NEW YORK DESIGN WEEK WITH A.LONDON_
GUIDES May 2022
Our Associate Designer, Lauren, has just returned from the Big Apple where she was lucky enough to attend both New York Design Week and Frieze New York. We sat down with Lauren to find out more about her trip, which exhibition had the biggest impact on her, as well as all the interior inspiration she saw.
“From the furniture and interiors at design week to the artwork at Frieze, there’s an explosion of colour and pattern.”
Can you tell us why you’ve been in New York this month?
This year marks the 10th anniversary of New York Design Week, which this year overlaps with Frieze New York. We went over to soak up the atmosphere, get some inspiration and see what’s going on in the global design world. We took the opportunity whilst we were there to meet some exciting new suppliers, as well as catch up with some of our international contacts.
What design inspiration have you taken away from the trip?
I think that after the lockdowns of the pandemic, people are prioritising joy in their life so much more. From the furniture and interiors at design week to the artwork at Frieze, there’s an explosion of colour and pattern. As someone who rejects all things beige and greige, this filled me with delight and excitement!
Along with colour, greenery and sustainability are trends which are going nowhere any time soon and it’s great to see more people embracing that and encouraging clients to really consider the output of their interiors. That could be the air purifying qualities of your indoor plants or a stunning table made out of recycled ocean waste, it’s a really exciting time to work in design.
Which exhibition had the biggest impact on you?
Each one was so different that I can’t pinpoint which had the biggest impact. Vasily Kandinsky has always been one of my favourite artists, and the Guggenheim, my favourite museum, so seeing such a vast collection of his work there was incredible.
The huge Louis Vuitton x Nike Air Force 1 collaboration, designed by the late Virgil Abloh, in Brooklyn Bridge Park, was amazing and so impressive. ICFF and Wanted Design showcased some amazing new furniture designers, but I especially loved trying my hand at watchmaking at Frieze with the luxury watch designer, Breguet.
Outside of the event, what was your favourite part about visiting New York?
I spent a lot of time in New York City when I was studying, so it feels like a second home to me. Much like London, New York is filled with so many individual neighbourhoods, all with unique traits, styles and characters. I love aimlessly walking the streets, stumbling into little local bars and restaurants you wouldn’t necessarily read about, or see tourists in.
However, speaking of tourists, we visited the new Summit at One Vanderbilt, and it was incredible. 3 floors of immersive experiences, finishing on the 93rd floor. We even braved standing in the glass floor box, which is cantilevered over the edge, terrifying but amazing. Seeing how much the skyline is changing from that height was incredible, and how much residential construction is being done throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn is very exciting indeed. Watch this space.
Going Global…
We are pleased to announce our sister brand Accouter is going global global with the addition of our new office across the pond in New York. We hope to meet new connections, whilst having a closer one with current relationships out there. Follow our Instagram to follow our international interior design journey!
You can now find us at:
1 Crosby Street, 3rd Floor,
New York,
NY 10013