Direct from Market: New York
By Bessie Nestoras, Meredith Schwartz and Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 2/3/2010 11:49:00 AM
The New York International Gift Fair, held January 30–February 4, got off to a good start. The biggest news coming out of the fair is the upcoming reorganization, coinciding with the renovation and expansion of the Javits
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Center, to be completed in 2013. The fair will be reorganized into four divisions: Home, Lifestyle, Handmade and New York’s Newest. Click here for the full story.
But while looking to the future, the present was bustling: Pier 94 and the Handmade sections of the show opened on Saturday and traffic was steady. At times it was a little difficult to get down the aisles. Every vendor we spoke to reported strong sales on Sunday and Monday, continuing the upward trajectory seen at all of this winter's major markets.
Trend Watch
Many of the trends spotted throughout the winter market season could be seen in New York as well. Nautical themes and turquoise were both prevalent at the show. The map trend we spotted in Chicago took a New York twist with gifts based on New York City transit maps, including pop out flip-flops from Walk On Map and everything from mini maps to mousepads, posters and even tape at ZeroPerZero. Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, Barcelona and Hokkaido also available. Meanwhile the tattoo trend has spread to candles from Xela Aroma.
Another trend spotted throughout the markets was robots, here joined by retro-looking rockets. They appeared
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| Museum of Robots |
on kids’ accordion fold books from Hello Hanna; colorful wall hangings from Colecanth; “porcelain cult items” from Seletti, recycled robot clocks and bottle openers from Rep-Air, and of course Museum of Robots, which has expanded its repertoire into shiny metal, debuting not only aluminum rocket salt and papers but a unique modern modular candlestick.
Bath & Body
At ExTracts organic, natural and eco-friendly continue their domination of the category. Standout examples include Canopy Infusion, a botanical leaf diffuser from Pairfum (Abound Inc.); Munio candles made from Latvian recycled jam jars; and organic soy nail polish remover from Karma Organic Spa.
Also hot in personal care were solid balms and fragrances, perhaps inspired by the difficulty of flying with liquids nowadays. The standout offerings were two hybrids of jewelry and personal perfume with candles, or at least wax: D.L. & Co., known for its elegantly gothic designs, offered pocket watch-look pieces filled with solid scent, while Joya, also a candle company, offered necklaces containing a similar solid perfume.
Juliska also expanded into a new category: bath accessories. The company introduced its first bath collection at this winter market.
Kids
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| Opening of Baby & Kids show at 7 W |
Plush, usually confined to the Just Kidstuff aisles and Handmade, made a surprise appearance in Accent on Design. A new company, Tedde, featured multiple designers’ interpretations of the archetypal Teddy Bear, while MollaSpace introduced the NonLife Zoo, the cutest guilt trip you’ll ever meet, featuring wild animals with skull faces to draw attention to the plight of endangered creatures around the world.
Memorable first time exhibitors included Beetling, which makes giant 3D artwork of
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| Jonathan Adler Junior |
everything from dinosaurs to crowns to astronauts to attach to the walls of kids’ rooms; Oomfy, whose line of eco-friendly plush is based on real rescued wild animals in South Africa and stuffed with organic bamboo; and Firefly reflectors, which take the need for walkers, runners and bikers to stand out to passing cars and turn them into decorative bag hangers and bracelets which any kid, and many adults, would be proud to wear. Other fun finds for kids included Little MissMatched's multicolored soccer balls, and Wry Baby's pirate bath wrap.
Jonathan Adler has expanded his happy world to include a new children’s collection. Jonathan Adler Junior is a natural extension of the line, since his designs are so youthful and fun already. The new collection includes furniture, wallpaper, textiles, lamps, rugs and other decorative accessories.
Baby goods were very much in evidence. Oh Plah! is a fashion accessory that is also a teether for baby. Oh Plah! Is a soft, safe colorful plastic cuff bracelet for mom to wear and baby to teeth on. And Edoche introduced Baby Champagne, a perfect way to celebrate a new baby. Baby items are packaged in a very giftable champagne bottle.
At 7 West's inaugural Baby & Kids Fair on the 11th floor, product offerings spanned a wide gamut of
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| Boon |
everything for the smaller set, from furniture to apparel to toys. Particularly notable was Boon, a company offering bath, feeding, storage and organization and décor for babies that combine baby-friendly bright colors and ergonomic shapes with design-forward styles compatible with modern décor. The most unusual find was probably Mimijumi's baby bottle: made of BPA-free plastic, its most distinctive feature is a nipple made to resemble a breast, to help babies switch between them or get weaned.
And kids aren't just consuming products, they're also creating them, especially for charity. Vance Kitira has expanded its line of cards drawn by children at the Rangsit Orphanage in Thailand to include candles featuring the artwork. Proceeds from the cards benefit the orphanage. Meanwhile celebrity Robin Givens introduced a new line called Laugh, Linger, Love, with card artwork drawn by her son Billy. Profits go to charity Children Feeding Children.
Blissliving Home introduced four new bedding collections this market, including Chang Mai, its first children’s bed ensemble. The company held a nation wide competition – Bliss Kids Art Festival – for students to create a design that would then be used in an upcoming bedding line. There were about 200 submissions and the winning design came from 11 year-old Aria Curameng from Fort Washington, MD.
For the Fashionista
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| Molly M Designs |
There was a wide selection of unique jewelry this market. The Paz Collective offers sterling silver jewelry handmade in Mexico by various local artists. Molly M Designs is a collection of laser-cut wood jewelry by Molly McGrath. McGrath is an architect and her architectural influence can be seen in her designs. The designer also offers wall art made using the same process. If something a little edgier is what you’re looking for, Imooi offers a line of contemporary accessories combining different media, including wood, acrylic and rubber. The designs are created by Anna Chan.
