IFDA New York's Circle of Excellence Awards is a complete Circle of Love in my book!

Simon Doonan, Claudia Giselle Tejeda 
and Su Hilty presenting awards

May is a busy month

for the design industry

in New York City

but who could miss the IFDA's Circle of Excellence Awards,
which honored those in the industry
while also celebrating its 65th year

 IFDA's

 Circle of Excellence Awards

was on May 8 with over 250 people 

gathered together at the historic and

beautiful Union League Club in Manhattan to honor leaders

in design, product development, education and media. 

And, the icing on the cake was IFDA honored its founder,

Claire Coleman with a Mayoral Proclamation

and an IFDA Educational Foundation Grant 

adding a spicy element with their witty banter were
Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan who hosted the evening



 some honorees included

Kate Kelly Smith, House Beautiful;

Claire Coleman; IFDA founder; 

Cary Kravet, Kravet Inc.;

Barbara Friedmann, ELLE DECOR;

Dara Caponigro, VERANDA;

Michael Boodro, ELLE DECOR;

Susan Weber, Bard Graduate Center for the Decorative Arts;

Jennifer Levene Bruno, VERANDA; 

Charlotte Moss;

David Carey, president of Hearst Magazines

accepting on behalf of Newell Turner, House Beautiful

newly elected IFDA President,

Claudia Giselle Tejeda took to the podium to begin the evening

Claudia was elected as IFDA President in January 2011 - 

see Claudia HERE in a video as she takes the new position

Claudia beaming



Charlotte Moss with

David Carey President Hearst Magazine



pretty centerpieces of
white and blue hydrangeas  

Here I am chatting it up with other guests 
@suzannesokolov and Matthew from Char-Mo

In a stately ballroom at one of NYC's most historical buildings,
we listened to heartfelt stories of love and success. 
IFDA awarded some of my favorites in the industry, and it was refreshing to hear their personal stories. I was touched by all of it and proclaim the event a

Circle of Love,

as well as Circle of Excellence.

It warmed my heart to hear the historic family tale of the Kravet family, and journey of how they became the pinnacle of excellence they are today...to learn more about Charlotte Moss and hear of her inspiring love for philanthropy and design

and how she intermingles these two worlds.

representatives from
Miele and Whitegoods

designer and blogger Tyler Wisler with George of NBC's George to the Rescue

For many it was a first chance to meet IFDA founding President Claire Coleman, and learn about what motivated her to bring IFDA to the public. Claire poignantly shared with the audience her desire to provide women with a voice in the design industry.  I came away with an even deeper appreciation for the Hearst Corporation after hearing behind the scene stories about the distinct different flavors of each of their shelter magazines.  Alexa Hampton shared with us inspiring thoughts about her family design business as well.

 Alexa Hampton and Carey Kravet 

Kravet folks enjoying the evening

the Kravet family receiving a standing ovation

a group of  committee and board members
who worked hard to bring us this event
@novitapr

and a nice turnout of bloggers,
designers and public relations representatives
@quintessenceblg and @designerattache

ladies from Fabricut in attendance  

New York Design Center in the house!

 I am a fairly new member of IFDA NY chapter, but after seeing these IFDA members at events over the years, I was invited to join in on a few educational programs they offer the community.  It was not long before I felt compelled to join.  Within a few short months of me becoming a member I was brought into the fold of design goodness, and now you will see I am tweeting about on IFDA's behalf, bringing them into the social media fold. The organization is working hard to make themselves known with bloggers and on social media as well.  

Thank You IFDA for giving us
this Circle of Excellence,
and thank you to all my fellow members
and those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes
to put the evening together. 
In my opinion, it is a complete
Circle of Love!

Come on over and visit us at
 IFDA's website,
blog,
twitter 
and
Facebook page
to see more of what's cooking
xo Tamara