Heimtextil Preview- Durable Values Inspire 2010/11 Trends

The trend theme for the January 2010 edition of Heimtextil is Uni(re)verse. The 10-person trend team took into account the intensity and uncertainty facing us—from obscure financial formulas to obvious ecological issues, from globalization’s pros and cons to the ups and downs of capitalism. So many critical issues demand our attention and force us to redefine what it means to be a producer, a consumer, a developer, a user, and of course, a designer.
Faced with all this confusion, our biggest challenge is to continually develop our creativity, to explore all cultures and all avenues for information. Most importantly perhaps is to learn the lessons of nature: responsible innovation, respect for diversity and an indomitable optimism.
It’s here that we can find the universal values that will help direct us out of the maze of confusion we find ourselves in. Nature’s lessons—time-tested and easily observed—offer gentleness, energy, refinement, elegance and simplicity, universal values to shape the outlines of new lifestyles, simultaneously optimistic and respectful.

REFINED ROOTS: Nature presented with modern, refined aesthetics.
LESSTRAVAGANCE: Between strict minimalism and over-the-top ostentation is a new take on EcoLuxury.
INFINITE TIME: Responsible design—for humans and the environment—over the lifetime of a product. The need for simplicity and the strong demand for quality come together in a responsible approach, where timeless authenticity is captured in a range of earthy colors; these themes connect elegance, ease and character.

INTIMATE BUBBLE: Breaking away—within the safety of closed spaces—to experience our desires of the moment.
IRRESISTIBLE STAGING: Playing with traditional references to confirm our individual personalities; a modern form of theatrical seduction.
DIGITAL CLASSICS: Virtual worlds increasingly offer new possibilities to create an imaginary existence. By mingling modern technology and decorative classicism, we achieve a dramatic exaggeration demonstrated in a theatrical range of opulent colors.

IMPULSIVE CREATIVITY: The beauty of everyday gestures and the energy of spontaneous creation.
GRAPHIC FASCINATION: Understandable, high-impact communication across all global markets.
MAGIC SIMPLICITY: Reinventing rituals and rediscovering enchantment. Instead of austere functionality, the mood is one of creative invention. Modular constructions, reworked geometrics and color-blocking are explored in pigments reminiscent of the 1980’s.

BENEFICIAL INNOVATION: Creating the time and space to allow nature to nurture.
ORGANO’TECH: Reducing daily complexities to enhance global well-being.
LAYERING REALITY: Integrating emotional added-value through technology, blending poetry and science. Natural inspiration for “soft” technologies that improve health and wellness; a range of fresh colors—from washed blues to smoky darks—provides multiple solutions from the most basic to the most complex.

Trend Trek

I am off later today to Europe for the first round of design trade shows for 2009. I'll be reporting on Heimtextil, imm Cologne and Maison et Objet. I can't wait. Of course, the carrot at the end of the stick is Paris- my favorite city!!
Here's a sneak peek of the Heimtextil trends. Check back here over the next 2 weeks when I'll be posting direct from the shows. Be one of the first to see what's ahead....



Illusionist
High technologies for featherweight padding, layering and folding create an illusion of mass and bulk. Play a game of hide and seek behind delicately woven drapes and move around freely in layer upon layer of breezy mille-feuilles and soft, structured folds for a natural human beauty. A sculptured volume.
Time Traveler
Only the finest treasures of the past are kept and covered in patina or shiny new coatings, embellished or embroidered, to set the stage for our reclaimed cultural heritage. Cherishing decorative art from deco to nouveau and embracing intricate detailing for the ultimate luxury




Fortune Teller
The all-seeing eye tells of fortune and fame found in chaos and eccentricity. In a world where all cultures collide and yesterday spills into tomorrow, the vagabond, bohemian and free spirit rule. Eco and ethnic folks break all the rules and create a rainbow of new ethics and traditions.

