February 2007 / Trade Show Trekking


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After walking almost 20 fairs in the last month the Trendease Team has a lot to share with our readers. We are beginning with reviews of the major trend exhibits found at Maison&Objet, Heimtextil, imm cologne, and will cover much more as we progress onward. In this issue there are also new talent and EcoChic features as well as colors, motifs, shapes, details, buzzwords, and more for 2007 and 2008…

Get inspired with the February edition,

Jennifer Castoldi,
Chief Creative Director

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Features and Articles

Jennifer's February Fables '07

Frankfurt — The Team made it through the January trade show madness, coming out unscathed and with feet intact. We were on the road non-stop analyzing the happenings and products on show. We’ve got oodles to share with you, and for starters we have published recaps of some trend exhibitions. More product coverage will appear soon; currently we are editing and sorting through thousands of images and loads of information. But to keep you on the forefront Jennifer lets you know what other trends we spotted…

Constructive Power

Frankfurt — This trend revolves around modernity and clear lines, clarity and passion. Artistic style is born from decorative elements fused with elegant tradition. In this gallery on ‘Constructive Power’ explore the forum virtually while reading up on textile buzzwords, effects, technical finishes, get the Trendease scoop on global trends.

Surreal Sunny

Frankfurt — Here modern and romantic aspects are infused with the warmth of yellow and red, creating a color palette evoking memories of the sun. Surrealism contrasts with classical motifs to inspire new direction. In this gallery on ‘Surreal Sunny’ explore the forum virtually while reading up on textile buzzwords, effects, and technical finishes. Also read the Trendease tidbits on how it plays into global tendencies.

Futurism Dawn

Frankfurt — This trend is where modernism and romanticism are expressed through fairytale accessories and an air of mystery. This cool color palette is saturated with blue green tones. In this gallery on ‘Futurism Dawn’ explore the forum virtually while reading up on textile buzzwords, effects, technical finishes, and learn what trends are crossing over from outside of this show.

Cubism Monochrome

Frankfurt — This trend is about focus of calmness and a basis for reorientation. Seven neutral colors lay the foundation for this trend with a Cubist twist. In this gallery on ‘Cubism Monochrome’ explore the forum virtually while reading up on textile buzzwords, effects, technical finishes, and connect the dots to other trends.

Heirloom Culture

Cologne — Retail buyers, interior designers and decorators, and home fashion aficionados alike, catch the summary of the “Heirloom Culture” trend here, as identified at imm cologne by their Trendboard of international experts. View some product examples and learn the catchphrases, colors, motifs, details, and shapes that coincide with this theme.

New Hybrids

Cologne — Retail buyers, interior designers and decorators, and home fashion aficionados alike, catch the summary of the “New Hybrids” trend here, as identified at imm cologne by their Trendboard of international experts. View some product examples and learn the catchphrases, colors, motifs, details, and shapes that coincide with this theme.

Size Matters

Cologne — Retail buyers, interior designers and decorators, and home fashion aficionados alike, catch the summary of the “Size Matters” trend here, as identified at imm cologne by their Trendboard of international experts. View some product examples and learn the catchphrases, colors, motifs, details, and shapes that coincide with this theme.

Design as Art

Cologne — Retail buyers, interior designers and decorators, and home fashion aficionados alike, catch the summary of the “Design as Art” trend here, as identified at imm cologne by their Trendboard of international experts. View some product examples and learn the catchphrases, colors, motifs, details, and shapes that coincide with this theme.

Pillows from SUNANDA HALDER

Happycalypse

Paris — This may seem a bit dark and creepy, at least that is the initial response when one walks through the trend display. Music that might be found in a haunted house amusement ride prickles one’s spine. But upon closer inspection there is an element of humor laced throughout the products. Come explore François Bernard’s Happycalypse as seen at Maison&Objet and learn how it ties into tomorrow’s trends.

Festins

Paris — This is certainly a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach. And it is most definitely not for the faint at heart. In this dining world created by Elizabeth Leriche with the culinary skills of Marc Bretillot visitors could whet their appetite and see the latest in tabletop and housewares on offer at Maison&Objet. Also learn which trends tie into the outside world.

Funk Shui

Paris — The Home Observatory, which monitors the lifestyle changes and shifts every season to develop a theme that summarizes future aspirations, cultivated the theme Célébration for this edition of Maison&Objet. Definitely not appropriate for all, the Nelly Rodi Agency presented an edgy way to present some of the latest collections seen at the fair. Come on in and join the adults-only party at Funk Shui.

The first doubly functioning doorstop, Porter!

New Talent: Bringin'em to Ya!

Cologne — This feature highlights what Trendease found to be the best of best featured at the inspired by cologne forum where “up-and-coming designers” showcase their work to trade visitors. Here subscribers can see forward-thinking design in the areas of furniture, lighting, floor coverings, upholstery, and more. If you cannot go to the designers, we bring the designers to you!

EcoChic: New Products & Products Made New

Worldwide — Trekking through the trade shows, the Trendease Team was tuned into who was acting in an eco-chic manner. In this article we wanted to tip our caps to some students, new talent, and companies that are leading us towards a bright future. This accompanying photo gallery demonstrates that products can be both ecological and beautiful, and even old cans and light bulbs can be shaped to form not only interesting, but useful products.

Hadid's tea and coffe tower

Her Ideal House

Cologne — The Ideal Houses at imm cologne always pull a crowd. This year the houses were centrally positioned on the Messeboulevard which connects the north and south halls of the fairgrounds. London-based architect Zaha Hadid shared her visions of the future in one house, while Japanese designer, internationally renowned for his creations for Muji, Naoto Fukasawa was the visionary of the other house. See Hadid's house up close and personal here.

Posting Adaptive Reuse

Cologne — Once a hustling and bustling post office located across from the Cologne exhibition center, the former Deutsch Post building has been transformed into Design Post, a permanent showroom for 24 of Europe’s leading manufacturers of design. It also happens to be a place that pulls traffic from imm cologne show.

NEWSLETTER #159

Cologne — This week’s newsletter gallery features Naoto Fukasawa’s Ideal House. Fukasawa currently is director of AAD Studios in Japan and also runs has his own practice, which designs for brands such as B&B Italia. While both Ideal Houses were far from kitsch, Fukasawa’s space had a more Zen feel over Hadid’s organic forms. See the modern Zen design habitat and all the products it contained in this gallery and read tidbits on powerful camera phones, technocrat music, and a new retail city.

CHIC FRIVOLTY

NEWSLETTER #160

Hanover — The Trendease Team has ventured into the interior worlds of the Stockholm Furniture Fair and Ambiente in Frankfurt. We crossed paths with many of you, and your smiles and feedback brightened our days. In fact, we always like to hear your comments and suggestions, and we hope that you will enjoy the new Trendease.com upgrades that will be implemented over the course of the year. In this gallery get the scoop on the hottest carpets and latest trends presented by Ulf Moritz.

The Cake Box by S.design | CMA Associates Agency

NEWSLETTER #161

Paris — This week’s newsletter is a lesson for retailers on “the best way to showcase the indispensable products you find in every store.” Using the three top-selling products three design agencies and one designer have come up with nine solutions as shown in the vignettes displayed in this week’s gallery. Also learn the golden rules as laid out by the four above-mentioned experts.