I’m thrilled to have once again attended the High Point Market, the largest home furnishings industry trade show in the world, located in High Point, North Carolina. It’s really incredible how trends manage to make their way across categories that are seemingly diverse, like fashion and home décor, but in reality have a lot more in common than they do different! Be it the era that inspiration is derived from, the color, the fabrication, or even overall motif or exotic locale, it’s easier than ever to find parallels between the two, making wearing and living with corresponding concepts quite effortless. Below I’ve listed four trends spotted at the High Point Market that have some evident fashion tie-ins.
Gilded Age
A thin layer of gold provides a gilt look, which was the most common metal hue found on a variety of pieces at the market, ranging from framing to sconces, bar carts and coffee tables alike. From a fashion perspective, the fine, minimalist delicate gold jewelry trend is 100% on par with the Gilded Age aesthetic.
Shell it Out
There was something about clam shells this time around at the market that felt so fresh and oh so very right for the moment. Perhaps it was the fact that they were placed as adornment on everything from frames to lighting, creating a chandelier-like effect in a modern setting (read: NOT beach-themed!) that added to their desirability. The most famous fashion example of shells re-purposing themselves into something sumptuous is the Alexander McQueen razor-clam shell dress from his VOSS spring/summer 2001 collection; isn’t it just stunning?
Industrial Revolution
A return to raw, re-used, and downright durable materials is surfacing in many design mentalities across the contexts, which is no surprise since its simple, straightforward look can certainly be appreciated when the stark look of minimalism has reigned supreme for so long. The pieces that fit into this catogory generally have a more hand-wrought, labored look and feel to them, which ties directly in with the current trend of metalsmithed jewelry, like those handmade by Studebaker Metals.
Animal Party
Which just an accent of animal illustrations, an otherwise conservative living room, bedroom, bathroom, etc can go from mundane to whimsical in a heartbeat. Find pieces that won’t overdo it, such as stacking boxes, wallpaper splayed upon just one wall, or porcelain soap dishes or soap bottles that add a slight wink to an every activity. For its pre-fall 2017 collection, Italian handbag purveyor Furla has splendidly combined florals and four-legged creatures printed on its leather bag signature silhouettes and small leather goods for an ever so slightly statement-making effect.
