Going Global: Reflections and Recommendations from Flawk’s Show at Collectible NYC

This September, Flawk stepped onto the international stage with our first show as Flawk Gallery, debuting the new collection Detritus – a collaboration between our founder Ashley Law and designer Louis Barrett – at Collectible in New York City. The series, inspired by walks through Epping Forest and the South Downs, recasts fragments of nature in aluminium, transforming twigs and bark into lasting, functional forms.

After months of hard work designing and creating the pieces, followed by a non-stop week in New York, Ashley has had just enough time to recuperate for us to check in, asking for her reflections on this milestone, what it meant to launch Flawk Gallery internationally, her highlights from the fair, and the places she discovered in New York along the way…

Ashely, congratulations on the show! What did it mean to you to debut Flawk Gallery and participate in your first show?
It was really exciting. We’ve done things for LDF before, but being part of an international show felt completely different. It was about introducing Flawk to more than just London, more than just our local community. It was a chance to share our ethos and what we’re trying to achieve with the world.

What milestone does this represent for Flawk? Can we expect more moments like this in future?
For me, it was a real challenge. Not just the timeframe, which was so tight, but also designing a collection in true collaboration with Louis. We had to agree, to compromise. It was emotional, stressful at times, but also rewarding. We’d definitely like to do more. I’d love to spread Flawk globally, maybe to Milan next year with something playful, like a pop-up café where every plate, utensil and detail comes from us or made with our collaborators.

What was your experience of the show itself?
It was amazing to see how many people connected with the work. Younger designers really responded to the minimal way we presented the collection, and it was great to have people returning every day to spend more time at the booth. A number of visitors even told us it was their favourite at the fair, which was such a rewarding feeling after all the effort that went in.

Which other presentations or works stood out to you?
Llewellyn Chupin is a designer creating furniture with embedded jewellery, whose work is beautiful. Heim+Viladrich are a duo who designed their whole booth themselves around the theme of a waiting room and the work was very strong. And a Georgian collective called Jamieri, who showed some great pieces.

Did you meet any designers you were excited by?
Yes, I reconnected with Sam Klemick of Sight Unseen, whose work I love, and finally met Lucas Cambier, a young designer I’ve followed online for a while. It was interesting that they already knew Flawk too. During the day, we were busy at our booth, but I did make some friends I’ll stay in touch with. By the evenings, we’d gather with other exhibitors, share a beer and decompress together. That sense of community was really nice.

Any food discoveries?
New York is expensive, but I found Shu Jiao Fu Zhou in Chinatown where you can get peanut noodles for $3.25. They were so good. I went back a few times. In Ridgewood, we celebrated a friend’s birthday at Rolo’s, and honestly it was the best food I had in the city.

Any cultural highlights or shops you’d recommend?
I didn’t have much time on this trip, but in the past I’ve loved Manitoga and the James Rose house in New Jersey, both connected to landscape design. I also booked tickets for Petre Island to see Frank Lloyd Wright’s houses, but couldn’t go in the end. In terms of shops, Beverly 1975 always has great energy, and I like Tumbo in the Lower East Side for clothes.

One small discovery from New York you’ll remember?
This time I really fell for the city. I’d been before, but something clicked. I felt myself loving it in a new way.