the Designer Pages blog

Last night Designer Pages partner crime Winston and I headed over to the New York Design Center’s 5th Annual “First Look”, a small but energetic showcase of new product that Winston now calls “Mini-Con” (extremely hilarious given the extreme difference in size between the Merchandise Mart, host of the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair, and the NYDC). While the promotional Vespa raffle may have been part of the initial attraction in luring us across town after work hours, there was indeed enough hot design to keep us circulating among the floors for more than a New York minute. Notable encounters included first time introduction to industrial designer Brad Ascalon who works with the likes of Hightower, Ligne Roset, Brooklyn-based Naula Workshop and Chinese manufacturer Domaine. Ascalan was present last night in Hightower’s showroom to answer questions about his new Martini collection, a cost-conscious but equally stylish series of tables and stools that all employ the same shaped base but with different, interchangeable tops. Brad’s also a pretty cool dude to boot.

Also worth mention was a brief visit to the Architex showroom, purveyor of bold and graphic contract textiles. Winston and I were particularly enamored with a clever pattern called “Where’s Walter”, a fabric line covered in infinite and intricate floor plans and as you would see them in CAD and one that is named after its designer, a fellow named Walter.

I doubt either one of us is going to win the Vespa but it was definitely a worthwhile trip in spite of this. During a noticeable lull taking place right now in between major design shows, this is good place to get a quick fix of design eye candy.