Relax / Recharge

Colour can affect our mood and emotions. Colour can energise or calm, relax or stimulate, even anger or subdue – contrary to popular belief, it has been proved that blue light can energise and red light can calm. From ombrés to tonal gradients, varying shades of reds or blues are applied to hard and soft materials alike, as well as spaces, to create all-consuming, energy-impactful environments. Relax/recharge is a transformative design direction that harnesses the power of colour to bring energy balance to over-stimulated, urbanised lifestyles. This is materialising as a total immersion in colour – walls, floors, furniture and fittings are saturated with single hues in multiple tones within the red and blue spectrums. 

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Perfect Imperfection

A return to the artisanal and the crafted sees the emergence of a perfectly imperfect design direction. In a reaction to the oversaturation of mass-produced goods, the revival of ancient craft techniques lends enhanced narrative and meaning to objects. Indigo, one of the oldest dyes in the world, is embraced by a wave of contemporary brands and designers, as they revisit the craft of indigo dyeing, celebrating the imperfections and graduated hues of this deep shade of blue. An embodiment of the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi (accepting imperfection), materials and products bear the marks of their making, embracing visible brushstrokes, stitching and joinery, a poetic documentation of their creation. Appealing on two levels, the direction speaks of historical revival in print and pattern and classic durability by way of workwear-inspired functional twill.

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Soft Minimal

In an age of increased urbanisation and space shortages, people are paring down, cutting back and decluttering in order to fit their lifestyles and personal expressions of identity into smaller homes. Fabric is subtly multifunctional and adaptable. It can be moved from space to space to lend a sense of home to new environments. Devoid of unnecessary decoration, products are composed of intelligent material combinations that complement their functionality. Soft Minimal focuses on interiors and products that offer beautifully designed, simple, elegant solutions to be cherished for a lifetime, rather than discarded and replaced on a seasonal basis.  

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Adapt + Assemble

Destined for nomadic living, an Adapt and Assemble design direction demands furnishings and fabrics that are made to move. Modular designs incorporate simplified joining and construction methods for easy assembly. Designs are stripped of any unnecessary flourishes or complex detailing. Instead they are made up of geometric, linear interchangeable forms in fabrics that can be packed away for travel. Textile techniques are kept simple and honest; stitching and binding take centre stage. Taking inspiration from standardised industrial and commercial fixtures and fittings, utilitarian materials and techniques are repurposed for scaled-down domestic functionality. Products are assembled and dismantled without fuss or complicated techniques.

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Urban Oasis

We have an inherent connection to the natural world, yet we are living increasingly urban and digital lifestyles, further and further removed from natural habitats. Even a short time spent close to nature can result in an improved sense of wellbeing and designers are increasingly responding to ‘nature deficit’. They are turning interiors into green oases; calm refuges from hard, cold, industrial urban landscapes. Green, the most restful colour to view, is used in design to replenish, nourish and energise our minds and bodies. Lush, tone-on-tone green hues are used to provide a healing, therapeutic and refreshing quality to spaces and products, while textural elements that replicate or mimic nature provide a rich, indulgent feel. Dark forest greens and sages are mixed with dusty roses to add warmth to heavy, luxe fabrics. 

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