Housewares Business-to-business magazine for housewares retailers and their suppliers
Next month’s London trade exhibition Pulse has worked with Unique Style Platform to identify four trend predictions for the seasons ahead.
The four trends highlighted by the fashion and lifestyle industries forecasting service are: Functional, DIY and Botanical for Autumn/Winter 2017/2018 and Retro Pop for Spring/Summer 2018.
Botanical is described as ‘a rich and nourishing palette’ inspired by heritage vegetables, fresh botanicals and perfumed plants.
A vibrant vitamin green combines with sage and tones of almond brown, while deep navy, plum, beetroot and dandelion add depth. Botanical prints cover every surface, combining scattered florals with illustrated herbs and leafy greenery.
DIY is billed as a fun and rebellious mood which focuses on customisation and individuality. The colour palette is vibrant and clashing, with primary brights highlighted with hot pink and mint green.
A flash of ultraviolet provides a pop, while pale blue, nude and navy tone down the palette. Print and pattern is expressive, giving a new urban feel to the maximalist trend. Scribbles, doodles, paint drips and hand markings combine with hyper-real digital artwork.
Functional is ‘a simple and focused mood, where flat colour and bold shapes play a starring role’. Core neutrals of grey and stone are balanced with tonal shades of blush and coral. A soft utility blue, rich red and mustard elevate the palette.
Print and pattern is kept to a minimum, consisting of structural stripes, graphic blocking and modular shapes in subtle shades of colour.
Finally, for Retro Pop, artificial brights dominate the colour palette, toned down with microchip grey, mandarin red and almost black. Magenta, cyan, marigold and lime clash with vibrant shades of violet and indigo.
Print and pattern are key, taking inspiration from retro gaming, futuristic worlds, neon lighting and computer graphics.
As well as these four trends, Pulse will launch further emerging lifestyle trends at the show with a series of on-site installations.
Organised by Clarion Events, Pulse takes place from May 14 to May 16 at Olympia in London. On display will be ‘inspiring new gifts, modern living and fashion accessories’ with a strong emphasis on emerging designer-makers, unseen international brands and new launches.
To visit, register online now for free at www.pulse‐london.com
Tin Can Mugs by StolenForm represent the Functional trend
