Aid to Artisans’ booth at the NY NOW show in February
NEW YORK – From February 1 to 5, Aid to Artisans kicked off the new year with the first NY NOW show of 2014. Despite the heavy snowfall and Super Bowl festivities, Aid to Artisans came out strong in sales, tripling from last August’s show.
Exhibitors from Sri Lanka, Mexico, and Tibet offered a wide variety of products at the ATA booth from pillows to scarves and hand puppets to wooden elephant book-ends.
Erica Lardo, marketing coordinator of ATA Mexico, shows a buyer different color way options for a product.
ATA Mexico exhibited for a second time, including products from six brands that they have connected with artisans in Chiapas. Abrazo Style, Artemateria, Alegria Home, ColorIndio, Maravilla, and Onora exhibited an eclectic mix of products.
“Many of these brands were showing for the first time in the USA and we were happy to receive such a great response from buyers at NY NOW,” says Erica Lardo, marketing coordinator of ATA Mexico. “We achieved one of the project’s main goals of expanding markets for the entire Chiapanecan artisan textile value chain. A variety of the brands that participated hope to invest in their own booth for August 2014.”
Ravindi Walisinghe, business development manager of DSFD, puts in an order for a buyer.
First-time exhibitor from Sri Lanka, Island Craft, featured unique, handmade home-ware, fashion and accessories made from hand woven textiles and traditional craft heritage. Island Craft is an initiative of the Design for Sustainable Foundation (DFSD), a non-profit venture conceptualized by the Academy of Design (AOD) works alongside the regional artisans to develop products that build on Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, rather than imposing subjective style solutions at odds with the local context.
“This was our first time at NY NOW and the US, it was certainly a good experience – a learning experience. NY NOW gave us a platform to meet traders from across the region and beyond,” says Ravindi Walisinghe, business development manager of DSFD. “We also observed market trends and gained insight into perspectives of buyers and other exhibitors. It was well organized. We would like to thank ATA for all the guidance and support rendered towards making this event a successful first exhibition for us.”
From Tibet, Dropenling featured unique and colorful dolls, toys, and bags in ATA’s booth. Dropenling is a social enterprise designed to provide sustainable, long-term solutions to the promotion and preservation of Tibetan culture.
Kristin Jones of Dropenling speaks to a buyer about the products on display.
“Despite the Super Bowl and snow storms, Dropenling had its best January/Winter sales ever. Knowing that we having the support of ATA for our artisans makes all the difference in the world,” says Kristine Jones of Dropenling.
On Monday, February 3rd, ATA had the opportunity to meet up with some long-time friends at Gift for Life’s Party for Life fundraising party. Clare Brett Smith, president emerita of ATA, was honored at the party, and received the Bert Tonkin Gift of Giving Award.
This summer, Aid to Artisans is holding its annual Market Readiness Program™ in conjunction with NY NOW from August 16-20. If you’re interested in participating, register here.
