With social media being so ubiquitous, being exposed to the latest trends is inevitable, whether you consider yourself a fashion guru or not. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that there’s an overlap from the clothes we wear to the decor chosen with which we adorn our homes and offices.
The rich fabrics, warm or cold hues and outlandish designs are often adapted and adopted in interior decoration. Even something as seemingly simple as a photo album can be given that extra pizzazz by creating a fantastic series of wall tiles, which not only tell a story, but give an otherwise boring room some much-needed character!
Character and expression of one’s individuality are in fact what’s currently trending on the catwalk as well as in home furnishings. Although trends are, by definition, very fleeting and mutable, this year is defined by a very authentic, adaptable, and sustainable edge that might be with us longer than the usual transient fads we usually partake in.
Curious to know more? Let’s jump straight into this year’s 4 main highlights that connect trends in the fashion and interior design departments.
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Emphasis on Individuality
A core element that connects trends in fashion and interior design is a style that’s expressive of the owner’s unique qualities. Whether an outfit or a decorative object, both are progressively becoming a medium for consumers to express their individuality or project their desired image to the world. Gone are the days when women were expected to wear skirts. As we move towards a more diverse and inclusive society, we’re welcoming unique fashion styles, where fitted is no longer for women only, just as baggy is no longer exclusive to men. And why do we have to define ourselves as men or women, anyway?
In the same way that clothes are becoming even more what makes a man (read: person), we also live up to the saying ‘show me how you live and I’ll tell you who you are’. Who said that pink accents, chandeliers, and floral prints in one’s home furnishings, are tied to a particular gender? And where is it written that cartoon-inspired designs are just for kids? As we embrace the child within us, embody our gender fluidity, and put love into what makes us who we are, we’re witnessing more and more a sense of style inspired by unique, individual qualities.
Sustainable is The New Cool
As sustainability is gaining importance, manufacturers, designers, brands, and consumers are becoming more mindful of their environmental impact. Therefore, both in the wardrobe department and in the interior décor world, we’re welcoming more eco-friendly fabrics, a trend of using recycled materials to create new products, and a move towards digital spaces both to market products and to buy them. This rise in virtual shopping experiences doesn’t only enable more customer autonomy but it also reduces expenses related to physical stores such as rent, maintenance and workers’ salaries.
Trends such as decluttering, minimalism, and swapping items also feed into this trend that encourages less consumption and more sharing, possibly leading to a greener world. As a consumer, beware of companies who tend to greenwash, and for the businesses out there, make sure this is by no means one of your marketing tactics.
Nature as The Ultimate Source of Inspiration
Nature has always been a go-to source of inspiration for creatives. Without a doubt, if there’s one source of inspiration that cuts across styles and designs, whether related to garment fabrics or items to furnish the house, it’s definitely nature!
Being inspired by the same source, it’s no surprise that fashion and interior design have so many elements in common, to the extent that you’d be unable to determine which art style is influencing which. Whether it’s the pattern of a butterfly on a dress or the same color combination of a bird’s feathers on a particular ornament, it’s hard to miss the explicit influence of nature on designers’ creations.
It’s not necessarily a deliberate choice to draw inspiration from nature. Many times it simply takes some time in nature for a particular color, pattern or texture to make its way into a designer’s subconscious and then for it to be manifested in the design of an outfit we wear or an object we use to decorate our house.
A Nod To Handmade and Artisan Products
With a rising trend of “shopping small”, we’re observing a growing appreciation for artisan products that celebrate the main elements discussed above. Since the main hallmarks of handmade and artisan goods are the uniqueness of the product and the use of natural materials, we’re withdrawing from mass production and unsustainable products.
In fact, 2023 is all about adorning our bodies and homes with sustainable materials and items that spell charm, character, originality, and warmth, as opposed to goods that fail to honor the planet and that make our image and the spaces we inhabit look cold, sterile, and all the same.
Whether it’s in the name of higher quality, individualism, sustainability, or supporting the creative community, this newfound appreciation augurs well across the board.
