30th Sep. '08 • More on Color Trends • Tags: fashion, Trends
Filed as Just read
Fashion plays an important roll in defining color, texture and style trends for every market. JC Reports, Inside Global Fashion Trends, published a three part article discussing trend perspectives. How are countless sources of images and influences dictating what is stylish?
These posts seem to have set off quite a debate (more…)
29th Jul. '08 • Trends • Tags: color forecast, fashion, red, Trends
Filed as Color fun
I had to laugh when I read the response UK Telegraph columnist Hadley Freeman gave her reader to their fashion question. She pokes fun at trend forecasting in ‘Recession chic’
In the red: apparently scarlet pieces are a sign of the recession
Question:
I read in last week’s Guardian that it’s necklines, not hemlines, that reflect the world’s economy. Are there any other fashion signs about global finances? (more…)
7th Apr. '08 • Interior & Exterior Color • Tags: thailand, Trends
Filed as Just read
Colourful look gaining ground in Thai design world
According to an article in the April 5th Bangkok Post more homeowners are getting bolder with their choice of colors
While neutral schemes continue to dominate the interior, a subtrend has emerged with a bold few souls opting for bold, bright colours in their decor.
An increasing number of design clients are looking for bright colours — especially in their living rooms.
Contrary to what one might expect, the fad for brighter hues in Thailand does not just appeal to the younger generation as age does not seem to be a factor.
23rd Feb. '08 • Trends • Tags: identity, second-life, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
We are in an age where creating our own reality has been an idea that has taken hold and it is easy to forget that this is a relatively new thought.
Our parents or grandparents and those before them wouldn’t have even considered that their thoughts could directly influence their physical world yet today it is widely accepted that we are who and what we think we are.
What we are still trying to figure out is how to channel our thoughts to create the life we desire. While many seek to understand this on a spiritual level, some see it as a means of achieving their goals for material success and many others simply accept the concept without the need for self-reflection..
We experience a ‘second life’ whether through technology and the virtual world, dining experiences, fantasy or hands-on vacations and often just through the music we chose to listen to, the clothes we put on or the elements we bring into our homes.
We have amalgamated our identities by blending our physical world with our mental reality, our cultural roots branch out to absorb other cultures further blurring the boundaries of where we came from and instead expecting to be accepted for who we have chosen to be.
22nd Feb. '08 • Trends • Tags: brand, environment, green, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
Our focus on the environment is nothing new but it is important from a trends perspective to note that a shift in attitude has taken place.
While most consumers have agreed for some time that care and renewal of our natural environment is an issue that needs to be addressed until recently only a small number of individuals proactively took responsibility for making changes in the way they lived and worked.
This attitude has changed and currently many people now feel that simply voicing a concern isn’t enough and that each and every one of us must actively make changes in our homes and workplaces in order to ‘do no harm’.
Government leaders too have become more engaged in sustainability issues with politicians talking ‘green’. New legislation requiring businesses to operate with environmental consciousness has companies scrambling to keep up.
Companies that are ahead of the curve are touting their environmental savvy as a way to attract like-minded customers and stand above their competitors. In the near future however business operating in a way that supports sustainability will become a given in the minds of consumers and business leaders will need to add environmental best practices to an already long list of customer expectations.
For many companies this means implementing new processes but for others it will be more challenging and require developing new technologies, rethinking operations and reformulating products. All of this while keeping the end product or service priced competitively. This is one tall order to fill and unless tackled with keen insight an organization could put themselves out of business trying.
But try they will because this business eco ego is being fueled more by customers and their own eco ego than by legislation. Consumers taking positive action want to proudly shows off their environmental responsibility and their ability to reduce their carbon footprint through the products and services they chose.
While the environmental movement has spurred us to take a less self-centered and broader view of the long-term impact each of us has on the world we haven’t left behind our need for recognition. The paradox is that often the same people that feel most driven to make a significant difference also the same ones that want to be recognized for how brightly their halo glows.
It seems that keeping up with the Jones has become keeping up with the ‘Greens.’
TrendHunter.com is the world’s the world’s largest community dedicated to trend spotting & cool hunting.
Breakthrough ideas and strategic advantage hinge on the ability to anticipate trends and identify the next big thing. By tracking the evolution of cool, Trend Hunters generate ideas, stimulate creativity, and ultimately unlock cool. (more…)
10th Dec. '07 • Trends • Tags: blue, Color Trends, pantone, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
Pantone has selected its “Color of the Year” for 2008: Blue Iris Pantone 18-3943.
The company said the blue-purple blend combines “the stable and calming aspects of blue with the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple,” and suggested this hue “satisfies the need for reassurance in a complex world, while adding a hint of mystery and excitement.”
“Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. She said Blue Iris “best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products.”
Eiseman added, “Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic.”
More on Pantone’s color of the year on Live In Full Color…
1st Dec. '07 • Fashion & Beauty • Tags: blue, Color Trends, fashion, pantone, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
The latest color trends forecast released by Pantone shows what they report to be the ten hottest colors for Spring 2008.
See the colors and download a copy of the report here…
20th Nov. '07 • Trends • Tags: home, materials, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
Here is a well done summary of key product trends for kitchen and bath countertops that was a sidebar to the Product Trend Report at Kitchen & Bath Design News.
Kitchen and Bath Countertop Material Trends at a Glance
Read the complete article at Kitchen & Bath Design and see the Product Photo Gallery…
19th Nov. '07 • Products & Packaging Color • Tags: Books on Color, Trends
Filed as Kate Smith
Reading Matters editor Kimbofo noticed an interesting trend while visiting her local bookstore.
The colors used on the covers of about 25% of the latest releases of hardcover fiction books were amazingly similar– variations of black, grey, red, and pink.
Above are some of the covers currently on display. Thanks for sharing this interesting color observation!
P.S. It appears that Kimbofo was ahead of the trend curve when she chose these colors for the Reading Matters site.
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