Irish Designers Exhibiting At NY NOW
18th August 2015
23 of Ireland’s leading designers and craftspeople are currently exhibiting at NY NOW in New York, in celebration of Irish Design 2015 (ID2015), a year-long initiative backed by the Irish government promoting and celebrating Irish design.
NY NOW attracts over 25,000 retail buyers from all over the US each year. The trade fair will be a valuable opportunity for the Irish designers to develop relationships with leading US stores.
Ireland’s presence at NY NOW is a collaboration between Enterprise Ireland and DCCoI as part of Irish Design 2015. According to Hannah Webb, Vice President of Consumer Goods & Retail Technology, Enterprise Ireland: “NY NOW is a valuable route to the US market for Irish companies in the design and craft sectors, who have the ambition and capability to export. The international interest in Irish products is testament to the quality and strong design offer that Irish companies have for international buyers. We look forward to working with the exhibitors in supporting them as they develop their export capability in this extremely competitive market.”
Some of the exhibitors include:
1. Slated – Working with slate since the 18th century, the Hammond family utilised traditional values and techniques to roof the iconic churches and colleges of Ireland. In 2010, Tara (pictured) and Ed Hammond began to explore the diverse uses of Slate in the home and so, Slated was born. slated.ie
2. Hanna Hats – Founded in 1924 by David Hanna Snr, his granddaughters Eleanor and Amanda Jane Hanna are now at the helm. Hanna Hats of Donegal continue to create timeless tweed caps from the finest of Donegal Tweed. Every hat is assembled by hand at the factory in Donegal Town using locally woven tweeds including herringbone, hounds tooth, checks, plaids and salt-and-pepper weaves; all key elements in the signature patchwork caps, hats and bags. www.hannahats.com
3. The Handmade Soap Company – The Handmade Soap Company was founded in 2010 by Gemma McGowan and Donagh Quigley. Things have changed since the days in their cottage kitchen, ladling the ingredients themselves, until the early hours of the mornings. The Handmade Soap Company products can be found anywhere from Blarney Castle to Brazil. www.thehandmadesoapcompany.com
4. Chupi – Chupi is a multi-award winning jewellery brand founded in 2012 by former Topshop designer Chupi Sweetman-Durney. Irresistibly drawn to “wild and natural things” Chupi’s signature aesthetic is casting from real feathers and leaves, creating a delicate fine jewellery collection made for your inner magpie. Positioned in the affordable luxury market and export driven with fans around the world from Tokyo to London, everything is designed, manufactured and finished in Ireland. www.chupi.ie
For the full list of exhibitors and their products, visit the DCCoI’s website.
