New York, NY – August 13, 2015 – Donghia, Inc. and the New York School of Interior Design (NYSID) are pleased to announce the fall 2015 gallery exhibition, Angelo Donghia: Design Superstar, an in depth look inside the career and design mind of one of the most influential designers of the 20th century. The exhibition will be on view from September 17 through December 5, 2015 at the New York School of Interior Design, 161 East 69 Street, New York City.

The retrospective exhibition will detail and celebrate the accomplishments of the design icon during his lifetime and will showcase Angelo Donghia’s history, product designs, influential projects, as well as his business acumen.

The story will be illustrated with photographs, videos, original renderings, furniture, textiles, and archival materials that reveal the fascinating background behind an exceptional body of work and a visionary man. Client-specific designs and commentary about the creation of those objects and spaces from members of the original design team will also be included, as will rare television interview footage of Angelo Donghia.

Angelo Rafael Donghia was born in 1935 in the factory town of Vandergrift, Pennsylvania, the only child of immigrant parents who encouraged his creative leanings. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in 1958, he took a job with Yale Burge, one of the leading design and antiques firms in the country, taking charge of the decorating division, and becoming a partner after only six years.

He branched out into business ownership with the establishment of &Vice Versa, to produce fabrics and wall coverings. Having inherited the Burge-Donghia decorating business on the founder’s death in 1972, he renamed it Donghia Associates, and proceeded to build on that foundation, creating a furniture company and a network of trade showrooms. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Angelo’s client list grew to include major corporations, cultural institutions, as well as a number of high-profile residential clients, including Liza Minnelli, Diana Ross, and Ralph Lauren.

One of his most innovative ventures was the establishment of a licensing division. Angelo was the first home furnishings designer to enter that field, ultimately putting his name on products for some 14 companies that made and marketed everything from domestics to fabric to furniture to tableware and accessories. The licensing ventures also brought his name before a national audience. At the time of his passing in 1985, the New York based Donghia Companies included five branches: Donghia Associates, Donghia Furniture, Donghia Textiles, Donghia Showrooms and Donghia Licensing.

As an interior designer he moved from designing in traditional mode to creating distinctive contemporary interiors that, without ever looking exactly the same, had a consistent sophistication and urbanity. His trademarks included the use of silver gray, often through gray flannel, an attention to ceilings and “fat” furniture. Although he cited Jean-Michel Frank and Billy Baldwin as inspiration, Angelo’s interiors were uniquely his own.

This exhibition is sponsored by Donghia, Angelo Donghia Foundation, and Architectural Digest.

EXHIBITION DETAILS:
Angelo Donghia: Design Superstar
September 17 – December 5, 2015
NYSID Gallery
161 East 69 Street
New York City

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm.
Admission is free.
212-472-1500

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About New York School of Interior Design
New York School of Interior Design is a private, nonprofit college focused exclusively on interior design. The college offers certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs for students at all stages of their careers—whether they’re just becoming familiar with the discipline, considering a career change, or looking to deepen knowledge in a particular area. We have more than 600 students studying residential and commercial interior design, with specialties in sustainable design, lighting, and healthcare interiors. Because of our small class size and sharp focus, our students receive a great deal of personal attention from our dedicated faculty, and they go on to practice at the highest levels of the profession.

Founded in 1916, New York School of Interior Design has been leading the study of interior design for nearly a century. We’ve trained the designers whose work defines interior design today, and, by rigorously preparing students for professional success, we’re shaping the future of the entire field. We are ranked the #1 graduate and #3 undergraduate interior design program in the US by DesignIntelligence.

To learn more, visit our website at NYSID.edu.