Twice a year High Point, NC holds the largest furniture market in the world. I don't know what the normal approach to attending this market is, but I would describe the Giorgios Group approach to the market as anything but ..
attending.. It's physically enduring. Strategizing. Dedicating. Focusing. SWEAT IS POURING DOWN YOUR FACE AS YOU REACH THE EXIT DOORS. IT'S A MARATHON PEOPLE. It really is like a marathon, without numbers on your shirt. Actually everyone has ID passes hanging around their necks, soo all the more marathon-like. And I guess some do just pop in for a cocktail and browse. And that's cool and probably way more pleasant. But if you don't take this as a multi-12-hour-day-pack-the-phone-chargers-and-wear-comfortable-shoes event, you probably don't take your creative direction career very seriously. Or, you don't have 12 ongoing projects and 4 new clients. Or, you do, and you're just less of a drama queen.
My goal of the market, or any show, for anyone, really, is to see what's new, what's different and where you can get the best for the cheapest. Because it's probably here. Some companies have entire buildings and warehouses throughout the streets of High Point rented out with floors and floors of showrooms. Others have an allotted space in the "interhall" (like a convention center) where it's more like walking around a mall of hundreds of boutiques. Everything is (barely) walking distance, so naturally, you walk
blisters and all. You have one week to see it all. It's an hour away from home, so you want to be efficient. Those are the rules. On your mark, get set, marathon.
Working like this isn't cut and dry, this will go here and that will go there. You're not setting out to check off a list or looking for a specific piece, because you don't know what that piece is yet. So you have to think in the mindset of the person, the brand you're working on. Some even overlap, in one way or another, so everything down to geographic location has to be considered. And when you're juggling these all different brands and identities, it's easy to get distracted or clouded in judgement. Focus is everything. The free mini bars everywhere, YOU GUYS SUCK.
Sometimes you can tell, as soon as you walk in to a place, which project
you can find something for. Sometimes the it takes breaking a piece down
to its core principles and elements to understand why it will or won't work. Thanks studio art exams that make you draw a line matching element to definition!
And alas, ahoy, whatever, like walking away with a runner's high, I come out on the other side with invoices ready to ship out, new contacts and, the best part, an entire library of furniture, tables, lighting, smallware and decorative pieces organized with prices, style numbers and dimensions.
With fulfilled concepts for current projects and inspirations for new ideas, I leave the High Point market satisfied and excited. And visually dead.
Marathons are awesome!
Or maybe I'm just REALLY GOOD AT SHOPPING.
