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Words by: ICFF June 11, 2025

Cutting her teeth in television—as the host of numerous nationally-diffused shows about home improvement and D.I.Y—Amy Devers has long been a public advocate for contemporary design. For almost a decade, the trained maker, journalist, and presenter has produced Clever: “an award-winning independent podcast that offers a window into the humanity behind the design of the world around us.” With a candid, unfiltered approach, she delves into what makes her fellow creatives tick but also considers their output within a broader socio-cultural framework. Having gained her master’s degree at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Devers maintains a teaching position within the university’s influential Furniture Design Department.

Over the past five years, she’s channeled this diverse experience and expertise in the programming of ICFF / WANTED’s annual Emerging Designers Showcase; a dynamic event that allows up-and-coming designers to interact with industry heavyweights in a critical yet informal fashion. On the heels of the 2025 edition of the fair and this program, Devers reflects on what she uncovered as common threads: where she sees the industry headed and how young talents play a vital role in that evolution.

Amy Devers of Clever hosts the 2025 Emerging Designers Showcase at ICFF 2025

Amy Devers of Clever hosts the 2025 Emerging Designers Showcase with 3 "Pros" on stage (from left to right) Shant Madjarian (Founder, President, Juniper), Chay Costello (Assoc. Dir. of Merchandising and Product Development, The Museum of Modern Art), Gabriele Chiave (Creative Director, CONTROVENTO) - photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography

What was your overall impression of this year’s edition of ICFF/ WANTED?

Amy Devers: I thought this year’s show built on its recent trajectory of curatorial excellence. The organization of the show floor, the programming, the design of the overall show & lounge spaces, and the exhibitors, all pulsed with global personality, warmth, and vibrant creativity.

It’s obvious that care and intention was taken to transform the generic, soulless cavern of the Javits Center into a colorful and comfortable space that felt welcoming and inspired. No small feat!

The vibe amongst the exhibitors was both hopeful and tentative. We’re living in uncertain times and that turbulence has definitely had an effect on our industry. But the feeling on the floor had that characteristic resilience that comes from creatives who know they have the skills and the agency to design their way to bright solutions. I saw friendships being forged, connections being made, and bridges being built. The kinetic energy of community was percolating!

Conversations and connections being made at ICFF 2025

Conversations and connections being made at ICFF 2025, photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography

Looking specifically at the Look Book and Launchpad sections, what are some of your main takeaways in terms of what you feel independent and emerging talents are exploring at the moment?

A.D.: I zeroed in on some themes of cultural hybridity that I found to be particularly exciting. There were studios and emerging designers who were deftly and with great sensitivity and refinement expressing their multi-cultural backgrounds by translating into material, form, and ornamentation that gave the pieces tremendous depth and character. Encountering these types of works is as thrilling as meeting a fascinating new friend at a dinner party. You’re just absorbed and mesmerized trying to learn as much about them as possible!

From left to right: Paula Stoddard (Studio PM), Shant Madjarian (Founder, President, Juniper), Chay Costello (Assoc. Dir. of Merchandising and Product Development, The Museum of Modern Art), Gabriele Chiave (Creative Director, CONTROVENTO), Amy Devers (Exec. Producer and Host, Clever)

What is the significance of Clever being a main supporter of the Emerging Designers Showcase? What were some of the main highlights for you from this year’s presentation?

A.D.: Emerging Designers Showcase got its start back in 2020 when ICFF/WANTED Brand Directors Claire, Odile, and myself were dreaming up programming to celebrate and uplift emerging designers who had loads of talent, but more than anything, needed a boost to get their careers off the ground.

I have a background in TV, so it was natural for me to want to create something with a fast pace, big personalities and high stakes, that would be genuinely entertaining, as well as creatively nutritious.

Also a product of art & design education, I knew the power and value of the critique to help an audience engage more deeply and critically with the work, and connect the designer’s skillsets, motivations, aspirations, and personality. So stir it all together and tada: Emerging Designers Showcase – a live production that feels like a game show, with speed-critiques, professional networking, and awards competition all rolled into one.

This year we had a lot of highlights! We had five tremendously talented studios presenting thoroughly compelling projects that they were hoping to take to the next level. They presented in front of a live audience with the Launch Pad jury in the front row judging the presentations as the final test for the Best of Launch Pad Awards, and three, intimidatingly sharp, insightful and high-profile Industry Pros on stage peppering them with challenging feedback and probing questions. It was a delightful rollercoaster! After presenting, Riccardo Toldo, a lighting designer, was responding to feedback when he mentioned that he was hoping to find a company to manufacture his design. Then Giulio Cappellini loudly proclaimed from the front row: “You’ve found your company!” It was amazing! A real “Shark Tank” moment!

  • Riccardo Toldo presenting during the Emergin Designers Showcase

    Riccardo Toldo presenting during the Emerging Designers Showcase, photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography

  • Giulio Cappellini viewing the Emerging Designers Showcase

    Some members of the Launch Pad jury viewing the Emerging Designers Showcase, photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography

How does the focus and format of this program align with, extend from, the mission behind Clever; your vision of what design as a critical domain and industry should be concerned?

Clever has always been about bringing the backstory forward. I firmly believe that connecting with the actual human (and their full spectrum of humanity) who conceived, shepherded, and labored it into existence fosters a more meaningful connection to the work, and by extension to the built environment. In theory, this translates into more considered and intentional decision-making around what to buy, engage with, or bring into fruition.

Emerging Designers Showcase carries that same DNA. With the show we’re offering a way to get the inside story on a project, to get to know the human(s) who were driven to create it and why, and a way to invest in their success, foster community, and celebrate creativity.

It’s like cardiac health; an industry that invests in cultivating the next generation of up-and-coming designers, as well as allows itself to be challenged and changed by new ideas, will always have a strong heart pumping fresh blood to keep the whole system vital, vigorous, and resilient.

Visit cleverpodcast.com

Judges deliberating for the Emerging Designers Showcase and Best of Launch Pad Winners

Judges deliberating for the Emerging Designers Showcase and Best of Launch Pad Winners, photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography From left: Andrea Cesarman, Martin Clausen, Jean-Jacques L’henaff, Amy Devers, Giulio Cappellini, William Hanley

Thank you to our Best of Launch Pad Jury Members:

Giulio Cappellini, Creative Director, Cappellini
Andrea Cesarman, Curator, Co-founder, Design Week Mexico and Partner at C Cúbica Arquitectos
Martin Clausen, Curator, Co-founder & Creative Director, Adorno
Amy Devers, Exec. Producer and Host, Clever
William Hanley, Editor in Chief, Dwell
Jean-Jacques L’henaff, Leader, LIXIL Global Design, Americas
Launch Pad is sponsored by American Standard and presented with Dwell and WantedDesign

And Thank You to our Industry Pros who participated in the Emerging Designers Showcase:

Gabriel Chiave, Founder & Creative Director, controvento
Chay Costello, Associate Director of Merchandising and Product Development at The Museum of Modern Art
Shant Madjarian, Founder, Juniper

Read more about our Industry Pros

The Emerging Designers Showcase will return next year, Save the date for ICFF 2026, May 17-19.

 

More from ICFF:
Designer Profile: Matthew Goodrich
Brand Spotlight: Vestre

 

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