Ellen Gefen To Moderate “The Future of Design,” In High Point

Furniture World Magazine

As part of the week-long schedule of Designer Days events at Market this Spring, all Market attendees are invited to attend “The Future of Design,” a special evening education event sponsored by the High Point Market Authority. “The Future of Design” will take place at the High Point Theatre, 220 East Commerce Avenue, on Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m., where the Market Authority will assemble a panel of top designers—Raymond Waites, Vladimir Kagan, William Stubbs and lifestyle maven B. Smith—for a provocative panel discussion and audience Q&A moderated by industry expert and trend tracker Ellen Gefen. Garry Mertins, the talented eye behind American Leather’s current showroom designs, has signed on to create the event’s stage set which will spotlight American Leather chairs designed by Kagan. “Each of these designers is stellar in their own right; collectively they become a mighty force,” says Gefen. “Market-goers won’t want to miss the opportunity to hear their ideas and forecasts about where we’re all headed in terms of design. If you want to know what’s now and what’s next, this event, which thanks to the Market Authority is free and open to all, is not to be missed.” Indeed, Vladimir Kagan is one of today’s most enduring designers of modern furniture with a career that has spanned more than sixty years. Kagan began designing in 1946 and by the early ‘50s his innovative sculptured forms were the basis of a new movement in American furniture. Today, his dynamic designs continue to spearhead groundbreaking looks for hotels, furniture, textiles and home furnishings and are available via licensed manufacturers worldwide. His franchised American manufacturers include Bassett Furniture, Weiman Preview Furniture, American Leather and Directional. In October of 2004 Vladimir Kagan’s autobiography: The Complete Kagan was published by Pointed Leaf Press. B. Smith, meanwhile, knows style whether it’s on the runway, in a restaurant or in the comfort of home. The former fashion model turned restaurateur, television host, author, entrepreneur and entertainer extraordinaire is widely regarded as an expert when it comes to casual, but elegant living. For the past 9 years, B. Smith has hosted the lifestyle television show “B. Smith with Style.” Her B. Smith with Style Home Collection of bedding, as well as tabletop, bath towels and area rugs, wall art, specialty serveware and more is available exclusively through Bed Bath & Beyond® and at the Spring Market, Smith will unveil her first furniture collection with Clayton Marcus. The introduction of Smith’s upholstery collection will mark the first time an African American woman has presented her own furniture collection for national distribution. Panelist William W. Stubbs is founder and head of his own Houston-based firm and designs interior spaces, both commercial and residential, all over the world. From a czarist traditional estate in Russia to a luxurious yet casual Balinese home in Hawaii, Stubbs translates personalities into personal environments. His designs range from community housing for senior citizens to elegant penthouses and country mansions and his preservation projects include the conversion of an historic factory and an early 20th-century school to affordable housing for the elderly. Stubbs has been named to “The AD 100,” Architectural Digest's list of the world's top designers and architects, and is also the author of the well-received book I Hate Red, You’re Fired!—The Colorful Life of an Interior Designer. He is currently at work on second book, A Moment of Luxury, soon to be a weekly PBS television series. Raymond Waites, a design authority in America, Europe and Japan, is widely recognized for creating a New Golden Age of Decoration. Waites’ signature is mixing the opulent with the humble to create timeless and refreshing looks with casual elegance. As designer, president, and chief executive of Raymond Waites Design, Inc., his coordinated collections include all elements of home fashions including bedding, textiles, wall coverings, area rugs, lamps and chandeliers, ceramics, porcelain, framed art and other accessories. In the world of furniture, the Raymond Waites collection from Laneventure, introduced in 1995, is one of the industry’s most successful introductions. “While this event was conceived as part of our continuing efforts to serve an important Market constituency—the interior design community—The Future of Design has the potential to provide energy, insight and ideas for everyone who attends,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive of the High Point Market Authority. “Inspired by the creativity, intelligence and passion of leaders such as those that make up this great design foursome, we can all realize our potential to make a difference in this industry, while taking away ideas to drive our businesses toward ever-greater success.” About the High Point Market Authority: The High Point Market Authority is the official sponsor of the International Home Furnishings Market, in High Point, North Carolina. Featuring more than 2600 exhibitors and attracting tens of thousands of visitors from more than 110 countries, the High Point Market is the driving force of the home furnishings industry.