Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Kicks Off BKLYN DESIGNS Today

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura kicked off this year's BKLYN DESIGNS showcase, which takes place today through May 11. Now in its 11th year, BKLYN DESIGNS is a juried exhibition of contemporary furnishings, lighting and home accessories. With thousands of visitors expected to attend over the three day weekend, this is one of the biggest design shows in New York City. Principally held at St. Ann's Warehouse and Mark Jupiter's in DUMBO, this year's exhibition will expand to four additional locations in the neighborhood.

"This weekend's BKLYN DESIGN show isn't just Brooklyn's premier design event, it's a showcase for the kinds of jobs that are attracting the talented and creative people to our borough, and driving economic activity here to new heights," said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce President Carlo A. Scissura. "We have an entire weekend full of events and workshops that blend design, architecture, technology and fun in a way that is Brooklyn through-and-through. This year's designers have really outdone themselves and we are excited to finally be able to unveil their work to the public."

"BKLYN DESIGNS has become a must-visit show, not just for New York's design community, but for designers everywhere who want to see the next big thing in design,"said Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Denise Arbesu. "The inclusion of Brooklyn-inspired designers from Japan this year shows just how far Brooklyn has come as a brand that the whole world wants to be associated with."

In addition to fifty Brooklyn-based designers, ten designers from Osaka, Japan who have been inspired by the Brooklyn-aesthetic will be featured at this year's show. The designers for this year's exhibition were hand-picked through a competitive process by a prestigious committee including editors from International Design Magazine, NY Magazine, remodelista.com, inhabitant.com and other interior decorators.

"Much in the same way Brooklynites have been inspired for generations by the myriad cultures and nationalities that call our borough home, our friends from Osaka have taken the idea of Brooklyn and integrated it into their own designs," said Scissura. "It is a recognition that Brooklyn has become a global brand that has a cache people not only want to be associated with, but are inspired by."

This year's Speakers' Series will feature a conversation with WIRED Magazine's Cliff Kuang, and a panel discussion moderated by NY Magazine's Wendy Goodman. Traditionally held on Mother's Day weekend, BKLYN DESIGNS will also feature activities including community yoga, Double Dutch, tours of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and outdoor kid-friendly activities by Kidzone and Creatively Wild.

The lead sponsors for this year's event include are Pratt and Toll Brothers. Local sponsors include West Elm, TerraCRG, aptsandlofts.com, Yasuta, GMDC and the Media Center. Media Sponsors are New York Magazine, Architects Newspaper, inhabitat and blankslate. For more event details, check out the redesigned website that includes a full list of exhibitors at www.BKLYNDESIGNS.com.

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