Countdown to NYCxDESIGN: Behind the Scenes with Nao Tamura, Hana Getachew, & Calliope

We check in on four fantastic designers in their studios as they prepare for NYCxDESIGN.

Images courtesy Laurel Golio


With NYCxDESIGN only a day and a week away, we decided to check in on four fantastic designers featured in our May Issue—Nao Tamura, Hana Getachew of Bolé Road Textiles, and Michael and Caroline Ventura of Calliope—to see how they’re preparing for the design festivities.

Nao Tamura

How have you been preparing for NYCxDESIGN? Are you ready?

I am presenting a piece at Chamber Collection #2 Human | Nature, curated by Andrew Zuckerman. The piece is created by the glass blowing master in Venice. I just went to Italy to check it and it’s ready to be shipped to NYC!

Which design are you most excited about showing? Why?

One is Momento Edition for Chamber and one for this Spanish rug company called Nanimarquina. I am excited for both of them because I always show my design in Europe, and this is my first time to be part of NYCxDESIGN.


Hana Getachew

How have you been preparing for NYCxDESIGN? Are you ready?

I’m debuting a new collection at BKLYN DESIGNS that I just wrapped up production on — a huge relief.  I will be ready.  We will also be celebrating our one-year anniversary, which is all the more special for us because we launched at last year’s BKLYN DESIGNS.  To celebrate, we’re planning a bunch of giveaways and contests.  It should be a lot of fun!

Which design are you most excited about showing? Why?

I’m really excited to see the response to the new collection since it’s so much bolder and more colorful than our previous lines.  I especially love our citrus toned pillows.  We are also introducing a vibrant striped curtain, which I’m eager to debut.

Which designer’s works are you most interested in checking out?

Jeanine and Bryan Hayes of Aphrochic created a lounge last year at BKLYN DESIGNS that was a great space to relax in during the show.  I’m looking forward to seeing what they create this time around.  I also enjoy walking ICFF and seeing what’s new.


Calliope

Images Courtesy Mark Wickens

​How have you been preparing for NYCxDESIGN? Are you ready?

We try to keep things pretty casual during NYCxDESIGN, if we let ourselves get overwhelmed or too crazed, we won’t be able to fully enjoy ourselves. Luckily there are two of us to help split the duties of running around the shows if timing gets tight.

Which design are you most excited about showing? Why?

We won’t be showing any of our own designs for Calliope this year, but we do have a few items that are available for custom fabrication in the shop that people can check out

Which designer’s works are you most interested in checking out?

We’ll be heading over to the Collective Design Fair for the first time this year and are really excited to see some stuff from a few under the radar designers. And our friends from Fort Makers will be showcasing some new pieces there so it’s always nice to see a familiar face in the crowd.

 

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