Girls will love Engler Glass’ make up brushes. The brushes feature solid glass handles make a nice gift for a fashionista. The collection also includes letter openers and coasters. The pieces are all handmade in the U.S.A. in Ohio.
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| Apple & Bee |
Forgotten Shanghai offered a wide selection of accessories made in silk, including a collection of jewelry rolls, make up bags and fortune cookies available in two sizes. The cookies come in a variety of patterns and can hold little gifts, such as chocolates or jewelry, or be used as place card holders. They’re big hits with the bridal market, as they are used for bridal shower favors.
Apple & Bee has introduced a new collection of embroidered bags this market. The purses feature a floral motif
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| Bagatella |
and have a handcrafted feel.
The company that brought you Twist and Pout lip balm is now offering a selection of fun pick-me-ups. Bagatella features a selection of lock charms, mirror compacts, handbag hangers and pill boxes in very feminine designs, and all adorned with crystals.
For the Home
In Handmade, Smartglass recycled jewelry made from beer bottles is branching out into lighting design featuring chains of recycled glass in wall mount boxes and circular shades. Also notable was Tokens and Icons – long known for making jewelry from small bits of the past such as typewriter keys or coins, the company is now going bigger and boyish with home décor made out of real hockey sticks, baseballs, golf clubs and more. They combine authenticity with style for a look any husband and wife can agree on.
Jamie Young Company finds inspiration in vintage looks this market. The Steam Punk collection includes a table that has a crank that allows you to adjust the height of the table. The company is also introducing a selection of back packs and rucksacks.
Still Life takes real leaves and transforms them into ornaments and jewelry. Each piece takes six hours to create. The finished product has an earthy, yet elegant quality.
Mayfair Lane has taken magnets to the next level. The company offers a selection of clips that can stick onto any surface that magnets can’t stick to, including the wall, wood and stainless steel. The material used doesn’t leave a residue and can be used over and over. Also included in the line are notepads, frames and whiteboards. And they’re not only functional: The products feature contemporary designs, giving them a stylish edge.
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| Wooly Pocket Garden Company |
Bring the outdoors in in a unique way with the Wooly Pocket from the Wooly Pocket Garden Company. The containers are made from 100 percent recycled plastic bottles and can be hung on the wall. Just add the dirt and the plants and you’ve got a garden in the living room. The wool containers are also available as pots.
For add-on sales, cross merchandise these or other pots with Strong Marketing’s SeedBallz, small balls of clay that hold the equivalent of eight packets of flower seeds. Just place them in the garden and as the rain or watering softens and melts the clay, the seeds can sprout and grow.
Laurent Trade & Design has taken over Sud & Company’s lines and are now offering the company’s tabletop designs.
Arte Italica introduced Palazzo, a collection of oversized decorative accessories done in white with gold chain accents. Gold accents seem to be a trend at the New York market. Kita also introduced new gold leather accessories, including belts and cuffs. And gold was also spotted at Jonathan Adler booth. The new Futura collection featured a white base and gold accents.
The Richard Cohen Collection is now representing Le Cadeaux. The company offers a selection of melamine dinnerware and accessories.
Isadora & Mizrahi brought a few new lines to the showroom, including Treska, a handbag collection; The
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| Suki Cheema |
Playful Chef, a children’s collection of real kitchen tools and Ecco Glass from Brazil.
Suburban Silk is now Sub Urban. The home accents, travel accessories and stationery company is now made up of four brand names: T-11, Jax + Jack, Crox and Urban Invite.
Spruce is a new company exhibiting at the New York market for the first time. The company offers a selection of decorative accessories for the wholesale and retail markets. The line includes everything from oversized decorative art pieces to diffusers and glass vases.
Fringe, Punch Studio, Murval and the San Diego Hat Company can now be found in The Mary Harper Group showroom in 7 W.
Suki Cheema made his debut at the NYIGF and presented his first collection of pillows, throws and other textiles. Suki Cheema, a textile designer for Diane von Furstenberg, was inspired to create his own home textile line during a trip to India. The patterns, inspired by Indian design, are chic and contemporary and layered with intricate threadwork and beautiful detail.
Green to Go
“Brown bagging” it seems to be growing in vogue as green awareness continues to grow. Aladdin, known primarily for its thermal bottles, and Fluf were among those exhibitors showcasing chic ways to carry lunch. Fluf’s canvas lunch tote is made of organic fabric and the word “lunch” is simply printed on the outside with biodegradable dyes. Aladdin’s lunch set consists of a collection of small recycled and recyclable plastic containers and a tote. The containers are microwave and dishwasher safe.
Reisenthel introduced several new patterns, as well as a new shape, in its totes. The Loop shopper can be used for grocery shopping or a picnic, all while looking very stylish. It is available in five colors.
We all take paper for granted, even though in some areas of the world it is not available in abundance. In an effort to provide children in impoverished countries with paper for learning and creating, EcoJot/Mirage Paper Company, one of the first exhibitors to earn the NYIGF’s Sustainability3 designation, has committed to a program of giving: “Buy one, we give one.” For every EcoJot journal, jumbo journal or sketchbook purchased, the company will donate one to children in need of school supplies. The company has partnered with three different charitable organizations to help make this happen.
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Direct from Market: New York
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Direct from Market: Atlanta
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