In 2017, Julia Haney Montanez and Leo Lei launched The Design Release (TDR) after years of navigating the global design circuit. 'I started a simple spreadsheet of every show I came across,' Julia recalls. 'That eventually became the foundation for the calendar we have today.' What began as an organisational tool evolved into a resource aimed at connecting professionals and enthusiasts with independent, historical, and collectible design worldwide.
© Meredithe Ettrich | The Design Release (TDR)
Julia Haney Montanez (left) and Leo Lei (right) launched The Design Release (TDR) in 2017.
Julia's early work at the Architectural Digest Design Fair in New York exposed her to independent voices in design at a time when Brooklyn-based creators were gaining visibility. Traveling to fairs like Salone, DesignTO, and Paris Design Week revealed an emerging network of smaller, curated exhibitions that weren't getting mainstream coverage.
Positioning in the design media landscape
At its core, TDR positions itself as a resource, not just for events but for cultivating dialogue around design. 'Our niche is independent, historical, and collectible design — categories we find the most interesting and wide-ranging,' Julia explains. While mass-market fairs are not excluded, the focus remains on the independent and the underrepresented.
Practicality is also part of the platform's appeal. 'In my early years scouting shows, the best I could find were retrospective round-ups,' says Julia. 'Even the previews often lacked basics like dates or addresses. We set ourselves apart by giving readers practical information in advance.'
© Meredithe Ettrich | The Design Release (TDR)
Julia and Leo aims to offer new entry points for designers, that compliments gallery representation.
Shifts in the design ecosystem
Since its launch, TDR has observed shifts in how the design industry operates. 'Traditional trade shows have largely fallen out of favour, giving way to the more curated design fair, where only galleries can present independent designers,' says Julia. This shift has created challenges for emerging talents. 'It leaves few entry points for young designers to build their business, and many assume that gallery representation is the only path to making sales.'
Julia also notes the rapid expansion of the collectible design market. 'The collectible design market has expanded so quickly that it may be due for a correction, much like what we're seeing in the art world,' she observes. The term itself, she adds, is often used too broadly.
Community as a foundation
TDR's newsletter has become a cornerstone of its engagement strategy, fostering ongoing dialogue between the platform and its readers. 'The newsletter has become more than a listings tool; it's a place where we can engage directly with our readers, spark conversations, and reflect the energy of the design world as it's happening,' Julia explains.
This sense of community extends beyond digital interactions. TDR often connects designers to potential collaborators or fairs, creating opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible. 'Everything we do is central to community,' she says.
Adapting to global challenges
Geopolitical and economic shifts have also shaped the platform's perspective. Trade policies and tariffs have discouraged international exhibitors from participating in certain markets, particularly in New York. 'There is an opportunity here to support local design again, while we figure out where the cards fall with tariffs and trade,' Julia says.
Looking ahead
TDR plans to continue refining its core offerings while exploring partnerships with fairs and other platforms. 'We're focused on deepening what already makes The Design Release valuable,' says Julia. 'Keeping the calendar sharp, expanding coverage, and experimenting with new formats for the newsletter.'
For Julia, the goal remains clear: to provide a space where independent design voices are documented, accessible, and part of a larger dialogue that connects creators, collectors, and cultural stakeholders across the globe.
© The Design Release (TDR)
A glimpse of TDR's calender.
More information
The Design Release (TDR)
Julia Haney Montanez
[email protected]
www.thedesignrelease.com
