Amidst new creative geographies, material research, and an increasingly fluid dialogue between industry, craftsmanship, and collectible design, ICFF 2026 reaffirmed New York‘s role as a key observatory for contemporary design, uniting global brands, emerging studios, and independent designers, and reflecting an ever more cross-disciplinary and multifaceted industry. A powerful, renewed focus on the value of materials and manufacturing emerged, with tactile surfaces, artisanal workmanship, natural woods, oxidized metals, and sustainable experiments running through the fair’s exhibits, featuring collections designed for fluid and hybrid environments. An immersive path, conceived by RADS-Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio, guided visitors through a more refined and intuitive experience, inviting them to discover new curatorial collaborations with a social mission. These ranged from ICFF’s first-ever partnership with Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester – which reinforced design’s role as a tool for social impact – to a special focus on innovative and sustainable materials research showcased by the Parsons Healthy Materials Lab, led by Jonsara Ruth.
“ICFF 2026 reflected the kind of evolution we believe the design industry is actively seeking,” stated Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, Brand Directors of ICFF. “There was a strong sense of engagement throughout the event, from the conversations on the show floor to the depth of the conference program and the quality of exhibitor presentations. This edition demonstrated how design can bring people together while creating significant business opportunities. We also observed a continued growth of interest in emerging talent and independent design through the expansion of curated sections like Launch Pad and Look Book, along with a particularly strong international presence from Brazil and India.”
In a landscape dedicated to new talent, the fair expanded the Emerging Designer Spotlight initiative, developed in collaboration with Clever and Amy Devers and sponsored by Danver. Meanwhile, WANTED further strengthened ICFF’s commitment to the new culture of design by hosting more than 80 new voices in its Launch Pad section, over 60 North American design studios in the Look Book program – curated this year with Julia Haney Montanez – and 24 selected schools from around the world in the Schools Showcase. Among the event’s highlights, the high-end craftsmanship of Bespoke: The Art of Making, developed with Hospitality Design and the Mayfair Design District, staged live performances dedicated to the value of the handmade inside the Bespoke Salon, designed by Post Company. A collaboration between Rarify, Tecta, and the Bauhaus Archive in Berlin brought original materials from the movement founded by Walter Gropius to the fair alongside contemporary productions, creating an exclusive dialogue between historical memory and innovation.
The Oasis by Leon Speakers, Ethnicraft & Mohawk Group, in collaboration with Architonic
With a packed schedule of events and talks – hosted on the Main Stage, sponsored by Moroso; in The Oasis by Leon Speakers, Ethnicraft, and Mohawk Group, in collaboration with Architonic; at the Aqua Atelier by GROHE; and in the Juniper Recharge Lounge – designers, architects, editors, and opinion leaders focused on pressing topics such as material innovation, accessible housing, sustainability, and new technologies.
In the spirit of a fair conceived as a collective presence, ICFF 2026 extended its presence “onto the streets of New York” with two NYCxDESIGN programs that united the design community: ICFF Night Out – with events held in NoMad and SoHo at the showrooms of Flos, Lixil, and Moroso – and the inaugural Look Book Offsite program, which brought together independent design studios from North America dedicated to exploring contemporary forms and traditional materiality. This concluded the final spring edition of ICFF. Starting in 2027, the fair will move to the fall, running from November 14-16, 2027, at the Javits Center. It will run concurrently with BDNY, while maintaining distinct identities, curations, and programs to offer complementary experiences that will create a dynamic and immersive platform dedicated to contemporary design.
ICFF 2026 Awards Winners
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ICFF EDITORS AWARDS
Furniture: Bernhardt Design
Outdoor: British American Camping
Lighting: Ridezign
Flooring & Rugs: Gica Atelier
Kitchen & Bath: Herbeau
Materials & Surfaces: Leon Speakers
Craftsmanship: Atelier Lebuisson
Exhibit Design: Arboreal
American Brand: Sin
International Brand: Zieta Studio
Sustainable Design: Parsons Healthy Materials Lab
Best in Show: Zieta Studio
Best of Launch Pad – Lighting: Mios
BEST OF LAUNCH PAD
Furniture/Home Accessories: Amin Tadj Studio
Lighting: Mios
BEST OF STUDENTS
Heecham Kim, SCAD
BEST OF SCHOOLS
Lawrence Technological University
BEST OF EMERGING DESIGNERS SPOTLIGHT
Joey Aji
