ICFF 2024 featured highlights like the Bespoke: The Art of Making section, the launch of Reishi mycelium-made material, and a spotlight on Brazilian craftsmanship, alongside Dumæ’s “Les Femmes” collection, epitomizing luxury, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
May 19 – 21, 2024—The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is North America’s premier platform for contemporary furnishing design, renowned for its focus on original and sustainable innovation. This year’s event in New York City brought together over 450 established and emerging design brands from more than 35 countries, presenting a diverse array of categories including furniture, lighting, seating, outdoor furniture, contract furniture, kitchen and bath, wallcoverings, textiles, carpets and flooring, and materials. Attendees at ICFF experienced cutting-edge designs on the show floor and gained valuable insights through ICFF Talks led by some of the most iconic figures in the industry.
In this article, we’ll delve into key highlights from ICFF 2024, including the celebration of artisanal craftsmanship, the introduction of innovative materials like Reishi, the spotlight on Brazilian design, and the unveiling of Dumæ’s “Les Femmes” collection, showcasing luxury, craftsmanship, and sustainability.
Bespoke: The Art of Making – Celebrating Artisanal Excellence
A new addition to this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), Bespoke: The Art of Making showcased the exceptional skill of high-end artisans. Presented with design-industry resource AD PRO, this feature emphasized unique techniques in creating handmade furnishings, textiles, and architectural finishes. It highlighted custom pieces and offered behind-the-scenes insights into the makers’ processes. At the heart of the section was the Bespoke Salon, designed by MA | Morris Adjmi Architects, ICFF Designer of the Year 2023. Inspired by a classic Parisian drawing room, the salon featured elegant partition walls, custom furnishings, and a self-playing piano from Steinway & Sons, creating a rich sensory experience.
Daily programming in the Salon included morning events by AD PRO and afternoon talks by Bespoke exhibitors. Notable exhibitors included Invisible Collection, Atelier Viollet, Steven Leprizé – Arca Ebenisterie, and Pascale Girardin, among others. Highlights featured the Squama sideboard by Arca Ebenisterie and WonderGlass bricks. These exhibitors provided a comprehensive look at the forefront of artisanal craftsmanship, making Bespoke: The Art of Making a standout feature of this year’s ICFF.
Ligne Roset to Launch New Series in Reishi, the New Mycelium-made Material
Created using mycelium, Reishi featured the strength and feel of premium leather, standing out from other plant-based options. MycoWorks developed Fine Mycelium technology to grow the material in trays, customizing its thickness and surface attributes. The harvested sheets were finished in tanneries like regular leather.
Heritage tanneries in Europe used MycoWorks’ chrome-free tanning and dyeing technologies to finish Reishi, available in three textures: Natural, Doux, and Pebble. Fire-resistant and anti-bacterial, the material could also be made water-repellent. Reishi’s roots are traced back to the 90s when artist and MycoWorks co-founder Philip Ross began cultivating mycelium for sculpture projects. Following the 2016 Venice Biennale, Ross developed the Fine Mycelium platform. Collaborations with luxury brands like Hermes and YUME YUME followed, and a new facility in Union, South Carolina, enabled expansion into new industries. Investments from GM Ventures and partnerships with Ligne Roset highlighted Reishi as a revolutionary material, not just a leather replacement. The high-end French furniture company Ligne Roset plans to launch a series of products upholstered in Reishi.
Celebrating Brazilian Craftsmanship: Luxury and Elegance
Brazilian craftsmanship takes center stage at this year’s ICFF, where polished wood and rich leather infuse a sensual luxury into the showcased pieces. Intricately woven rope, particularly noticeable in the outdoor furniture, adds a tactile, handcrafted feel to the collection. Among the Brazilian exhibitors are renowned companies such as Bell’Arte, known for upholstered furnishings blending tradition and innovation, and Doimo, which prioritizes simplicity, creativity, and smart technology in their designs. Domum Interiors impresses with innovative luxury furniture blending native Brazilian woods with various materials like marble, granite, and metal. Feeling specializes in contemporary, aesthetically pleasing sofas, while Jader Almeida’s meticulously crafted furniture and lighting combine advanced production technologies with hand-finishing for exquisite details. Modalle’s luxury furniture, handmade and signed for longevity, and Ornare’s tradition of craftsmanship and customization in luxury furnishings further showcase the diversity and quality of Brazilian design at ICFF.
Dumæ’s “Les Femmes” Collection: Elevating Craftsmanship and Luxury
Dumæ, formerly known as Style Union Home, epitomizes luxury and craftsmanship with its new “les femmes” collection. Founded by Kym Gold, co-founder of True Religion, Dumæ brings serenity, nostalgia, and the essence of luxury to every living space through its handcrafted assortment of elevated tableware and artisanal accents. Born out of Kym’s passion for pottery making, Dumæ represents a fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern design sensibilities. The “les femmes” collection, showcased within the specially curated WANTED: Look Book section at ICFF 2024, embodies the celebration of women’s empowerment, family, and meaningful experiences. Each piece reflects thoughtful design and quality, serving as an anchor to lasting memories in any space.
Dumæ’s commitment to sustainability resonates throughout its production process, with a focus on re-using clay and sourcing all raw materials domestically. With a vision to remove all virgin plastic from its supply chain by 2025, Dumæ not only crafts exquisite pieces but also champions environmental responsibility. Founder and President Kym Gold’s presence at ICFF underscores Dumæ’s dedication to personal connections and the sharing of stories behind each creation. As Dumæ continues to evolve into a powerhouse brand, it remains a testament to Kym Gold’s entrepreneurial spirit and her pursuit of beauty in both design and life.
