At the inaugural Shelter fair during NYCxDesign, New York-based designer Henry Julier presented a fresh take on Swiss furniture giant USM’s iconic modular system. His new collection, Woven Structures, features Danish paper cord woven tops that bring a tactile softness and craftsmanship contrast to USM’s sleek chrome-plated steel grid. This unexpected material pairing quickly became one of the standout exhibitions at the Chelsea event, drawing attention for its blend of industrial precision and artisanal tradition.
Craft meets industrial design in woven structures
Henry Julier’s Woven Structures collection builds on the celebrated modular framework that USM has been producing for decades. Known for its precise, mass-produced steel grid system, USM furniture rarely ventures into hand-crafted material territories until now. Julier introduces Danish paper cord, a flexible yet durable natural fiber traditionally used in Scandinavian chair seats, as the surface material for tables, trays, and seating within the modular framework.
“The materials complement each other beautifully,” Julier told Dezeen. “You have USM’s robust, industrial steel structure paired with the softness and craftsmanship of woven paper cord.” This combination highlights the best of both worlds: the repeatability and structural integrity of precision manufacturing alongside the unique, human touch of hand weaving. Importantly, USM had never previously incorporated Danish paper cord in their product lines. Julier’s design marks a bold first step, marrying the Swiss company’s reputation for engineering excellence with centuries-old weaving techniques practiced in many cultures worldwide.
“Paper cord weaving is something that can be done locally, in many places,” Julier explained. In fact, the production team has sourced weavers based in North America, emphasizing a local, sustainable approach and supporting traditional craft skills. This aspect also aligns well with USM’s ethos of modularity and longevity, allowing pieces to be maintained and even partially remade over time.
Showcased in Chelsea’s design heartland
The Woven Structures pieces were presented at Shelter on a series of pedestals arranged thoughtfully with natural grasses and clear signage, creating a calming natural vignette within the bustling fair. Held inside the historic Starrett-Lehigh building in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood, Shelter carved out its own identity during NYCxDesign week, conveniently located near the larger and more established ICFF trade fair.
Shelter 2025 offered an eclectic mix of emerging design studios and innovative exhibitions, positioning itself as a fresh, thoughtfully curated alternative that championed both craftsmanship and sustainable practices.
Standouts from shelter and NYCxDesign
Among Shelter’s highlights was the annual Jonald Dudd showcase, guest curated this year by the duo Chen Chen & Kai Williams. The collection featured collectible design, art furniture and conceptual pieces, with an aesthetic loosely inspired by the American rock band The Grateful Dead. Designer Steven Bukowski contributed a striking piece featuring a carved smiley face symbol on the back, referencing the band’s psychedelic iconography.
The Dudd exhibition also included Dan McMahon’s light crafted from self-supporting paper pulp — a novel material choice emphasizing sustainability and Christian Borger’s desk topped with corrugated polycarbonate and supported by slender yellow pine legs, blending industrial and natural elements.
Sustainability was a running theme throughout the fair. Joe Doucet debuted a massive flatpack table made from Polygood, a recycled plastic composite developed by Dutch manufacturer The Good Plastic Company. This piece highlights innovative ways designers are integrating circular economy principles into high-design products. New York’s Like Minded Objects brought a range of furniture made from recycled materials, along with experiments using mycelium-based composites to create sculptural lamp structures. This exploration of bio-based materials signals a growing interest in alternative, eco-friendly production methods.
In a creative crossover, Bond Hardware known primarily for jewelry showed the Exo chair, which marries the tubular frame of a Marcel Breuer Cesca chair with a pliable stainless steel mesh, a material the studio often employs in accessories. The chair demonstrated mesh’s surprising versatility and durability, expanding its application beyond fashion into furniture design. Brooklyn-based designer Natalie Shook presented her Ledoux Prêt shelving collection at Shelter as well. Having won Best in Show at ICFF 2022, Shook’s latest work condenses her sculptural wall units into a more market-ready, streamlined format, combining aesthetics with practical usability. Another notable participant was Brooklyn’s Garnier Pingree, showcasing geometric forms such as the angular A Chair and a gridded floor lamp that aligns with the “caged light” trend observed during the week, which emphasizes modularity and structure in lighting design.
Shelter: A new platform for craft and innovation
Taking place from 17 to 19 May, Shelter made its debut as a design fair intent on shining a spotlight on craft, material innovation, and emerging voices within the industry. Its timing during NYCxDesign (15-21 May) allowed it to benefit from the influx of design professionals and enthusiasts in New York, while its distinct positioning offered a fresh narrative focused on the interplay between tradition and modernity.
Henry Julier’s Woven Structures perfectly encapsulates this ethos — a marriage of precision engineering and handwoven artistry, presented in a modular format that remains versatile and highly functional. As Shelter continues to grow, it promises to be a key destination for designers and brands that value thoughtful materials, sustainable practices, and craftsmanship — qualities increasingly prized by today’s design community.
For more highlights from NYCxDesign 2025, including detailed festival guides and featured events, visit our dedicated coverage page.
