July 2007 / Desire & Simple Decadence

Jennifer's July Jargon '07

Various / On the Street

The abundant travel of the Trendease Team covers Furnex, 100% Design, and more this month in addition to sneak peaks at A/W 08-09 colors and trends. Not only was “Desire” the theme of this year’s Designer’s Days in Paris, but it appears to be a recurring topic in fashion, decoration, and consumption. But these aspirations and yearnings are very diverse ranging from sensual wishes to a longing to save the planet.

Trendease is launching version 2.0! The fresh look and improved usability in combination with new features, like scrapbook and advanced search options, will bring added value to your Trendease experience. Because we are so excited, as a gift, current subscribers and new accounts will get the scrapbook free for a limited time. Get inspired with the July edition!

This month's Trendease Market Edge PowWows:
- July 7th: Peng Xin International Home Textile Design Peak Forum; Shanghai, China.
- July 15-18th: Manchester Furniture Show and the Halo Furniture Showroom; Manchester, UK

Trendease is always looking for great people. Team positions are open for international account managers and editorial / creative assistants. Please email opportunites@trendease.com.

REPORTING TO INSPIRE,

Jennifer Castoldi,
Chief Creative Director

Download an informative brochure on Trendease (3MB).

Features and Articles

It was amazing to watch a bread delivery boy in Cairo, Egypt

Jennifer's July Jargon '07

Cairo — Egypt desires to be put on the international design map; 100% Design Rotterdam desires to be the best design show in the Netherlands; Object Rotterdam provoked desire; Designer’s Days in Paris was based on “Desire”; eco-chic companies desire to be sustainable; and the Trendease Team desires to inspire you. Included with her thoughts on this edition is a gallery of street culture and Jennifer on a camel.

A Launching Platform

Cairo — Egypt understands that design is a competitive advantage. It is with this understanding that “The Platform” was founded. The Platform is the design section of the Furnex furniture show. A selection of carefully chosen design pieces that have been made in Egypt by Egyptian industrials represents the efforts of the industry’s endeavor to leverage design identity.

3D modular kitchen system is locally made by hand at competitive prices

Hot Potential

Cairo — This review of Furnex sheds light on market shifts and innovative products. The collaborative efforts of the Egyptian furniture producers, international and local design talent, and the governmental support of initiatives have laid the foundation for a bright future. With this in mind, the parties involved comprehend the value of design-forward products and having their fingers on the pulse of the latest market trends.

Sit and Dine with the Dutch

Rotterdam — Object Rotterdam is the first international fair in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on three-dimensional works of art. Contemporary designs, glasswork, ceramics, silverware, autonomous objects, and jewelry from the Netherlands as well as Italy, France, and Belgium were on display at Las Palmas in Rotterdam. This feature takes a look at the saleable items which are pushing the design envelope.

The Still-Life Attributes Kit from Joana Meroz

Objects of Desire

Rotterdam — Tapping into the emotions of consumers is a challenging feat, but a rewarding one at that. Making them feel assures that they are alive. Creations which induce feeling whether it be joy, fear, want, hunger, death, wealth, love, or happiness are pieces which will tap into the trend of emotional consumption. We all have different desires. Some are happy and others lurk closer to the dark side. Within this review objects take on deeper meaning.

Curved Cravings

Rotterdam — Why have a plain vase or decorative accessory when the piece itself can double as a work of art? This gallery reviews some of the more voluptuous and artist offerings available and also questions the authenticity of design stardom while paying homage to some of today’s creative masters.

Sawn iron lacey necklace by Vera Siemund

Wanted Jewels

Rotterdam — The Trendease Team is forever looking for inspiration in some of the least-expected places. And it is a great pleasure to share these discoveries with the Trendease readers in over 80 countries stretching the earth. At Object Rotterdam one could find fashion accessories and jewelry that inspire like no others seen before. From fur necklaces to religious icons, this gallery will inspire more than just jewelry lovers.

100% Design Rotterdam

Rotterdam — For the fourth year in a row the Trendease Team attended the 100% Design show in Rotterdam with the aim of sharing highlights of the show and the best products with our readers spanning the globe. One thing is for certain, over the last four years the show has shifted its gears. It is, however, still worth the trip.

Touch, Caress & Possess

Paris — This year’s Designer’s Days scenography at Artelano was realized by François Delclaux. The idea behind the merchandising was to give the visitors the desire to touch, caress, and possess the “precious and unique” products from internationally acclaimed designers such as Piero Lissoni, Patricia Urquiola, Shin Azumi, Christophe Pillet, and Oliver Gagnère.

