Market Report — Dallas

By Maria Weiskott and Caroline Kennedy -- Gifts and Dec, 6/26/2007 2:18:00 PM

June 26, 2007 — The Dallas summer gift market may wind down today, but at the same time the marketplace is just winding up. Retailers are wound up and reinvigorated with new product and fresh merchandising ideas. Vendors are wound up, counting receipts. 

As for the DMC itself, the staff there is chalking this market up as a success. Nevertheless, the DMC will send out its traditional survey to all attendees, asking for feedback. And feedback it gets: some 30 percent of surveys are returned completed – a remarkable average these days, when everyone is over-scheduled. But the feedback is important, so important that DMC President and CEO tells Gifts & Decorative Accessories that he reads every single return.

ART TO LIVE IN
Those who attended Saturday’s keynote address, “Total Design,” by Irish designer Clodagh, are sure to take home some fresh ideas. Adhering to the philosophy of creating environments that are “art to live in,” Clodagh illustrated the concept by describing how she works with her clients to develop the vision of a project. She then presented some examples of her creations.

Clodagh delivers keynote address

Clodagh’s work is known for sensitive use of natural materials — a concept that is at the forefront of eco-consciousness these days. Her approach and use of these materials gives her work a distinctive look and feel; she was also one of the first designers to incorporate Feng Shui principles in her designs. It was Clodagh’s unique work that garnered New York retailer Felissimo a GDA Merchandising Achievement (forerunner to the REA) Gold Award for Store Design in 1994.

Dining By Design Black and White

There were ideas to be gained from the “Dining by Design” vignettes as well. For the second year, the DMC was host to the DIFFA (Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids) event, “Dining by Design.” Sponsored by the magazine, Elle Décor, to raise funds for amfAR — the American Foundation for Aids Research — the event challenges designers to create themed table environments that people actually dine at.

Dining By Design tablesetting

The table settings were on view during the market; arranged in the Atrium of the Trade Mart and viewed from above, the tables created a feast for the eyes as the designers let their imaginations take flight, creating fanciful yet practical settings.

NEW AND NOTABLE
A new collection of leather bound journals, albums and accessories from Raika are particularly handsome, with leather embossed and colored in a natural, reptile-like pattern enhanced with gold highlights. The gold adds and luster to the surface, adding dimension to the texture of the design.

Felt pillows, totes and notecards from newcomer Branching Out

Branching Out, a line of attractive felt totes, pillows and notecards, is another newcomer we saw. Inspired by the designs of Hable Construction, Debbie Johnson, formerly a floral designer, started the company a year ago. Her idea is to create products that reflect her personal aesthetic. Her designs are fresh, with simple geometrics and classic, sophisticated styling.

Oka B introduced solid colors, including blue and a deep red, in its thong line of spa footwear. New ribbon designs decorate the ribbon-tied slides, and the houndstooth pattern has been particularly popular. The spotted cat design and a new polka dot design also caught our eye. In the works for a fall introduction: a wedge style and a small heel with the same comfortable PVC material and built-in massage feature.

Speaking of feet, Red Carpet Studios has Fuzzy Footies, a cool slip-on slipper with non-skid bottoms, that comes in both adult and kid sizes. They also come in an array of colors, stripes and color blends.

Wedding card with handkerchief from The LuRay Collection

The LuRay Collection transported us back to the 1950s. The company’s booth bustled with customers surveying the vast selection of handkerchiefs and fine linen accessories. Patterns included sweet feminine florals reproduced or inspired by the original ’50s handkerchiefs in owner Carolin Druzianich’s extensive vintage hankies collection. Newly offered is a wedding keepsake card with a bridal hankie folded on the cover of the card to represent the dress of the illustrated bride. Besides handkerchiefs, LuRay offers tea towels and pillow cases, as well as “basket” containers made of handkerchief fabric over a wire frame. On display was a preview of a “dainty vintage apron” set for launch at a future show. The apron, inspired by original 1950s home-sewing patterns, hearkens back to Ozzie and Harriet and Father Knows Best.

Another entertainment icon, the Duke himself, got the star treatment from The Lyon Company, which is marking John Wayne's 100th anniversary year with a selection of memorabilia and collectibles for fans.

John Wayne collectibles

Beaded, fringed and ruched evening bags by Letty Designs also transported us back to the ’50s, when women got “dressed up” just to go to the local supermarket. Bags came in unusual shapes and sizes as well as the familiar rectangles and squares, all with beautiful bead and appliqué work.

C. Marie brings back the romance of the hand-written note in luxurious stationery sets that include a special bottle of stationery perfume to scent the paper. There are three indulgent fragrances: Platinum, Champagne, and Cashmere; each gift set comes in a handsome box with a bottle of scent and 18 notecards. Buyers have two different notecard collections to choose from for each scent.

Art Encounter framed stone lithograph and Keepsafe Art Boxes

Violet Love, a new company that we first discovered at the Boston Gift Show was doing brisk business in Dallas. Colorful headbands are both fashionable and practical. Rebecca Michaels told Gifts & Decorative Accessories about interest in her product after one of our previous show reports. She said it took her weeks to respond to all the inquiries that the show and our report generated. That’s good business, and by the look of her booth, she’ll continue to be busy filling orders. Her headbands are lightweight and comfortable, appropriate for pool or party.

It is often difficult to find masculine decorative accessories that appeal to women as well. However, the offerings at Art Encounter fit the bill to tee. Keepsafe Art Boxes come in a pecan or black lacquer finish, and feature images of original artwork on the lid. Times Past Antiquities framed wall art pieces feature original antique stone lithographs mounted in custom-cut mat designs. And don’t overlook the hand-carved wooden letter openers.

Printer Blocks From Primitives by Kathy

Speaking of wood, we were particularly struck by the Printer Blocks line from Primitives by Kathy Each wall plaque is distinctive — and reminiscent of the hot type once used by typesetters to lay out newspaper pages. The line moved so well during the winter market season that new designs are being introduced this summer.  

NEW AND errrr….ahhhh UNUSUAL
Poo-Pourri from S2 Synergy is for application before bathroom use. The spray is made from a citrus blend of essential oils. Oh, and the line includes scented toilet tissue. (Don’t blame us, we’re just reporting!)

On trend with fairies, angels and butterflies: winged espresso cups from The Sarut Group. Come in several colors to match any decor.

Winged Espresso Cups From Pylones, Paris

Doggie Dumplings and Monkey Tarts for the pet set from La Bella Bistro are treats that are guaranteed to be made from 100 percent human grade ingredients, with no added chemical preservatives.

The Kissable Combo, from the Cain & Able Collection, is another product for the pet set — this time focusing on dental hygiene. The combo includes a three-headed toothbrush and all-natural vanilla/tea tree oil toothpaste. No more doggy breath!

See you in Atlanta!

(Look for DoubleTake Dallas in your email box next week.)