Features

What a treat to have experienced the centennial of NY NOW! Inspiring, intriguing design lined the aisles for the 100th time, literally. In the finest tradition of this market, the amount of fresh design was such that I’m still taking stock of all the trends I tracked. 

Witness, for example, this above shot of me with Silvina De Vita of the dazzling My Papercut Forest. She hails from Brighton in the UK, and while we have technically met on Zoom calls, there is nothing like connecting in person to realize we are both partial to big glasses and leopard prints. Also, and far more importantly, the exquisite artistry of her kits and miniatures is best experienced in person. Even my iPhone 14 couldn’t capture their detail — part of the reason in-person markets and shopping have eternal appeal.

I typically discover the freshest stationery makers just entering the wholesale scene at NY NOW, and this edition was no exception. Meet the delightful Drawn Goods, whose ornaments you see below. For all things edgy yet pretty, pop culture, topical and clever, Becca Moore’s your girl. Here’s a well-rendered, colorful crop of must-stock celebrities, fun taglines, Barbie allusions, plus plenty of drink and snack essentials. Take note of those butter sticks — butter imagery was everywhere.  

Collaboration remains at the core of some of the most sensational stationery collections I discovered. Take Fugu Fugu Press and Smitten on Paper — this collection unites Fugu’s adorable fauna & flora with Smitten’s meticulous, luxe craftsmanship and clean lines to elevate both into something utterly fantastic!

Speaking of flora and fauna, larger than life imagery brings the wonders of the natural world into clear colorful focus. These gift bags from Red Barn Press are strong enough to be reused, while the category itself is also trending up among smaller makers. Little impactful details like ribbon handles and patterned sides set these beauties apart from their mass-market counterparts.   

Paper people like myself love seeing sharp, clever messaging jump off stationery and onto home and gift offerings — if it’s well-executed, that is. Furbish remains up to the task with snappy, on-trend commentary in poshly presented needlepoint. Expressive typography and charming details and patterns set this true original apart from its imitators.

Both affordable and expressive, is it any surprise that stickers continue their stationery reign? This category has officially morphed into greeting cards to anyone who happens to lay eyes on them. These fetching, fun designs from first-time exhibitor Ink.Paper.Crafts — also a Santa Barbara store — illustrate the category’s strength and potential.

Giftwrap is on a roll, literally. While flat sheets were evident as always, roll wrap reared its splendid roundness as well. These, from Lucy Loves Paper, bring a welcome dose of multilingual flair and fun. Note the fruit-a-rific lady lady chilling on the pool float — strawberries are yet another design trend du jour!

What is old is new again, and The Pattern Book’s fresh take on long-forgotten graphic works, old scientific illustrations, and obscure, even baffling, technical drawings offer a breath of fresh air for the community. Their booth’s bright red walls made this London brand’s American debut a show standout in more ways than one.

Who knew that the notepad — a stationery staple if there ever was one — could feel so farm-fresh? Market in and market out, makers like Two Pooch Paperie manage to breathe vibrant, imaginative life into our category — to say nothing of trips to grocery store!