NYIGF 2011 *Faves* Part One

Last week I walked the New York International Gift Fair. I had just one day to pick my favorites and here is part one for you to enjoy!

I LOVE DFC! I saw them for the 1st time at last year's show and I immediately wanted one of their big glitter unicorn head mounts for my apartment :) This year I had the chance to meet Mauricio Paniagua and Tony Moxham, the creative minds behind the line. They are incredibly nice and I'm always grateful to those brave souls who let me take their photo.

They met each other here in NYC and moved their business to Mexico City in 2005. In part, Mauricio shared, because of the cold wet winters we have here. Many exhibitors had to deal with canceled flights and delayed deliveries because of the snow this year.

Visit their DFCasa to see fabulous pieces and learn more about the company. I agree completely with their manifesto on the rose page!

Blue Q is another favorite of mine! They do an unparalleled job of combining ultra cute & kitsch with irreverent and funny. I own several of their bags, but don't yet have Michelle Obama on swing, probably should. Think I need one of these marshall marshmallow pouches for all my make-up and money, too ;)

Maybe they work? I love the weird old clock man is holding in Live Forever tea.

 more cuteness...

  
and some interesting names for Gum!

Hand sanitizer :) good to be clean...

I'm new to Fluffy below, but glad I came across their booth. The bottle openers caught my eye. Their pieces are clean and modern but with a nostalgic twist because of the imagery. It's all very appealing and many pieces are hand made.

  

Fluffy Co is a small and friendly company run out of San Francisco, committed to sustainability and working with small family run businesses. You can learn more about them here :)

 

I wrote about Poketo last year and I've included them in a few random posts about favorite things this year.

 Above, is Angie Myung. She and Ted Vadakan founded Poketo in 2003 in Los Angeles. They design limited edition art products, accessories, apparel & decor. Below, their beautiful new leather wallets and pouches.

I adore their colorful plastic covered wallets designed by a fun mix of artists including

                                Gary Baseman, Andrew Pommier, Lisa Congdon to name a few!

Read an interview with Angie and Ted in the latest issue of  Uppercase magazine and see more on their blog.

The Jonathan Adler Junior collection for kids couldn't be cuter!! It's vibrant, sleek and fun! What child (or adult) wouldn't want this plush fuschia chair with animal pillows? All looks perfect for the playroom in a penthouse :)

I intended to take a few photos of the Jonathan Adler booth for adult interiors, but it was just too busy when I stopped by. I took note of one of his popular quotes atop the display 

"Minimalism Breeds Pessimism" :)

Lifeguard Press licenses Adler's bright and bold patterned designs for their terrific lines of stationery, notebooks, luggage tags, ipad & iphone covers, water bottles and much more!

You may associate Lifeguard Press with Lilly Pulitzer's fab and fun preppy designs. Love those oranges, pinks & greens. Below, her refreshing blue and orange folders :D

Wild and Wolf is a British company that designs in-house and licenses from a wide variety of artists, designers and companies. I was attracted to these designs by (paper-cutting master) artist  Rob Ryan.

I know very little about Rob Ryan, but have seen his paper designs on products and for sale at his etsy shop, Misterrob. His pieces are delicate and beautiful. 

In 2009, Chronicle Books released "This Is for You" - in their words- "Artful, eye-catching, and full of heart, renowned screen printer and artist Rob Ryan's papercuts have graced book covers, album covers, and the fashion collections of Paul Smith. In This Is for You, Ryan takes his unique vision and crafts a book-length valentine that will move the heart and engage the spirit with its charm and artistry."

Above, Dave Heffernan holds bag- "You Can Still Do a Lot with a Small Brain" I like this, but reminds me of Sarah Palin ;)

Penguin Classics pocket and desktop sized journals got a lot of attention. Like the thermos, too!

Shinzi Katoh is another artist/designer I've included in several posts. He is a much loved Japanese artist who has been creating work since the '70s. His designs and characters are sweet whimsical and original and he has influenced many!

Finally, I'll end part one of my post with Maileg. I fell in love with these adorable stuffed animals, little mice in matchbox beds, bunnies, bears, pirates and pigs...

As soon as I saw this display booth, I felt great joy and envy! in a good way ;)

Maileg is a Danish company established in 1999 by Dorthe and Erik Mailil. The collection is now available in Japan, Canada and in the US :)

Dorthe creates everything! She is a well known graphic designer whose designs have been shown at the Louvre in Paris, Caixa Forum in Barcelona and at MOMA here in NYC. She has also been included in the Danish Crafts Collection several times.

Bowling anyone?

I realize my focus here shifted from bright and bold pop products to quiet and sweet endearing pieces. I hope you've enjoyed seeing my picks this year. I had a terrific time running into vendors I met last year and finding new (to me) companies. Once again, I tended to stay in the Accent on Design and Studio sections of the show. I will visit other blogs for everything else! Check back next week for part 2 :D

Accent on LOVE IT part deux...