Crowd Clout

“ The online grouping of citizens/consumers for a specific cause, be it political, civic or commercial, aimed at everything from bringing down politicians to forcing suppliers to fork over discounts.” Trendwatching.com

It looks like the home furnishings industry could be among the next to get clouted. Myfab.com lets consumers collectively tell manufacturers which fpieces of furniture they want produced and then purchase them direct at near-factory prices.

Here’s how it works: Each week Paris-based Myfab posts a catalog of items that are available for voting, inviting members of the site to indicate the ones they like best. Those that win the most votes get put into production and become available for purchase through the site.

The Good Stuff: Myfab's prices can be as much as 70 percent lower since no middleman is involved. Consumers who voted for an item during its pre-production phase get an additional 10 percent off. Shoppers get a one week trial period to decide if they really like what they bought. In addition to furniture, Myfab also offers products in fashion, accessories, sports equipment and watches using the same crowd-based voting models. Could blind and shades be next?
Where: Myfab ships to France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland and the UK. Delivery takes 9 weeks on average, and consumers can follow an item's progress online each step of the way.

The Threat: Well, between design transparency and crowd clout companies are running out of places to hide; so if you're not listening to what your crowd is saying be prepared!

What's the opportunity?

SPOTTED: Owls Popping Up Everywhere

One of the first times I was camping, I spent it under a string of plastic owl lights strung under the awning of my soon to be in-laws’ Airstream. In the trend world, everything cycles and Owls are back- popping up everywhere for home décor.
Looking for a fresh approach on our designer love of birds, we’ve seemed to turn to owls. Their graphic silhouette translates well onto fabrics and motifs. The theme also plays well is our love of nostalgia and all things 70’s. After all, aren’t Mustard and Wasabi Green really just the reincarnation of avocado and gold?
Where: Home décor retailers, fabric houses, bedding, Ebay, jewelry,
Why: Their shape and form fits in with our love of graphic pattern; Nature’s inspiration-another take on our long standing love of birds; urge to rekindle childhood memories
What’s Next: More motifs of exotic or endangered birds playing off the green movement and environmentally conscious client. This could go either way- kitschy chic patterns or sophisticated designs a la Charley Harper or Audubon. Can pink flamingoes be far behind?

The owl is known for spying what others can't with its keen ability to see at night. The solar-powered Night Owl Floor Lamp by Rick Lee can help you find your way through the night.
Pottery Barn's Olivetta Owl bedding features this season's "it" bird sitting regally on pine boughs and blossoming flowers. The bedding translates the look of block-print artistry onto 100% pure organic cotton, woven to a soft percale. Plus, with an Oeko-Tex certification, you can rest assured knowing that no harmful substances were used in its manufacturing.

Charley Harper's Limited Edition Serigraph of owls. Can't afford the real thing? Check out Old Navy's Charley Harper collection . Old Navy's Creative Director Todd Oldham is a huge Charley Harper fan.

This wood veneer vinyl wall decal comes in 6 sizes priced from $4.00; what an inexpensive way to get your owl fix.

Welcome to the TrendSpot!

We think that trend watching is more than spotting the next new color, fabric, or hot designer. We believe it’s observing and understanding what’s driving the trend and then figuring out:
how it impacts your business;
how to counter any threats
how to capitalize on the next wave of opportunities.

The famed “cool-hunters” of the mid-90s were just one-woman shows, independent designers who noticed some interesting changes and realized there was an opportunity to be had. Recognizing and responding effectively to trends is great way to grow your business: it’s fun, it fits into your natural abilities as a designer, and it’s easier than ever.
So at the Trendspot,we’ll present and brainstorm consumer and interior trends. We’ll discuss what is truly driving each trend, and relate those findings to our industry and your brand. We’ll generate new ideas about what you can do to create a powerful brand and we promise to be thought-provoking and inspiring, always leaving you with not only fresh product knowledge in terms of design direction, but also forward-thinking ideas that aid in being a sustainable business today, tomorrow and beyond.

Finally, we invite you to be an integral part of this experiment. We want to hear what you have to say; we want to see what you’ve been spotting; we want you to join in on the collective design intelligence of the TrendSpotter’s community.