Header: Jenna Bascom Photography
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair ICFF was held during NYCxDESIGN FAIR, one of the leading platforms for contemporary design in North America. Taking place between May 17 and May 19, 2026, at the Javits Centre. Held under the theme Common Ground: A Global Dialogue on Design and Shared Values, the fair highlighted the connective potential of design across cultures.
“This edition demonstrated how design can bring people together while also creating meaningful business opportunities. We also saw continued momentum around emerging talent and independent design through the growth of curated sections such as Launch Pad and Look Book, alongside a particularly strong international presence from Brazil and India.”
ICFF Brand Directors Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat.
Socially conscious programming
RADS (Rodolfo Agrella Design Studio) was responsible for the floor plan, which brought a more intuitive journey through the fair. The event’s positive social impact was embodied through its collaborations with Habitat for Humanity New York City, New York City and Westchester. A new show by Jonsara Ruth-led The Parsons Healthy Materials Lab explored bio-based materials, health alternatives and a forward-thinking production process.
Supporting emerging talents
Bespoke: The Art of Making, an expanded program presented jointly with Hospitality Design and the Mayfair Design District, was dedicated to craftsmanship. Intimate Bespoke Salon, designed by Post Company, held live demonstrations, presentations and conversations while Rarify installation by Rarify, Tecta, and the Bauhaus Archive Berlin presented original Bauhaus archival materials in juxtaposition to contemporary production. WANTED program dedicated to emerging talent and original design also made a return with expanded participation, which included:
- Launch Pad, which hosted 80 emerging designers
- Schools Showcase with the largest number of schools to date – 24
- Look Book spotlighted more than 60 North American design studios.
Talks and special programs
Over 110 designers, editors, architects, and thought leaders took part in talks and special programs. Highlights included:
- A Message for Mamdani, moderated by Julie Lasky of The New York Times
- The State of Affairs in Design Media, hosted by Tiffany Jow of Untapped
- Design as Diplomacy: Soft Power, Hard Materials with Amit Gupta of STIR.
2026 Awards
The ICFF 2026 awarded prizes in four segments: ICFF Editors Awards, WANTED’s Best of Launch Pad Awards for furniture/home accessories and lighting, Best of Students Award, and Best of Schools Award in numerous categories.
ICFF EDITORS AWARDS WINNERS
- 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 Winners
- Furniture/Home Accessories Winner: Amin Tadj Studio
- Lighting Winner: Mios
Students Winners: Heecham Kim, SCAD
Best of Schools Winner: Lawrence Technological University
Best of Emerging Designers Spotlight: Joey Aji
Citywide programing
And while the majority of programming took place in the Jarvits Centre, the ICFF organised several fairs across New York City. Held on May 15, ICFF Night Out, organised jointly with NYCxDESIGN and Interni magazine, included a series of evening events at the Flos Lixil and Moroso showrooms in NoMad and SoHo. Look Book Offsite program debuted Form and Feeling by AvroKO, an exhibition of works by 16 North American design studios, including Ian Love, Kate Dannessa and Thomas Yang.
ICFF is moving to a new date
The ICFF also announced some changes for the following year. Starting in 2027, the fair will move to fall to coincide with BDNY, running between November 14 and 16, 2027, at the Javits Centre. Although taking place at the same time in the same venue, the two events will remain curatorially and organizationally distinctive and independent.
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF 2026), a leading global platform for furnishing design, is behind us. International exhibitions, immersive installations, insightful talks and a trade show have placed emphasis on original and sustainable design while spotlighting emerging designers and school showcases.
