First we take Manhattan

David Trubridge uses traditional craftsmanship in designs like this garden bench.

New Zealand designers and artists will have their works showcased at New York's Museum of Modern Art design-store next year.

Included in the lineup is well-known furniture-maker David Trubridge, Hoglund Art Glass and potter Peter Collis.

The artists are thrilled with the exposure in such a lucrative market, thanks to the efforts of a two-woman enterprise in Parnell, Auckland.

Collis says the opportunity is unbelievable. "To be a potter in New Zealand and have your work shown at MoMA - it's the hugest thing you can get.

"I think this has opened doors never perceived to be possible."

Trubridge, who is established in Europe and featured in design collections, is equally enthusiastic.

"In terms of the United States, it is pretty amazing. To have people working for us is great. Having the vehicle to promote our work is the hardest part. It is a big step up for me and all the designers," he says.

The opportunity came about after art marketers Clare Mora and Anne Stevenson caught the eye of a MoMa curator when they took work to New York in May to exhibit at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF).

MoMa's communications manager, Daniela Stigh, confirmed plans were under way for a New Zealand design showcase, but declined to give details.

A show is also scheduled in a San Francisco gallery early next year. Mora and Stevenson, who founded their marketing company Essenze 18 months ago, aim to open a retail outlet in the west coast city later in the year as the next step of an ambitious business plan for further expansion in the US and internationally.

"We are focusing on getting across the story of New Zealand, and creating business opportunities and commercial traction for the artists. It is important for the creative industry," says Stevenson.

The women act as a marketing and distribution company for the 30 artists and manufacturers they represent, some of whom have well-established companies, like furniture-maker Design Mobel.

The MoMa collection promises to be modern and stylish.

It will include funky hand-blown glass vases, bottles and platters in a dazzling rainbow of colours by Hoglund Art Glass.

Also featured are Collis' tactile and brightly coloured ceramics. The Aucklander's work ranges from elegant orbs to a waka with sharp and delicate edges.

Trubridge's sculptural collection of furniture and lighting incorporates traditional craftsmanship to create new designs with a Kiwi twist, including "kina" and "coral" lamps and chairs.

Other artists represented by Essenze are furniture-makers Purple South and Kevin Webby, fabric designer to the film industry Miranda Brown, ceramic and terracotta tiles and pots from Morris and James, and Susannah Bridges, whose lighting and sculptural creations mix ceramics, concrete, steel, copper and fabrics.

Mora says the trade fair where the works won over MoMa was the official launch of the Essenze range in the US. "The general response was fantastic and quite overwhelming."

They then had a six-week exhibit at advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi in its SoHo building, organised by world-wide chief executive Kevin Roberts and world-wide director of design Derek Lockwood.

Together with US business partner John Cook, a New Zealander living in the US, Mora and Stevenson also opened a permanent showroom in New York City's Hell's Kitchen district at the end of July.

It is aimed at trade clients, targeting architects and interior designers.

Essenze already distributes some artworks into high-end retail stores, but after two years of planning and research, "the next step from there is retail," says Mora.