Trendspotting at Maison & Objet in Paris

What a month! From San Fran to Paris to Ireland and then NYC! I’m still absorbing it all. My eyes were overwhelmed by such beautiful product and grateful for the opportunity to have so many interesting conversations with fellow colleagues. We discussed what business models have been successful and why, and what opportunities are opening up within the field. Let’s face it: this is a tricky sector, but with determination, patience, creativity, and passion (and ultimately capital) there's always a way. 

I’m excited to share my initial impression to the primary trends that emerged at Maison & Objet. I imagine some of you pay no attention to trends (and I respect that approach), but I always find it interesting to simply know what is happening within the markets because they do have an influence on the market as a whole. Here is a little snapshot of what I saw:

• Companies promoting handmade, sustainable, and cultural heritage seem to be popping up all of the time.
• Prominent materials included velvets, brass, glassware, and wood. Out of all materials, I found porcelain to be most prominent when it came to French makers and designers, with delicate shapes, rough textures, and often more decorative pieces. Mixed metals continue to be strong, along with the mix of porcelain with gold accents.
• Natural fibers and neutral colorways continue to be a prominent theme running through the show, covering most product categories such as basketry, rugs, lighting, and tabletop.
• Black was a dominant color, including black clay tableware, black fiber lighting, and golden metallic against sleek black fixtures, though products in white continue to be a mainstay. It seemed as though consumers are thirsty for product that conveys clean, fresh minimalism.
• Cheerful spring green was also a prominent color thanks to Pantone’s “Greenery” 2017 color of the year. Greenery itself was seen across textures, dining, barware, and more. I saw a lot of hanging gardens, geometric terra-cotta planters, cactuses everywhere, tropical leaves, tree of life patterns, succulents, and ferns to make the interior feel like outside living.
• Lighting continues to be an extremely strong category particularly at Maison. I saw lighting pendants made of raffia, palm, wood, and ceramic in any shape you can imagine.
• Items that look rough and textured, and ultimately handmade, are gaining prominence. Raffia, rattan, palm fiber, wood, terracotta. Rattan not just being used to create patio furniture but lighting, basketry, hampers, and chairs.
• There is also a feeling of luxe, from silks, furs, and velvets to shiny metals and metallics, gems, alabaster, and minerals. 
• My personal favorite: a company called Abbatte, which produces high quality, handmade textiles from Segovia, Spain. Gorgeous! Classic, minimal, timeless, made to last. Cultural heritage and sustainability at its core. www.abbatte.com

Were you there? What are some of the other trends that you spotted? I always love to hear from you! Contact me at info@aowhandmade.com.