Behind the Scenes at Gift Show

The New York International Gift Fair kicked off over the weekend in the very frigid Big Apple and though I'm not braving the cold up there this go round, I did get a sneak peek at the wares of one of my favorite Southern designers: Charleston's Harper Poe of Proud Mary Textiles (photo of Poe below). Poe founded Proud Mary in 2008 to help sustain the beautiful traditions of global artisans for generations to come. I am constantly inspired by her travels, her heroic efforts, and her design eye.

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And here's the thing about the New York International Gift Fair: A LOT of hard work and planning goes into making each vendor booth eye-catching for all the editors and buyers wandering the aisles. It's no cinch to make a convention center cool.

But Poe makes it look easy. Check out  all the indigo and mud cloth pieces from Mali, beautiful shoes from Morocco, and pillows and bags from Guatemala on display at Poe's Proud Mary booth right now (below). They'll all be available come spring and I can't get enough of the colors, and textures, and spirit of the artisans the brand represents. Bravo, Ms. Poe!