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Words by: ICFF June 05, 2025

In an era where design is often commodified and replicated without attribution, Be Original Americas brings forward an urgent conversation about originality in design. In their “Original Thinkers” panel, industry pioneers Jaime Derringer (TRAME), Stephanie Forsythe (molo), and John Christakos (Blu Dot) explored the tensions between creativity, commercial success, and ethical production.

Moderated by Thomas Krizmanic, Principal at Gensler, the panel offered a candid look into the creative and operational lives of those who shape the future of design.

A crowd looks on at ICFF 2025 during the Original Thinkers Talk (from left: Tom Krizmanic, Jaimie Derringer, Stephanie Forsythe, John Christakos) (photo credit: Jenna Basom photography)

A crowd looks on at ICFF 2025 during the Original Thinkers Talk (from left: Tom Krizmanic, Jaimie Derringer, Stephanie Forsythe, John Christakos)

Each panelist brought a unique origin story, united by a shared resistance to traditional paths. Jaime Derringer’s trajectory—founder of the blog-turned-brand Design Milk and later TRAME—reflects a restless curiosity and a penchant for experimentation that confused her parents but defined her vision. “I’ve always had jobs that are impossible to explain,” she said, proudly.

Stephanie Forsythe’s journey began with folding paper in a small Vancouver apartment, a practice that evolved into molo’s globally celebrated soft architectural products. “We underestimated paper,” she admitted, “but when the light hit it and we heard it rustle, we knew we had something magical.”

John Christakos, co-founder of Blu Dot, traced his design entrepreneurship back to a time when mid-priced modern furniture barely existed. “We wanted to democratize design,” he said. “It might’ve been original. Or just naive. Or both.”

molo's ICFF 2025 Booth (photo credit Jenna Bascom Photography)

A running theme through the conversation was how each thinker balances artistic integrity with business realities. Derringer emphasized the collaborative nature of her projects at TRAME: technologists, artisans, and designers work together to create pieces that are both digitally innovative and deeply tactile.

Forsythe echoed this, explaining that while molo’s pieces are emotionally resonant, every detail is functionally scrutinized: “We obsess over purpose, but the goal is always that the emotive quality transcends.”

Christakos offered a more systemic lens, describing Blu Dot’s weekly design reviews, open collaboration, and the need for a carefully curated product line. “We don’t want 80 sofas. We want 15 good ones.”

From left: Tom Krizmanic, Jaimie Derringer, Stephanie Forsythe, John Christakos (photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography)

The panel didn’t shy away from the thorny issue of knockoffs. Christakos shared a tale of legal confrontation with a major retailer, while Forsythe recounted seeing her own face in product images on Alibaba. Derringer, by contrast, emphasized the ethical importance of working directly with craftspeople to amplify—not replace—traditional methods.

“We’re empowering artisans with tech,” she said. “Not erasing them.”

A crowd looks on at ICFF 2025 during the Original Thinkers Talk (from left: Tom Krizmanic, Jaimie Derringer, Stephanie Forsythe, John Christakos)

Despite vastly different business models, all three speakers highlighted the importance of collaboration and clear creative rituals. Whether it was Christakos’s Thursday design reviews, Forsythe’s four-day work week emphasizing time outdoors, or Derringer’s journey from solo blogger to global design leader, the message was clear: sustainable creativity requires community.

molo's Booth at ICFF 2025, (photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography)

When asked by a student how to navigate the fear that “everything’s already been done,” the panelists offered encouraging insights.

“Just start,” advised Christakos. “You don’t need to know the whole path.”

Forsythe emphasized process over perfection: “Designing a business is itself a creative act.”

And Derringer, ever the polymath, reminded us of the joy in juggling multiple creative outlets: “Close the laptop sometimes. It actually makes you better.”

From left: Tom Krizmanic, Jaimie Derringer, Stephanie Forsythe, John Christakos (photo credit: Jenna Bascom Photography)

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