Designs That Linger: Collectible Design NYC
September in New York City is a creative whirlwind, and smack in the middle of it, Collectible Design NYC takes over Manhattan’s Financial District.
by Lucie Podrabska
Picture this: you’re in one of the city’s most buttoned-up areas, but step inside Water Street Projects, and suddenly, it’s like falling down the rabbit hole into a world where creativity oozes from every surface, inanimate and living. It’s not just another design fair—it’s alive, kicking with energy, and dripping with artistry.
Some designers that are etched in my memory, pieces that get under your skin and refuse to leave.
Garza Studio’s “Move a Little Bit Further”: A bench that’s as poetic as it is practical. Couples can slide their seats closer or further apart, a literal take on the ebb and flow of relationships. It’s quiet, it’s powerful, and it makes you think. I stood there observing Leonardo’s work for what felt like hours.
Clara Jorisch’s Glass Furniture: Shimmering like a daydream, these pieces are equal parts delicate sculpture and functional furniture. They look like they might float away but are solid (and resistable) crystal glass.
Bruises Gallery’s Stainless Steel Daybed: A sleek, minimalist piece with just enough rawness to keep it interesting. Acid etched. It’s strength with a soft side—a total mood.
Tang Badham’s Sofa: Think childhood toy meets grown-up design. This playful piece isn’t just a couch; it’s a conversation starter, a personality hire for your home.
Every piece feels like it has a story to tell, and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the narratives they whisper.
The Venue: A Perfect Partner in Crime
The venue itself brought the whole experience to the next level. Its industrial vibe set the stage for the meticulously crafted designs, creating a delicious contrast. You’d find yourself pausing in corners, drawn in by the interplay between the raw space and the refined pieces. It was like the room itself was challenging you to look closer, think deeper, and just feel more.
After Hours: Beyond Collectible Design
When the doors closed, the inspiration kept flowing. Nearby gallery openings turned into chicken soup for the soul.
Win McCarthy’s solo exhibition, Kingdom Come at Francis Irv’s: Big, bold ideas mingling with tender, intimate reflections. It was like a rollercoaster for your brain. The location itself is a feverdream, located on the second floor of a shabby soho building, you climb up stairs with posters advertising acupuncture and massages, then find yourself in an unexpected universe.
Ryan Preciado at Karma Gallery: He took everyday materials and made them extraordinary, leaving you wondering how you’ll ever look at your surroundings the same way again.
These were the cherry on top, proof that in New York, creativity doesn’t just clock out—it keeps going, even in places you least expect it.
Mark Your Calendar
Collectible Design isn’t just a one-off—it’s a thing. It pops up in Brussels every March and hits New York every September. And it’s not just about seeing cool stuff (though there’s plenty of that); it’s about remembering how collectible design can turn a mundane space into magic.
If you go, prepare to leave inspired, recharged, and with a million ideas for how to breathe life into your everyday spaces. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll see the world with a little more wonder.
