ICFF 2011


Precision as a theme was apparent at this year’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair, most notably in the Chassis Chair by Stefan Diez for Wilkhahn, a beautifully innovative tour de force of design and engineering—metal formed like a German luxury car, construction as tight and precise as a made-to-measure suit. Similar crisp lines and construction define the W101, an LED lamp made of formed biodegradable paper and designed by Claesson Koivisto Rune in collaboration with lighting manufacturer Wästberg and forestry group Södra. Paper sheets are sandwiched and interleaved with electronics before being molded into the elegant and simple form.

Rich Brilliant Willing collaborated with Partners & Spade on Delta, a series of traditionally-made but highly structured lampshades inspired by propulsion systems and rooftop vents. Across Great Jones Street at the American Design Building, Sight Unseen organized McMasterpieces, a group show taking its name from the legendary McMaster-Carr supply catalogue. Premised around the idea of utilizing industrial components from the catalogue as design elements, various machine parts and materials were transformed by designers including David Weeks, Kiel Mead, and Cmmnwlth. The American Design Club presented “Use Me,” an exhibition of forty-five young American designers’ work celebrating function and purpose, highlighting objects designed to do accomplish one task perfectly.

Veteran furniture designer-turned-apparel designer Ross Menuez celebrated the opening of his first Salvor Projects retail store-cum-laboratory, designed in collaboration with partner Nick Dine. Seemingly hewn out of a single material, the seamless slate-grey geometric interior is flawless in its construction and singular in its materiality. Floors, walls, coat hangers—everything in the store is made from waxed MDF, an environment providing perfect juxtaposition to the bright prints that define his bags, scarves, shirts, pants, and dresses.

The ICFF is open to the trade through May 16 and open to the trade and public on Tuesday May 17.

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