It may seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but the
fall buying shows are quickly approaching and the holiday season will
soon be upon us. While you can never go wrong with the traditional green
and red, each year holiday trends change and it’s up to you to present
shoppers with the latest and greatest.
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It may seem a little early to start thinking about Christmas, but the
fall buying shows are quickly approaching and the holiday season will
soon be upon us. While you can never go wrong with the traditional green
and red, each year holiday trends change and it’s up to you to present
shoppers with the latest and greatest.
Messe Frankfurt’s Christmasworld was held in Frankfurt, Germany early
this year from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2. The tradeshow is the leading event for
festive decorations and showcases the top trends in holiday florals,
giftware, candles, festive lighting, fireworks and more. Spanning six
floors, it’s the place to source out the upcoming holiday trends. Each
year, the show invites designer Claudia Herke from the bora.herke style
agency to speak with show-goers about what colours, looks, textures and
styles will be popular with consumers in 2010 and 2011. After looking at
what’s happening in fashion, art, architecture, furniture and street
design, the agency develops four trend stories. Here are the themes that
were presented at this year’s Christmasworld.
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Authentic
This theme uses a reduced design that combines both traditional style with modern concepts. It’s a rediscovery of the value of craftsmanship and objects that radiate character. Think relaxed, plain, natural and clean materials that feature pure shapes and natural styling. Garden flowers are popular in this category as are dried flowers and delicate grasses. Authentic colours include a deep, olive green, beige, muted yellow and dark blue.
Materials, finishes and designs: The materials are unaffected, simple, natural and have a strong recycled element, with a used or aged look. Other styles include wood in light shades and bleached looks, linen and coated linen, soft cotton, heavy denim, check patterns, glass that’s clear, tinted, etched or textured, stylized floral motifs, hand-drawn sketches and pencil and ink drawings.
Optimistic
This trend story features a bold styling that is vivid and powerful. Intense hues such as orchid, aquamarine blue, canary yellow and coral pink provide the palette for ‘optimistic’. This is a playful theme that encourages people to try new things and combine unconventional materials. Objects are reused in a new way to create imaginative decorations and a unique look.
Materials, finishes and designs: The materials are lively, creative and unconventional. They use a combination of both artificial and handcrafted looks. Other styles include: plastics, foils, vinyl coatings, glittering and shimmering combined with dull and matte, knitted and crocheted, tassels, fruit and flowers, dot patterns and kaleidoscopic effects.
Eccentric
This category is illustrated through exotic colours like amber, crimson, dark ruby red and olive green (‘Eccentric’ trend display shown in the picture on the left). The products are extravagant, yet nothing looks overdone as they are still feminine and elegant. The floral elements are exotic and feature unusual flowers and combinations – these opposites are what make the designs so interesting. Jewels, gems and extra glossy finishes add glamour and excitement to this theme.
Materials, finishes and designs: The materials in this theme are a combination of different cultures and are both striking and varied. Other styles include: strongly textured surfaces such as velvet, velour and fur, metallic surfaces, crystal and unusual glass art, feathers, painted wood beads, embossed leather and reptile designs and paisley patterns or animal fur looks.
Graphic
Under the graphic category, the designs are modern and minimalist. The colours that embody this theme are ultra white, black, pearl, gold and silver. This is a pure style that features fonts and graphic motifs, dynamic patterns and graphic elements. Gold and silver are used in unexpected ways to create abstract shapes and optical illusions. The proportions are balanced and light is manipulated to create shadows and shapes that are like flowers.
Materials, finishes and designs: The materials are high-quality, reduced and contrasting. Other styles include: delicate and clear glass, high-gloss surfaces, metallic finishes, dot motifs, line, flicker effects, stripes with movement effects, perforated surfaces, nets and tulle and soft, checkboard patterns and grids.
| Trends in Christmas trees The Christmas tree – one of the most identifiable signs of the holidays – is a product that’s a natural fit for garden centres. Buying the annual tree can become a tradition that brings families to your operation year after year. Norman MacIsaac, marketing manager of the Northeastern Christmas Tree Association in Goshen, N.S., says that when it comes to what consumers look for in a tree, the darker blue and green trees are most in demand and Canadians usually opt for tree species such as Balsam Fir or Fraser Fir. The ideal shape of a holiday tree is a narrower, tapered look that doesn’t occupy a lot of space. The tree is sheared and trimmed in such a way to minimize shedding and for ease of decoration. One trend that is on the rise in the Christmas tree market are tabletop trees. Bob Ceh, the Canadian representative for The Kirk Company and Teufel Holly Farms Inc. says the company’s Elf Tree, which measures 28-inches to 38-inches tall is a great size for students, seniors and apartment dwellers who may not have room for a full size tree. The tabletop trees are also a great item to place in another area of the home to spread holiday décor throughout the living space. Both Ceh and Maclsaac say the best way to position Christmas trees in your garden centre is to place them in a visible, high-traffic area. The most expensive trees should be positioned in the front. MacIsaac advises retailers not to open too many trees at once and to rotate the trees to maintain a fresh selection. |
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