Design lovers rejoice! This year, for the first time ever, three major design fairs and trade shows will be happening simultaneously in New York City. Salon Art + Design runs from November 4th through the 8th at the Park Avenue Armory; BDNY takes over the Javitz Center on November 8th and 9th; and then you can visit the Collectible Design Fair from November 6 to November 8, with a VIP preview on November 5.
The serendipitous timing is thanks to a shift in scheduling for the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF), the largest furniture trade show, which typically anchors NYCxDesign week in May. This year, however, they announced they were pivoting to a November showing prompting other design shows to follow suit.
Even for seasoned design aficionados, it’s a packed schedule and I was curious how to make the most of so many fantastic shows packed into so little time. Few people are more well positioned to offer advice on how to navigate what promises to be a booming few days than Angharad Coates, the President of the Female Design Council, which is the leading professional membership network and advocacy organization for women in design, architecture, and the applied arts.
Inclusive By Design
As president Coates oversees the FDC’s myriad initiatives including mentorship programs, digital and live programming, and other professional development opportunities, all with the goal of making the design industry more equitable and inclusive. “I was always drawn to the world of design,” she tells me. Coates began her career in fashion, working for legendary couturier Ralph Rucci, before moving on to designers and studios like threeasFOUR and Barbara Tfank. Soon after, she transitioned to the art world, where she spent six years at the New York Academy of Art before moving into design.
Under her leadership, the FDC is home to hundreds of women in the field of design, “from gallerists, architects, fair directors and interior designers to museum curators, brand founders, journalists and publicists,” she says. “Our membership includes artists and makers ranging from textile designers, woodworkers, ceramicists, sculptors, furniture makers, glassblowers, jewelry designers and more.” All members are given access to the FDC’s high-level networking and promotional opportunities; additionally the FDC facilitates regular exhibitions and an acclaimed grant program for women designers of color.
“I joined the Female Design Council over two years ago to lead strategy, creative vision and organizational growth, and since I joined, we’ve tripled membership, massively expanded program offerings and forged new partnerships with design fairs and foundations,” she tells me.
Work by Female Design Council member Brianna Love, will be shown at Collectible Design Fair
An Expert Itinerary
Each of the three upcoming fairs serves a unique person, she says. “Salon Art + Design is an exquisite showcase of major European and American design galleries, with jaw dropping works of art and collectible design on display for collectors in one of New York’s architectural masterpieces. Collectible is an exciting exploration of new up-and-coming contemporary designs, curators and galleries in a funky repurposed space. And BDNY is a mega trade show for hospitality design.”
In addition the these major shows, Coates says there will be a number of pop ups, satellite happenings, and gallery exhibitions taking place at the same time. “In addition, Art Week New York will take place November 11-14, so it’s essentially two weeks of amazing things to see.” Both on and offsite, FDC’s members are well represented among those showing, too. “Personally, we have over 20 FDC members showing at fairs or offsite over the 4 days, so I will spend a lot of my time out supporting members and visiting their exhibitions and installations,” she says.
Unless, like Coates, you’re a seasoned member of the design community or a regular attendee of these events, it will likely seem overwhelming. But she has the inside scoop. When it comes to logistics, she first points out that if you’re planning to attend anything at the Javitz, three words: have a plan. “It’s a convention center and it’s absolutely enormous,” she says. “The best way to tackle it is knowing what you want to see in advance, and going to that booth directly. You will see a ton just by making your way to your destination.”
Work by Female Design Council member Crina Arghirescu-Rogard , will be shown at Collectible Design Fair
Remember too, that BDNY is a trade show, and less oriented towards casual collectors; Salon Art + Design and Collectible are more well suited for members of the general public who want to walk through and browse. “Salon also takes place in the Park Avenue Armory, which is one of the 19th century jewels of New York architecture and a destination unto itself,” she says. “Salon always decorates the grand entrance of the Armory, and this year FDC member Courtney McLeod will transform it with a floral-themed installation called ‘Impossible Blooms.'”
Coates says even as a pro, she often plans to pace herself only to be swept up in everything there is to see; “I always end up with my pedometer telling me I’ve logged 20,000 steps a day,” she says. So what are the must-see exhibitions on her personal itinerary? “I personally can’t wait to see Constantin Brancusi at MoMA and the Frick Collections exhibition of 15th century Italian bronze sculpture,” she says. “One of my favorite galleries is Salon 94, and they’re opening an exhibition of works by the incredible female sculptor Karon Davis in conjunction with the fairs on November 5th, which I can’t wait to see. The gallery is located in a spectacular townhouse on 89th Street right near Museum Mile.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com