I spent the last few days browsing NYNOW (formerly the New York International Gift Fair) looking for inspiring lines and partnerships for Object. This year is a huge brand image change, according to the NYNOW.com site:
The summer 2013 market introduced four new comprehensive market collections and a dynamic new exhibit floor layout, positioning New York as the defining marketplace for fashion-forward, design-driven home, gift and lifestyle resources. The show’s transformation also includes new branding, as NYIGF becomes “NY NOW, the Market for Home + Lifestyle.”
The show’s reorganization into four collections – HOME, LIFESTYLE, HANDMADE and NEW – and the repositioning of related resources not only reinforces the depth and breadth of resources in the New York market, but also better reflects the way retailers are shopping and sourcing today.
The show has been very successful for Object, as we are now carrying a few additional lines – all of which I was very impressed by the quality, craftsmanship, and ethics of the businesses. Most of the items I reviewed for retail are made by small companies with great care and attention to detail. Some of these notable brands are Gladee, Uncle Goose, Areaware, Jix, and Kid O.
Gladee (L), Marna (R)
There was a lot of interesting display: Big and architecturally commanding to minimal material effort but very clever. All great inspiration for your store, home or your next installation.
Overall, I’ve enjoyed this shows more design object oriented and purposeful/responsible product based approach to some of the other trade shows. The Toy industry could learn a lot from NY NOW. And it’s easy to see why more than a few brands indicated they were doing this show over Toy Fair, or in addition to it. If you’re skeptical as a buyer: most vendors only require you to meet a case pack minimum, not a financial minimum. With cases of 6 to 12 items being under $50 While some did have monetary minimums, they were very reasonable: around $100-$300.
Japan Pavillion (R), Noguchi Meiko (R)
As a retailer I felt relieved at the much more relaxed atmosphere. It may have been the nature of the brands I seek out, as I look for Design focused products of exceptional quality in aesthetics and ethics – and they either ARE toys, or the design is informed strongly by toys. Brands like Design Ideas and Uncle Goose were staffed by the very same people that designed and produce their products. Very different interactions and experiences than the very few hired talking heads I encountered.
NY NOW has evolved it’s show, and hopefully the website and show guide book get there too! (Please see capsules great Catalog, or Agenda… seriously.)
I’m looking forward to comparing it to Toy Fair.
Tomorrow is the last day: February 6th, 2014, 9AM – 2PM
