IFDA HONORS RISING STARS 2015

By Rio Hamilton - NOV 28, 2015 SATURDAY

IFDA invites you to

Celebrate Exceptional Design

at our 2015

Rising Stars Event

Thursday November 19th 2015 5:15 PM 70 degrees (rain)

I arrived early for the IFDA Rising Stars event. It was already dark outside and had been raining throughout the day. There is always a feeling of grandeur when you enter the double doors at the Lapicida Showroom on 59th Street in Manhattan. The stately and impressive stone showroom was a nice choice for IFDA’s annual Rising Star event.

My good friend and Interior Designer Tamara Matthews Stephenson had encouraged me to attend if only for a moment. I explained my double booking with a Holiday House event happening simultaneously. It seems I might be called upon to share advice or a learning experience to the Rising Star recipients and other twinkle-rs in the audience.

After shaking and placing my wet umbrella ella, ella. It was nice to be greeted by the handsome Master of Ceremonies, Justin Shaulis. He and Interior Design phenomenon Charles Pavarini gave me a little love for my Holiday House room and then mentioned something about “advice to the rising stars”. Wait what? – err -ummm- oh dear – was I supposed to prepare something? Justin gave me that look like ADELE singing her new hit “Hello” but with the words “is anybody home”? (tip#1 always update your ‘to-do’ list and keep it in your phone)

IFDA –International Furnishings and Design Association started as a ladies lunch in 1947. (tip#2: big business often happens over lunch).

The Rising Star event brings recognition to those who have displayed their commitment to enhance the stature of the design industry. (tip #3 a professional photo can enhance your business brand / a mobile phone picture rarely helps to influence business).

During the event there was a lively conversational cocktail moment and then the members, directors and trailblazers convened to theater seating for the presentation. I felt a sigh of relief that I was able to tip toe out (pun intended) without offering any tips or learning nuances to the enthusiastic design crowd . I gathered my ella ella umbrella and headed toward the door. Just as I begin to exit I hear “R I O you’re being introduced“. Yep, PR Maven and Design Communications expert Lisa McMahon is calling me out.

More than 200 eyes have now re-adjusted their attention to me (maybe more because some people were wearing glasses) and I could utter only one word . . . “h e l l o “. (tip #4: always acknowledge others in the room – a wave – a nod – a wink can make a difference in how you are perceived in any social situation).

Congratulations Jessica Geller + Virginia Toledo + Bennett Leifer + Kevin Dumais and Pyror Callaway. Your design contributions have garnered the accolades of a very powerful association, IFDA.