This is Keiji Inatome! I met him many years ago when my friend, Rika recommended I work for his company during trade and gift shows. I quickly became very good friends with his sister, Mika Inatome *renowned Wedding Gown Designer* and their family.

Inatome International Inc. represents not only Keiji's designs, but other Japanese designers of fashion related accessories and unique lighters, often purchased as collectibles.


This year Inatome, Gallery 91 and Morihata combined to make up the Accent on Japan portion of the show. Below are Keiji's sleek and sophisticated keyrings. They are the perfect size and the top row displays the line manufactured with a crushed pearl coated finish. I own the one that's circled and although I don't use it now, it lasted a loooooong time and now rests in a safe place :)



You can see there's quite a range in lighters from the candy coated ones up top to the classic and cool pieces here. He also carries wallets, a fun mix of business card cases & other accessories that did not photograph as well as I'd hoped.

Next, I went to Poketo! Felt a bit like a party with so many stopping in to purchase or just take a look. They sell lots of super fun designs and a range of apparel, bags, wallets, stationery, tableware and wall art. There's more, you should visit their site :D


Poketo was founded by Ted Vadakan, a filmaker and Angie Myung, graphic designer in 2003. They got their start creating limited edition artist designed wallets and just grew from there!
Click here to read more about them :)


They have collaborated with over 200 international artists. "Poketo evolved into what it is today, an innovator in artist-designed lifestyle wares." I like that!

When I saw this display of Fiona Hewitt's illustrated goodies I flipped! I absolutely LOVE her work. Think I 1st saw it on Miso Pretty products by Blue Q.


This company is Wu & Wu and she is the creator! Fiona spent years living in Shanghai and Hong Kong which inspired her brand the Dumpling Dynasty :)



Who doesn't need a writing or sewing kit? or a special one for pigtails?

Wu & Wu is based in the UK and was represented here by Karen Alweil Studio a national representative of over 30 manufacturers. They were quite busy and represent many companies I heart ;)



Lovely wood veneer art prints & journals by Spitfire Girl above *(SFG included in my post on Papel New York)

Got a kick out of this Facebook notebook by Sukie, think I've seen it on other sites, but worth showing it again I think. A face per page, don't worry transparent enough to write over :)

Bright Idea has a different light bulb shape per page. What pressure!

I love the simplicity, creativity and plain 'ole cleverness in the work by Sukie. Above is Darrell Gibbs, director and designer. Darrell and his wife, Julia started Sukie in 2000. The name derived from Julia's first pet :)

Notebooks made to look like vintage short novels!!

This book flips, half the pages are blank and half are lined.

Sweet and humorous notebooks, agendas, sketchbooks, journals and limited edition silk screen art prints available.


Carolyn Gavin is another favorite of mine! I have several notebooks & sketchbooks large and small by her company Ecojot. Carolyn and her brother, Mark developed Ecojot in 2007 while still running Mirage Paper Co. Ecojot is full fledged "green", made entirely out of waste material.
Thought Mark's shirt looked just right with their products below :) He is head of sales and marketing and is quite charming and easy to talk to. This was one of my 1st stops, so it was great to start with such a friendly person. I admitted I was a fan of his sister's work. Her playful graphic style completely stands out and has the kind of whimsy I'm drawn to.


This little notebook was my parting gift and it's the perfect size for a coat pocket and quick notes.

All of the delightful designs were originally created by Carolyn. They recently licensed fellow fabulous illustrators, Helen Dardik and Nate Williams to add to the collections. Everything looks terrific and works really well together as a cohesive line!

Carolyn's designs on Sniff Tissues :) so cute.


Okay, so these artists have the careers I covet, but can't help but love what they do! ;D

Great Great Great!!! I'm lovin' Bob's Your Uncle tableware here! Plus they offer so much more...


This is Michele Yeeles, she and her husband, Martin created BYU in 2001. They also manufacture melamine plate designs by Thomas Paul. I have his great graphic bird series from a couple years ago.


In addition, they design place mats, coasters, planners, notebooks, folders & countless other fun paper goods.
I want this book below.
They called friends and family and collected recipes explained by children. It's illustrated by Mark Fisher and it's very funny!



Onto French Bull, Jackie Shapiro designs this line of patterned vibrant tableware and wall art, as well as bedding, stationery, kitchenware, bags, accessories and more all saturated with these bright candy colors!


French Bull has grown into a full lifestyle brand. I don't think they can be stopped ;)

Here is DFCasa, the Mexico City based design duo of Tony Moxham and Mauricio Paniagua. I knew nothing about them, but spotting the bold sparkly trophy-heads caused me to stop and take notice! *You must visit their site because they offer so much more than I have here.

They dedicate themselves to combining traditional Mexican techniques with modern design for home and commercial use and work with artisans from all over Mexico.


Click the DFC manifesto here :D

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*I would like to thank all of the lovely designers, owners and sales reps who took the time to talk to me. I had a wonderful time just looking and meeting such a varied and talented group of people that day :) Thanks!!!*

Hope you enjoy the post! xo, Allyn