Behind the Brand: Cliff Young

• What are the origins of the brand?

The journey of Cliff Young Ltd. is one of resilience and dedication, spanning over five decades in the ev­er-evolving furniture industry. Founded by an Italian immigrant musician Albert Azzolina in 1968, the business weathered numerous chal­lenges, emerging as a symbol of modern design, quality, and craftsmanship.

• How did it get started?

Following his service in the US military during the 1960s, Albert returned to New York, adopting his stage name of Cliff Young, and embarked on a journey as a furniture salesman. Driven by an innate creative spark, he found his calling in the furniture industry, establishing his own venture, Cliff Young Ltd., with an initial 800-square-foot showroom on 192 Lexington Ave. His young daughter, Leslie, assisted with the phones, unaware of her eventual inheritance of her father’s legacy. As the years unfolded, the showroom flourished, expanding into an impressive 8,500-square-foot space by the mid-1980s. The company’s foresight led to a pivotal decision to relocate to the esteemed New York Design Center (NYDC), situated at 200 Lexington Avenue, propelling Cliff Young Ltd. toward continued success and innovation.

• What were the early successes of the brand?

Cliff Young Ltd. has swiftly risen as a pioneer in tailored furnishing solutions. Renowned for its award-winning creations like the Roro Dining table and the Nobu Buffet, Cliff Young has carved a niche in luxury furnishing by raising the bar on the quality of his designs, materials, and finishes (Boxeo Desk is a prime example of that). In 1995, New York Home Furnishings Association acknowledged Cliff Young’s stellar 30-year career by naming him the Furniture Man of the Year. Cliff Young has revolutionized the industry by actively promoting women to leadership roles and grooming his daughter, Leslie, to inherit the business, fostering a culture of inclusivity and innovation.

• What is exciting about the brand today?

Cliff Young Ltd. is staying inspired and innovative, and this year is promising to be one of the most exciting.

1. Early this year we relaunched our website with a slew of new features and vast product collections of modern designs. We now offer a live chat with our design specialist feature and trade account login dashboard, as a convenient way to keep your likes and downloads easily accessible while browsing our website. We are now offering on-request access to trade pricing for our best customers.
2. We are expanding our Signature Collection with the following product launches: Nikola Entertainment Unit, Davis Nesting Tables, Alberto Dining Table and Cassidy Nightstands.
3. We are especially excited about an introduction of our brand-new Cliff Young dining chair design in early April and a launch of a Dining Chair Design Competition (Award Ceremony is planned as part of NYCxDesign/ICFF programming on May 22^nd).
4. Also new this Spring is an introduction of Quicker Ship CY Signature Select Collection of our best-selling Signature models with optimized pricing and lead times.
5. Our showroom will undergo an exciting remodeling this summer and we’ll be all spruced up in time for WNWN 2024.

What has changed since the brand was founded?

When Leslie Zarra Young took the reins of Cliff Young Ltd. in 2003, she was determined to uphold her family’s esteemed reputation for excellence. Backed by a proficient team, she embarked on a mission to seamlessly blend tradition with contemporary flair, ensuring the company’s continued prominence in the industry. With most of the staff being women, each brings forth their distinct talents and perspectives, collectively pushing the boundaries of design, earning accolades, and consistently exceeding expectations with each new collection. While remaining faithful to her father’s vision and ethos, Leslie is spearheading the modernization of the business through innovative technologies, applications, and turn-key solutions. Venturing into the wholesale and expedited shipping sectors, she maintains an unwavering commitment to design and quality.

• What is significant about the brand being at 200 Lex?

Cliff Young stands proudly as one of the most enduring and expansive woman-led showrooms at NYDC since 1988, attributing much of its success to its integral role within the vibrant New York Design community. Actively engaging in NYDC’s industry events and initiatives (WNWN, Live on Five), the showroom enthusiastically welcomes design student tours and workshops while forging partnerships with women-led organizations and supporting charitable endeavors like the Holiday House Showcase and the Kaleidoscope, among others.

The Future

• Are there any exciting things happening for the brand in the future?

Leslie Zarra is boldly elevating her ownership of Cliff Young Ltd. by stepping into the forefront as the face of the brand, which embodies premium artisanal furniture solutions for the quintessential modern lifestyle. As the embodiment of the brand’s values, Leslie will become its distinctive voice and advocate:

• CY legacy – It’s in our DNA.
• Family owned – Accountable and responsible.
• Reputation – Ruthlessly protecting 56 years of hard work.
• Quality – Measured against the best in the world.
• Design/Innovation – Understanding what people want before they know it.
• Customer centric – A beautiful experience.

Where will the brand be in 5/10 years?

Cliff Young is strategically expanding its reach through e-commerce and wholesale ventures, proudly showcasing its Signature Collection on a global scale.

What do you want people to know about the brand that they may not?

Cliff Young stands out as one of the few remaining family-owned, woman-led companies in the furnishing industry, with a steadfast commitment to local manufacturing and production.