ICFF Notes: Signs of Upcycling Going Mainstream

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I checked out the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) recently. I went specifically to check out an exhibitor that makes furniture out of all sorts of found objects. Beautiful stuff, but Hipcycle is not going to be in the $2000 chair business (find out why here), so I let the opportunity pass. However, I was delighted to meet so many other exhibitors that are making products sustainably, or even from upcycled materials. It was great validation of my hunch that Hipcycle would not necessarily be operating in a little niche area, but in a space that growing in size, and in acceptance.

The story in the New York Times reviewing the ICFF further validated my conclusion by covering this emergence of sustainable and upcycled as its lead angle. The headline was, “At the Furniture Fair, Sustainable Furniture Gets Playful,” and the story went on to say that, “Among the more than 500 exhibitors from 39 countries, the green conversation hadn’t faded by any means, but it was less strident, better integrated into the ambient hum of the new.” Awesome.

I may not be smart enough to describe something as being “integrated into the ambient hum of the new,” but what that means to me is that sustainability in the furniture world has matured to a level where it is no longer OK to make products simply because they are eco-friendly. If a product is going to be purchased and enjoyed by consumers, it has to meet other requirements. Namely, ya like it and ya can afford it. Having green qualities is just gravy.

Beyond all that I learned at the ICFF, I did come home with a bunch of great product leads, some of which you’ll be seeing on the site when we launch. I also learned about the Sustainable Furnishings Council and the great work Executive Director Susan Inglis and her team are doing. I think in the future you may see Hipcycle involved in their efforts.

I may be crazy for starting a new company, but at least I’m crazy within a sane context.