At Design Miami 2025, artist Nicole Cherubini presented monumental ceramic sculptures at Friedman Benda's booth, alongside Molly Hatch's installation of 288 ceramic plates at Todd Merrill's booth. The fair, curated under the theme "Make.Believe" by Glenn Adamson, saw 15 previous exhibitors drop out due to President Trump's tariffs—including a 50 percent tariff on steel and aluminum—while eight more booths appeared overall, dominated by younger, emerging talent and organic, pastel-hued designs. Established galleries like Donzello, Patrick Seguin, and Sarah Myerscough did not return, while first-time exhibitors included Arte y Ritual and Mass Modern Design.
This edition of Design Miami marks an inflection point for the collectible design market, as tariffs and competition from the Paris edition reshape the fair's landscape. The shift toward smaller, experimental presentations and a focus on craft and conviction reflects broader trends in the design world, where dealers adapt to economic pressures and evolving collector preferences. The fair's lively, less cerebral atmosphere underscores a Darwinian evolution in the market, prioritizing accessibility and organic forms over historic, high-end pieces.