Business Greenpoint

BKLYN DESIGNS moves to Greenpoint and is bigger than ever

May 8, 2015 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Assemblymember Joseph R. Lentol, Susan Doban of Doban Architecture and Carlo Scissura, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the 13th annual BKLYN DESIGNS showcase at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint on Friday. BKLYN DESIGNS is a three-day exhibition of some of the best furniture, lighting and home accessories made or designed in Brooklyn. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
Assemblymember Joseph R. Lentol, Susan Doban of Doban Architecture and Carlo Scissura, president of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the 13th annual BKLYN DESIGNS showcase at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint on Friday. BKLYN DESIGNS is a three-day exhibition of some of the best furniture, lighting and home accessories made or designed in Brooklyn. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese
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Brooklyn’s creative community gathered together on Friday for the 13th annual BKLYN DESIGNS, a three-day showcase of local artists and designers at the Brooklyn Expo Center in Greenpoint.

“We want to thank Joe Lentol and the entire Brooklyn Assembly Delegation for allowing us to put together things like this, because they understand that BKLYN DESIGNS is not an event — they get that it’s an economic development program,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carlo Scissura.

“It allows all of you who are designing Brooklyn the opportunity to come out, meet people, network and, of course, to make money,” Scissura said.

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This was the first year the showcase has taken place outside of DUMBO, and it introduced a new section at the show — the Brooklyn Buys marketplace, where people could shop for accessories made or designed in the borough.

“Brooklyn Buys is great because it allows people like me to get involved in this wonderful event,” said Gaia DiLoreto, owner of By Brooklyn. “It lets people come in and walk out with something, because even though there are many great designers here, you can’t exactly walk out with a bed frame.”

Numerous BKLYN DESIGNS veterans returned this year, many whom were featured in the “alumni gallery” — but, as always, there were plenty of rookies as well.

“We love doing events in New York, especially in Brooklyn,” said Theo Papademetriou of Brooklyn Butcher Blocks, who was attending his first BKLYN DESIGNS. “It’s good to get out here. And for a small business like us, events like this are key.”

For Hana Getachew, BKLYN DESIGNS was a great event to launch her company Bolé Road. She said she went to a meeting after seeing an advertisement on Facebook, and the next thing she knew, she got involved with the show.

“I didn’t know what to expect going into that meeting, but Lori [Raphael] and the Chamber of Commerce were so helpful that everything fell into place. Now I’m here launching my company. Everyone has been very supportive and helpful. I’m expecting big things this weekend.”

Nearly 70 different brands were represented during BKLYN DESIGNS. The event also featured an array of seminars as well as 10 installations and pop-ups. The entire weekend was organized by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

“You really have to applaud the chamber’s team for continuing to make Brooklyn the place to be and using an innovative attitude to move us forward,” said Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “As I walked around and saw some of the designs and realized how everyday Brooklyn products can fit into the household, it’s really amazing. More than a tree is growing in Brooklyn, there are great designers here too.”

For more photos, visit BrooklynArchive.com


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