pushelberg, Founding Partner, Yabu Pushelberg
Moderator | Stacy Shoemaker Rauen, Senior Vice President, Design Group, Emerald

1:00 pm
Wescover Lounge | Booth 643
How Norwegian Brands Navigate Sustainability and Design

Understand how three standout textile companies from Norway integrate sustainability into their process—from concept to final creation.

Sonja Djonne, Co-Founder, Heymat
Annette Hoff, Founder, Fram Oslo
Ksenia Stanishevski, Founder and Creative Director, Volver

Presented in partnership with Made in Norway

1:30 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Kitchen Tech + Design for the Millennial Client

Millennials are tech savvy, eco-conscious, and very aware of what they want their space to do, or not to do. This makes them the perfect client–if you know how to manage them. In this session, look at current technology shifts, then take an in-depth look at how to work, communicate, and design for millennials successfully.

Pamela McNally, Vice President, Marketing, NKBA | KBIS

2:30 pm
ICFF + WDM Stage | Booth 863
Design Dialogue: Association Leaders’ Outlook

From DEI to climate to supply chain, design advocates discuss navigating challenges, harnessing new ideas, and promoting education, partnerships, inclusion, and community. Their common goal: Building a stronger–and more connected–design industry.

Mark Cunningham, President, NEWH NY | Principal, Cunningham Design + Associates
Katharine Posillico McGowan, President, ASID NY | Founder and Principal, Katharine Jessica Interiors
Julie Schuster, President, NKBA NY | Founding Principal, Julie Schuster Design Studio
Brian Smith, President, DLF NY | Studio Leader, BOLD LLC
John Tudisco, President, IDS NY | Senior Architectural and Design Representative, Tilebar
Amy Van Dorp, Executive Director, WithIt
Moderator | David Santiago, President, IFDA NY | Vice President, IDS NY | Owner/Interior Designer, Casa Santi LLC