French Women Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat Shine at NYCxDesign Festival

Starting next Thursday, May 16, New York will be celebrating its Design Week (NYCxDesign Festival). Among them, two French women have a key role thanks to their position as design ambassadors for more than ten years: Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, Brand directors at IFCC (International Furniture Fair).

Together, they founded Wanted Design, an entrepreneurial event that started just 13 years ago. Arriving in New York in the 2000s, Odile Hainaut created a design gallery, R’Pure, in 2007 with her husband, to celebrate design talents that are not yet exhibited and exhibited in the city. For her part, Claire Pijoulat arrived in New York in 2005 as North American marketing director for Roche Bobois, and she became familiar with the American market. When they met in November 2010, they didn’t hesitate long. “There is a strong cultural gap between Europe and the United States; Americans still don’t know much about the world of design. In a few hours, we decided to combine our networks, our desires and our enthusiasm to create the “Wanted Design” fair, in May 2011.” says Claire Pijoulat.

Favorable design ecosystem

The first edition is very successful because it is at a human level, combining culture and design commerce, with the participation of cultural institutions such as the Cooper-Hewitt museum, brands such as Ligne Roset or even schools such as the famous Parsons School of Design . . “We arrived in New York at the right time, there was a whole scene of dynamic American designers, they were frustrated not to have a platform for them,” tells about Odile Hainaut. Their goal is to bring their European culture and knowledge and flavor to American trends. “We also aim to open up conversations, for example about how interiority can help us survive.”

Courbet Workshops. © OUI Design

The success of Wanted Design opens doors for them. In 2013, when Industry City was just bought with the aim of making a planning area, they create a festival there. Then he launched the Transatlantic Creative Exchange, an exhibition of the cross-work of French and American designers, with the support of the embassy’s cultural services.

Under the leadership of the cultural attaché Rima Abdul Malak between 2014 and 2019, the French public authorities then launched OUI design, now under the direction of Villa Albertine, which aims to promote the French experience during New York Design Week. At the same time, the two Frenchmen are not lazy: they are partners in three designer residences at Industry City, with the support of the Bettencourt-Schueller foundation, and they collaborate with the German consulate and Finnish institute.

Sunshine Thacker Studio or International Contemporary Furniture Fair salon. © IFCC

ICFF, new parent company

In 2019, they want to take it to the next level. “We decided to look for a financial partner to help us develop. ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) was interested, they had to introduce their exhibition with a new vision and a younger audience,” said Odile Hainaut.. The ICFF trade show bought Wanted Design, but the two continued their operation and annual exhibition independently.

In 2022, in a turn of events, the director of the ICFF leaves his position, and Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat are asked to take over. “It was a great opportunity for us to access resources, while maintaining our identity with Wanted (new name Wanted Design, editor’s note) which has established itself as a platform for designers which is emerging.”, explains Claire Pijoulat. They have since been hard at work redesigning sections of the show for this year’s 35th anniversary, including “ special » for the experience dedicated to custom, and they have chosen a new branding.

“We want to make it a meeting where young designers, architects, studios can meet, but also for IFCC to be a platform to build connections throughout the year. And we continue to work so that the design voice of France finds an echo in the United States. “