By Business & Finance 
Twenty-three of Ireland’s leading designers and craftspeople are currently exhibiting at NY NOW in New York, in celebration of Irish Design 2015 (ID2015), a year-long initiative backed by the Irish Government promoting and celebrating Irish design.
NY NOW attracts over 25,000 retail buyers from all over the US each year. The trade fair will be a valuable opportunity for the Irish designers to develop relationships with leading US stores.
Minister for Business and Employment, Ged Nash TD said: “Enterprise Ireland and the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland have collaborated on mentoring and supporting a group of 23 of their clients to participate in NY NOW as part of ID2015. This government-backed initiative is about harnessing Irish creativity and promoting it to the world, providing a platform for showcasing the skills and talents of Irish designers, craftspeople and manufacturers who are gaining a reputation worldwide for their individuality, quality and creativity.”
Ireland’s presence at NY NOW is a collaboration between Enterprise Ireland and DCCoI as part of Irish Design 2015. According to Hannah Webb, vice president of Consumer Goods and Retail Technology, Enterprise Ireland: “NY NOW is a valuable route to the US market for Irish companies in the design and craft sectors, who have the ambition and capability to export. The international interest in Irish products is testament to the quality and strong design offer that Irish companies have for international buyers. We look forward to working with the exhibitors in supporting them as they develop their export capability in this extremely competitive market.”
Brian McGee, acting chief executive of the Design and Crafts of Ireland added: “Consumers throughout the world have become more interested in learning where products come from and how they are made, actively seeking out brands that possess provenance and authenticity. They want to hear the story behind the brand, the designer’s inspiration and the place that they are from. The Ireland stand in Accent on Design presents designers who collectively demonstrate a new modern aesthetic built on contemporary design, respect for materials, superb craftsmanship and a rich brand narrative. We recognise the strong export potential to the USA from these exciting creative companies.”