Scenes of Passion

Paris — Cassina’s shop transformation under the theme of desire was the best of them all. Each visitor was put in the position of a Peeping Tom, otherwise very little of the product was seen. Walls with strategically-placed holes called to people as they descended or ascended the staircases. Once one would peer into a hole an entire world of pleasure was revealed in room settings merchandised with Cassina’s offerings.

Showers & Growth

Worldwide — Trendease has a sneak peak of what is in store for Le Cuir à Paris trend directions for Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 to be shown during PV Pluriel in September 2007. This fashion information is geared towards the leather markets including ready-to-wear, decoration, footwear, leather goods and gloves. This preview includes a description, buzzwords, color theme and Pantone color references.

Knotted Turbulence

Filtered Brights

Radioactive Spells

Worldwide — Trendease has a sneak peak of what is in store for Le Cuir à Paris trend directions for Autumn/Winter 2008-2009 to be shown during PV Pluriel in September 2007. This fashion information is geared towards the leather markets including ready-to-wear, decoration, footwear, leather goods and gloves. This preview includes two descriptions, buzzwords, color theme and Pantone color references.

EcoChic: Haute Green

New York — HauteGREEN 2007 promised to be inspirational to all who would attend. Back for its second year, showcasing the best in sustainable design for the contemporary home, the curated collection featured over 70 eco-friendly pieces chosen from a pool of 241 submissions from established and emerging designers from around the world. Avoid the crowds and take a personal virtual tour of highlights from the collective.

New Talent: Ripe for the Picking

Cairo & Giza — Egypt may not be the best location to find raw materials, but it is a place rich with design talent that is ripe for the picking. When talking with the talent entering the marketplace they are excited at the possibility of designing for international companies as well as supporting their home country’s manufacturers.

Slithering Pizza

Paris — Bet you never thought that a snake would be delivered inside of a pizza box! Ron Arad’s PizzaKobra is a multi-functional light which twists and turns and mesmerizes like a cobra dancing. This coiled lamp can be arranged in a variety of angles suitable for reading, accent lighting, or sheer entertainment. Trendease had a sneak peak at this slithering style which will be available this fall.

Godes Save the Queen

Paris — The Queen looks a bit flushed. At Silvera, Christian Ghoin welcomed 12 French designers to defy the laws of attraction and invited visitors to fantasize while viewing the Godes Save the Queen exhibit. Toys became art in various materials, shapes, and sizes. Subscribers can peak behind the black curtain in this photo gallery of desire.

SensualiTea & Silver Lining

Paris — Eating your words and playing with your food. Well that is Alessi’s angle on marketing a range of tabletop collections under the title SensualiTea in their shop windows in Paris’ eighth arrondissement. Pieces from 1945 to 2007 cluster in the windows in a school of silver and white. Also focusing on objects of desire is Christofle. Both design leaders can be seen here.

NEWSLETTER #179

Paris — This week’s gallery is not only filled with happy colors found within vibrant textiles, fashion accessories, and tabletop, it also continues with the theme of desire. For two centuries Europeans and Africans have been relishing the batik designs of Indonesia. During colonization the British and Dutch came to love designs resulting from this wax-resist dyeing technique. Today is no different. The fabrics have always been rich with culture, and now they are rich in desire.

NEWSLETTER #180

Paris — Subscribers can look (or not for those who may be put off by free artistic expression) at how a carpet’s design can push the boundaries of desire. And to be honest, while visiting the showroom the illustration on the carpet was not seen until looking at the thumbnail images back at our creative office. The theme of desire continues in this week's newsletter.

NEWSLETTER #181

Paris — In this week’s gallery simple decadences can be found within the new fashion ranges from Swarovski—a stark, black wall impaled with self-indulgent crystal chunks and lighting that mimics the sky. Subscribers can view new prêt-a-porter for the table, star-studded textiles, wall designs, hand bags, lighting and more along with the latest tidbits on marketing and branding.

NEWSLETTER #182

Paris — For those of you longing for vacation may the black lava sands found strewn on the floor within the textile showroom in this week’s gallery take you to a fantasy world, if only for a moment. Subscribers can view how two of the hottest textile showrooms are hanging their threads and read up on some industry inside information in this week’s newsletter.