A Tour of the Sight Unseen OFFSITE 2014 Show: Part I

When we founded the Noho Design District back in 2009, it was meant to provide a much-needed, well-curated platform for independent designers, whose numbers — particularly in America — had begun to surge. But it was also meant to add an extra dose of dimension and excitement to New York Design Week (or NYCxDesign, as it has since come to be known), which at the time was considered preeeeeetty lackluster, to say the least. By that measure alone, the first edition of Sight Unseen OFFSITE, our successor to the Noho Design District, was a massive success; word on the street was that this NYDW was the best anyone could remember, and we’re proud to have played a significant role, alongside Wanted, ICFF, Intro/NY, Herman Miller, Matter, Wallpaper, and several others.

Of course, Sight Unseen OFFSITE was a success in other ways as well, like the thousands of visitors who surged through this year, from design curators to celebs like David Byrne to top players at the likes of Proenza Schouler, J. Crew, and Alexander Wang. Plus the nearly 50 exhibitors who came away with sold-out booths and glowing press everywhere from T magazine to Refinery29. To that end, there were two questions we heard most often as the show drew to a close earlier this week: 1. Will you do it again next year? (As long as we find a great space!) And 2. How can I see photos of the show if I missed it? (By viewing the slideshow at right, the first of two recaps). Thanks so much to everyone who did attend, thanks to all of our exhibitors who helped us make design-week history, thanks to our graphic designers Kokoro & Moi and our PR team at Camron, and special thanks to our partners — General Growth Properties, Rockwell Group, Q+Q, Waggener Edstrom, and Interiors From Spain — without whom none of this would have been possible in the first place.

We can’t wait to do it again in 2015! After we get some much-needed rest, that is.

PHOTOS BY MIKE VORRASI