NYIGF Continues Drive for Excellence
with Product-Focused 'Neighborhoods'
There's simply no time for winter doldrums with the January New York International Gift Fair at hand. Tens of thousands of buyers and distributors are set to pore over products brought in from all over the United States and 85 countries.
GLM Shows is in the midst of a three-year strategic reorganization of the twice-yearly NYIGF. In August, the Gourmet Housewares Show was integrated, including product-focused "neighborhoods." That addition continues to be refined for the January show.
But the flash and dazzle continues to be the products themselves. Where do you focus your attention? What's new?
Apron designers Susan & Veronica have expanded from selling exclusively on their website to wholesale, retail and now, the NYIGF. Susan & Veronica's design philosophy is that "Style Begins at Home" for their "super sassy fashionista aprons." The aprons retail for $49.95 and come in various designs including Vanity Flair, Uptown Girl, On the Prowl, Stripe A Pose, Guitar Heroine, Ink-Credible, Road Trip, Pink Ribbon, Cutie Cane and Jingle Belle. For more information, please visit Booth 3279, email sales@susanand veronica.com or call 347.781.4149.
For the second year, Australian-inspired beach living products will be featured at the sunnyLIFE booth. Among the featured products is the picnic basket for two, which retails for $89.99 ($129.99 for a four-person basket). For more information, please visit the Karen Alweil Studio Booth 4054 in Accent on Design, email info@karenalweilstudio.com, call 800.600.3458 or go online to www.karenalweilstudio.com.
For those who like the "seedy" side of NYC, check out the Hudson Valley Seed Library, which is a first-time exhibitor to the NYIGF bearing its line of artisan seeds, a gourmet crossover product to complement kitchenwares and gourmet foods.
"We offer heirloom seeds and contemporary art, all in one pack," said Ken Greene, who runs the company with Partner Doug Muller. "Each of our seed packs unfolds like a flower. The outer envelope is frameable artwork and the inner pack contains heirloom seeds. Every pack is designed by a different artist. Because of the unique packaging, our packs sell well as gifts all year long. " Hudson Valley, which is new to the wholesale market, retails its packs for $3.75 ($1.87 wholesale). For more information, please visit Booth 7475, go online to www.seedlibrary.org or call 845.204.8769.
Kontextur will introduce two new products to the NYIGF. The Tissue Box Cover, created by renowned designer Josh Owen, turns the humble tissue box into a work of art to be celebrated, not hidden. Made of silicone in five colors, it's as functional as it is fashionable. The Hlynur Atlason-designed Harry the Duck is a "chic and modern interpretation of the rubber ducky" made of silicone in yellow and black. For more information, please visit Wabnitz Editions Ltd.'s Booth 3703, go online to www.kontextur.com or call 614.818.1446.
Infantissima's Toddler Laminated Smock, made of phalate-free materials, continues to be one of the eight-year-old company's most popular products. "We are very meticulous when it comes to our products," said Trudy Hutchings, President of Infantissima. "Our products are great sellers, which brings our customers back for more." See Infantissima's growing speciality line of infant accessories at Booth 5023 or call 866.522.1415. British kitchenware manufacturer Joseph Joseph is no stranger to NYIGF, but it will unveil a newly designed booth and several new products including Nestä Utensils, a collection of practical, space-saving kitchenware comprising a unique range of food preparation sets, and Twist, a two-in-one silicone whisk ideal for mixing sauces in low pans or for making gravy in roasting trays. To see those products and more, visit Booth 3104 or go online to www.josephjoseph.com.
Cocktails are one of the hottest trends going and you wouldn't want to set yours down on any old coaster, would you? Chaba Decor's V-Coasters, made from recycled wood salvaged from old houses and boats in Thailand, can serve as coasters or containers for anything from hors d'oeurves to mints to knickknacks. Chaba Decor shows at Pier 94, Home division at booth 40050.
Gourmet pops are easy to make at home with the Zoku Single Quick Pop Maker, which comes in red, blue, violet, orange, and lime green. The Quick Pop Maker, which retails for $24.95, can quickly make striped pops, yogurt pops, or (for the first time ever at home) flavored core pops. Learn more at Booths 3206-3208, go online to www.zokuhome.com, email wholesale@zokuhome.com or call 201.604.1253.
Nashville Wraps, which specializes in gift and gourmet packaging, will feature its new Brushed Floral Collection in bold shades of hot pink, orange and lime green at the NYIGF. Made in the United States of 50 percent recycled paper, the collection can be seen at Booth 1579 or go online to www.nashvillewraps.com or call 800.547.9727.
Home care, personal care and gourmet products that contain only environmentally friendly ingredients will be featured at J.R. Watkins Naturals during the NYIGF. New products include a line of grapefruit home care products including all-purpose cleaner, dish soap and hand soap. To find out more, please visit Booth 7739 in the Extracts Division at Javits or go online to www.jrwatkins.com.
"Jerk" isn't a bad thing at Rolf Glass. The company's eye-catching, vintage-inspired goblets and soda fountain glasses feature a classic 1950s diamond wheel-engraved pattern wraps around the rim of each glass, with an added splash of color on the bottom: retro green on their ice cream goblets and a bright blue on their soda fountain glasses. At the NYIGF, visit Booth 2728 or go online to www.rolfglass.com.
