Meet Julia Haney Montanez

Today we’re excited to be connecting with Julia Haney Montanez again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Julia, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
My name is Julia Haney Montanez. I started my career in 2009 when, on a whim—and during the peak of the U.S. recession—I left NYC for Paris, where I discovered design at Les Arts Décoratifs museum. At the time, many of my creative friends had moved to Los Angeles, so I followed one in particular, knowing he’d be a solid support if things got tough. In LA, I dove into interiors, working for a Danish design showroom—my first real design education—while studying part-time at UCLA.

That same friend eventually asked me to design his new loft, a project that ended up becoming a major turning point in my career. After moving back to NYC, I landed a role assisting a talented interior designer who hired me after seeing photos of that loft. Not long after, by complete chance, I applied for a job at the Architectural Digest Design Show—thinking I’d be working for the magazine. Little did I know, the role involved running the independent design section of one of NYC’s largest annual design fairs, in partnership with AD magazine. I was still young, and my boss took a big chance hiring me—but it turned out to be the career move that changed everything.

The show introduced me to the world of design fairs and the smaller satellite exhibitions that orbit them. I met hundreds of independent furniture designers—whether through scouting trips, exhibitors I approached, or new friends I made on the fair circuit. During those travels, I realized how insider-driven the design world can be; you needed to know the right people just to find out about many of the satellite exhibitions around major fairs. So, in 2017, along with my co-founder Leo Lei (of Leibal), we created The Design Release (TDR)—the first platform designed to help anyone discover design events around the world.

That was in 2017, and since then TDR has pivoted to an agency where we advise and connect creatives to other members of the design community for business and creative development. We have expanded to include editorial features on TDR’s website, along with our core design event calendar. We also started an industry newsletter that helps our readers navigate the global design world, in the specific niche of collectible and independent design. Our mission is to build a community around design exhibitions to foster real-world connections. We aim to turn design lovers into design-world insiders.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
A lot has changed since my 2021 interview. In 2020, the pandemic brought an end to the AD Show for good. However, before the show shut down I had started to outgrow the fair, along with many of my exhibitors who were moving on to new opportunities. But the show was so cyclical—planning for the next edition began the moment the current one ended—that it felt almost impossible to step away. I was feeling stuck in NYC, craving a simpler, less hectic life.

After taking a break and living with family in DC from 2020 to 2022 while growing TDR’s creative agency, I decided to follow one of my biggest dreams: moving to London. I turned over every leaf, which was both exciting and, at times, disappointing. I applied for the UK’s talent visa, confident that my accolades, track record, and industry recommendations would secure the opportunity—but I was rejected, as the UK only recognized “art” as an eligible category.

A mentor of mine suggested applying to Sotheby’s Institute, and after submitting my application and going through a few rounds of interviews, I was accepted into their Fine and Decorative Art and Design master’s program for 2023/2024. I was thrilled—not only to secure a student visa and start my life in London but also for the chance to meet others who shared my passion for furniture. I hoped the program might even open the door to a new career at an auction house, with TDR becoming more of a side project.

The other silver lining was that the program was very writing-intensive—a muscle I hadn’t used consistently in years. Through that process, I finally found my voice again and put it to use by launching a newsletter for The Design Release. It’s a space where I speak to my audience as equals while sharing industry news, offering advice, and connecting the dots in the design world once more. The newsletter has proven to be a worthy experiment, with a loyal audience that includes top industry professionals—journalists, PR agents, and leading interior designers—along with high open rates and even paid subscribers. It’s been the confidence boost I didn’t know I was searching for.

I’m now living the post-graduate life in London, refocusing my energy on TDR and supporting Leo with his other company, Leibal, where we’re focused on growing our interior design services. Taking the chance and making a big move to a new city—much like I did in LA back in 2009—has changed everything for me. It gave me the push I needed, both personally and professionally, to step outside my comfort zone and open new doors.

Alright, so let’s do something a bit more fast-paced and lighthearted. We call this our lightning round and we’ll ask you a few quick questions.

Favorite Movie: Casino Royale

Favorite Book: Terence by Stephen Bayley – a juicy and histerical retelling of Stephen Bayley’s time working with the inimitable Terence Conran

Favorite TV Show: Ripley

Favorite Band or Artist: Interpol

Sweet or Savory: Both, together

Mountains or Beach: Beach

Favorite Sport (to watch): Olympic shooting

Favorite Sport (to play): Walking quickly everywhere

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): Gymnastics

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: An actor

French Fries or Onion Rings: Fries

Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Hmm I guess Bobby

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Daria

Favorite Childhood movie: The Last Unicorn

Favorite Breakfast Food: Soft boiled egg with soy sauce

What do you want people to remember about you and your brand? What are some of things that you feel are most important, unique, special, etc?
I want people to remember me as someone who genuinely cared about the design community—not just as an industry, but as a network of individuals trying to create meaningful work. With TDR, the goal has always been to connect the dots, to highlight not just the big names but the emerging voices and under-the-radar shows that often get overlooked. At its core, it’s really about making connections—and honestly, making friends. Leo and I, along with some of our closest friends, met through the design industry, and now, years later, regardless of whether we work together or live in the same city, we’re still incredibly close and deeply supportive of one another. That’s the kind of community I hope TDR fosters—a space where professional connections grow into lasting relationships.

I think what makes TDR special is that it’s rooted in curiosity and authenticity. It’s not just about trends or news; it’s about understanding the shifting landscape of design, how it evolves, and how we can evolve with it.

I hope people see that I’ve never been afraid to take risks, whether moving to new cities, starting new projects, or shifting career paths. That willingness to step outside my comfort zone is woven into everything I do, and I hope it inspires others to do the same.

Website: https://thedesignrelease.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/interiordecline/