WHITE PLAINS, NY, February 14, 2014… Designers, artisans and manufacturers new to the wholesale market are invited to submit applications for three juried design sections and two special design incubator showcases presented at NY NOW™, the Market for Home + Lifestyle (formerly NYIGF®). Applications for the summer 2014 edition, which runs August 16 – 20, 2014, in New York City, are available online at www.nynow.com/apply.
“NY NOW is committed to identifying and showcasing leading-edge and emerging design talents though these juried sections,” said Christian Falkenberg, NY NOW director and GLM senior vice president. ”Both Accent on Design – presented as part of NY NOW’s HOME Collection – and NY NOW’s HANDMADE Collection – with its Designer Maker and Global Design sections – bring innovative ideas and products to the marketplace.”
Accent on Design®
With its juried collection of 150+ contemporary designers, Accent on Design® has been the industry’s foremost resource for design-led home and lifestyle merchandise for nearly 30 years. Criteria for acceptance by the Accent on Design Selection Committee include: original, creative and authentic product design; new and innovative use of materials; products which address and solve problems; consistent and continuous new product creations; a focus on contemporary design (as perceived by the jury); and functionality. Accent on Design applications will be accepted through Friday, March 14, 2014. The online form is available at www.nynow.com/apply.
A+: The Young Designers’ Platform
Within Accent on Design, A+ introduces the work of emerging designers, selected on the basis of design concept, creativity and originality. A+ provides emerging designers an exclusive opportunity to expose their concepts, prototypes and finished products to the wholesale marketplace. Applications for A+ will be accepted only from design students, recent graduates and young companies in business for one year or less. Designers will be juried by the Accent on Design Selection Committee based on design concept, creativity and originality. A+ applications will be accepted through Friday, June 20. The online form is available at www.nynow.com/Aplus.
HANDMADE®
For nearly 30 years, HANDMADE® has offered buyers an extensive selection of handcrafted items across such categories as tabletop, ceramics, textiles, home décor, jewelry and apparel. HANDMADE is presented in two distinct categories: Designer Maker, which showcases 340 limited-production makers across all categories and media, and Global Design, which presents a selection of 135 international craft resources with a focus on strong design blended with traditional techniques and quality workmanship. Criteria for acceptance by the juries include uniqueness, originality, authenticity, and marketability. HANDMADE applications will be accepted through Friday, March 14, 2014. The online form is available at www.nynow.com/apply.
Emerging Makers
Emerging Makers, located within HANDMADE Designer Maker, introduces the work of emerging craft designers and makers, selected on the basis of unique and original work, authentic design and quality craftsmanship. As a showcase for new resources, Emerging Makers provides an exclusive opportunity for makers to debut a selection of their products to the wholesale marketplace. Applications will be accepted from students and recent graduates in business for one year or less; or artisans entering the wholesale marketplace for the first time. Applicants will be juried by the HANDMADE Designer Maker Selection Committee based on design concept, creativity and originality. Emerging Designer Maker Platform applications will be accepted through Friday, June 20. The online form is available at www.nynow.com/EDMP.
The summer 2014 edition of NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle, will run Saturday, August 16 through Wednesday, August 20, 2014, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center and Passenger Ship Terminal Pier 94. NY NOW’s four comprehensive collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW! – will encompass 100,000 products in 400+ product categories. Some 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 80 countries worldwide are expected. Information and registration is available online at www.nynow.com.