Exploring the New Look and Meaning of Luxury at New York's Decoration & Design Building'

From Left to Right: David Netto, Suysel dePedro Cunningham, Anne Maxwell Foster, Sophie Donelson at the Fancy That! The Shifting Definition of Living Fabulously keynote session (Photo Credit: @ Kitti Dadi)

Owner and real estate developer Charles S. Cohen of D&D Building (Photo Credit: @Kitti Dadi)

Luxury: Redefined & Redesigned

The Decoration & Design Building hosted the Fall Market 2018 in the heart of Manhattan’s Design District to discuss this season’s theme, Luxury: Redefined & Redesigned. Owner, Charles S. Cohen opened the two-day trade-only event with his perspective of the evolving definition of luxury resulting from the design headquarters’ carefully curated programming and discussion. The Fall Market 2018 saw an exponential growth in attendees, welcoming over 3,000 members of the trade, and a wealth of new programs including six Keynotes, 21 In-Showroom Programs, one Special Event, five Cocktail Receptions, 118 Open Houses and 14 NEW Experiential Events. Top editorial voices, leading industry trade organizations and dozens of design influencers convened for the DDB Fall Market 2018 to discuss the future of luxury, redefined and redesigned by interior design’s top to-the-trade companies.

Semiannually, the design headquarters D&D Building dedicates its over 130 showrooms, representing over 3,000 leading manufacturers, to a relevant topic in design to incite industry-improving change. Positioning itself at the helm of design, and to fit the theme, The D&D Building’s Fall showrooms were decked in sophisticated décor and luxury furnishings which inspired intellectual discussion to redefine the luxury trade industry. Great comfort, opulent aesthetics, and a world of ideas, surrounding luxury living, were up for discussion between media gatekeepers, highly-esteemed design experts plus luxury lifestyle managers, connoisseurs and innovators.

The first keynote session Fancy That! The Shifting Definition of Living Fabulously, moderated by then Editor-in-Chief Sophie Donelson of House Beautiful brought together New York designers Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham of Tilton Fenwick, plus LA designer David Netto to discuss what is worth the luxury price tag at Duralee. The leading minds in design shared their unique views on how budgeting and ingenuity can deliver the same luxury quality at an even more desirable price. Contrary to what some may believe, living in the lap of luxury is not afforded sans budgeting.

The Luxury Design Revolution was hosted by Town & Country Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes with renowned designer Kelly Wearstler. Transporting guests 100 years back through the design history of Kravet Inc., this keynote session celebrated a century in the home design business. To better understand the future of design and how it is to be redefined, this discussion took a broad look at the history of legendary interior designers, that have propelled us forward.

Closing the first day of keynote sessions, Creating and Conveying Luxury in the Retail, Hospitality and Restaurant Realms assembled an esteemed group led by Executive Editor Brittany Chevalier McIntyre of Luxe Interiors + Designs alongside designers Juan Montoya, Ryan Korban and Alicia Cannon at Warp & Weft. Eagerly contributing their experiences, creating and conveying luxury in the most extravagant lifestyle spaces, guests learned how these influential designers execute an overall concept on behalf of their clients. Effortlessly balancing a client’s brand identity, the designer’s impeccable vision and the most innovative, yet functional, materials are paramount when developing luxury retail, hospitality and restaurant spaces. Immediately following the keynote session was a book signing of Ryan Korban’s newest book Interiors and Juan Montoya’s latest design book.

Opening the second day, Tangible vs. Intangible Luxury welcomed media sponsor Financial Times “How To Spend It” and Global CEO Annastasia Seebohm of the luxury lifestyle management concierge and service company, quintessentially to lead a panel discussion joined by Founder Richard Lambertson of Lambertson Truex leather accessories, Owner Anthony Champalimaud of Troutbeck Hotel and Group Contract Director Carolyn Mitchell of Style Library in the brand’s showroom. Panelists discussed how possible it is that nostalgia or emotions from an experience can give a well-crafted product its luxury appeal.

The afternoon keynote Custom Luxuries was led by Editor-in-Chief Jacqueline Terrebonne of Galerie, partner at Maison Gerard Benoist Drut, partner at Sawyer|Berson Brian Sawyer, and Co-owner Caterina Fabrizio of Dedar in their new atelier-like space. To the guests’ advantage, the exclusive session covered one-of-a-kind fine fabrics, furnishings and designs that surmount the wildest visions of esteemed designers and their respective clientele.

The DDB Fall Market 2018 closing keynote Global Luxury was hosted at Matteo Gennari’s newly minted showroom by Editor-in-Chief Erika Heet of Interiors alongside world-renowned designers and travelers Joe Nahem of Fox-Nahem, Roric Tobin of Bradfield & Tobin and Sandra Costa of Sandra Costa Design Group. From the world traveler’s perspective, the distinguished group offered guests their unique knowledge on residential and commercial designs across various climates, cultures and societies. Immediately following the keynote session Iris Dankner hosted a Holiday House: Ten Years of Designing for a Cure cocktail reception.

IN-SHOWROOM PROGRAMS – The DDB Fall Market 2018 examined the current state of the design industry while dissecting the carefully selected design theme, “Luxury: Redefined & Redesigned”. The concept of “luxury” is increasingly impossible to identify because the Digital Information Age has resulted in a widespread dilution of the previously sacred category of products, places, and experiences. The In-Showroom Programs examined the new standard of luxury and its influence on the next generation in our all-access world. This Fall 2018, Market Week offered design visionaries, aspiring designers and leading trade and editorial publications insight into the future of luxury. Throughout the two information-filled days, both time and comfort were identified as defining the modern concept of luxury, creating a common thread.

New this season, the Decoration & Design Building introduced Experiential Events, where brands had the opportunity to engage with new and prospective clients joining the design conversation. Aspiring designers and design influencers, with business cards in tow, were excited for the opportunity to meet-and-greet illustrious members of the design trade. They also enjoyed hands-on experiences, exclusive presentations and a celebratory champagne toast. The Experiential Events were an opportunity to experience something new, engage with designer product offerings and be immersed in a memorable experience.

About the Decoration & Design Building (DDB)

Located in midtown Manhattan’s Design District, the Decoration & Design Building (DDB) is an invaluable resource to industry professionals who seek to design and decorate luxurious residential and commercial installations. The DDB is open exclusively to the Trade and welcomes design industry professionals from around the world, who can find inspiration in anything from the bespoke furnishings, ornamental wallcoverings and luxurious fabrics to unique decorative accessories and dramatic lighting, featuring styles ranging from the richly ornate to the sleek and modern. Celebrating 50+ years, the DDB is known nationally and internationally as the world’s most prestigious collection of over 130 showrooms, and represents over 3,000 leading manufacturers dedicated to the very best in residential and business interior furnishings, and resource information. The DDB is home to many global heritage brands rooted in a rich history from countries like France, Italy and the UK, to name a few.

*All Photo Credits: Kitti Dadi