INDUSTRY RELATED: NYCxDESIGN Prepper's Guide, Part Deux
Journalist selected, Alpha Kilo approved
Industry Related is a weekly newsletter to unmask and straight-talk brand comms, from a multi-national, award-winning team that's worked with Airbnb, Diageo, The Eames Institute, Kartell, Harry's, iF Design, and Savile Row, to name just a few.
Amy reporting here today from London, where we’re headed into a BEAUTIFUL day at 75F/24C. Quite a few from Alpha Kilo London will be coming in strong today to support our New York office with the plethora of design events we have over the next 8 days. I’ll be headed out tomorrow after hitting as many London Craft Week events as possible in an evening. 🫠
I’m not sure what it says about our British team, but when given the option of staying anywhere within easy commute of our events, they chose the Margaritaville Resort Times Square, much to the shock and horror of their American A-K compatriots. I love it. It’s such a perfectly tacky counterpoint to the beauty we will see all around us this week; a reminder of how lucky we are to work in this industry. Also, let’s face it, easy access to refillable margaritas in a commemorative cup is no bad thing during a stressful week. We welcome you, dear Relatives, to join us there!
AS ALWAYS, DON’T JUST TAKE IT FROM US
Three of our favourite, most tapped-in, intelligent, and thoughtful journos have kindly taken the time to bring your what they’re looking forward to seeing this week. Get your pen ready!
Tiffany Jow, Editor-in-Chief, Untapped Journal
I'm looking forward to seeing "A Place I Biked Past Once," a performance created by designer Nifemi Ogunro and others that is taking place on May 18 in Brooklyn's Naval Cemetery Landscape. Nifemi is also part of "Innerwoven," an installation at The Standard East Village by Of the Cloth that is presenting pieces by four incredible women. The show's art direction, by Justin Fulton, is so good, with typewriter copy and black-and-white photos on what looks like coffee-stained paper.
At Radio Star, in Greenpoint, I'm eager to see "Forced Perspective," a two-day group show of collectible designs curated by Kiki Goti, Caleb Ferris, NJ Roseti, and Vincent Staropoli. And designer Henry Julier is debuting his first piece for USM at Shelter, the new alternative to ICFF, which is a big departure for the brand in terms of the product: It's seating -- not storage -- that uses the brand's classic framework.
Adrian Madlener, Freelance
As another “bigger and better” New York Design Week (NYCxDesign) begins, it’s clear that the industry is holding strong in our increasingly troubled times. The creative fervor of independent practitioners and established brands alike reveals a level of scrappy resilience centered on a growing sentiment of honesty and agile interdisciplinary. I’m particularly interested, as always, in seeing how New York’s ever-maturing design scene—unfolding mostly through a series of thematic group shows—is innovating: exploring new types of material experimentation, formal application, and how objects are being reconfigured to address our changing needs. Style is also important but perhaps only to a certain degree; a means to communicating intent.
Sam Weiss Hills, Domino
I can't wait to see Josh Greene's line of furniture for Lawson Fenning in person. And I always get excited to walk around the independent design show JONALDDUDD, and to see Lee Broom's works, especially since this year he's exhibiting new lighting alongside Calico Wallpaper's latest collection. A few other presentations I am looking forward to: Bower Studios and Emily Mullin at the new Mociun and Bower showroom; Emily Thurman Studio's first line furniture and lighting; Juntos Projects at Assembly Line; and Bossa Furniture's show on Brazilian furniture designer Joaquim Tenreiro.
NB: I'm going to miss the Mercer Street Block Party, but damn, it looks fun! I am very here for a little levity when it comes to design, and BDDW's " Big Dave's Mountain Hunt", Orior's commitment to its heritage by serving Guinness and oysters at its open house, and Sight Unseen and Petra's latest showcase at Host on Howard all remind me to loosen my tie. Let's unserious ourselves.
A FEW MORE FROM ALPHA KILO…
1. Design Pavilion 2025: Design is for Everyone
The Design Pavilion is back across several public spaces around Manhattan, with installations and experiences aimed at making design feel accessible, not exclusive. Big themes this year around sustainability and design for social impact - a good reminder (like our Margaritaville stay) that design is not just about aesthetics, but about agency. Always a good place to see design students mixing with tourists, and where the most surprising conversations often happen.
2. Antoni Gaudí by Casa Valle and BD Barcelona
What happens when you cross Spanish surrealism with downtown cool? This reimagining of Antoni Gaudí’s furniture by BD Barcelona and Giancarlo Valle. Hosted at Valle’s own studio, it’s part revival, part reinvention. Bonus: Gaudí’s apparently on track to be canonized, so one could say this chair is literally made for a Saint.
3. Still Growing by Amelie du Chalard x Emily Marant
Nature, but make it collectible. This quietly excellent group show in SoHo explores the shifting relationship between design and the natural world—minus the mossy clichés. Expect thoughtful, tactile work from names like Jack Simonds and Luke Malaney.
Thanks so much for being our loyal subscribers! Looking forward to seeing many of our brilliant Relatives in NYC this week! Hit us up on the ground for TIPS and invites, comments and critiques. We are HERE FOR IT.
With love from Alpha Kilo