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Frankfurt

By Kerstin Männer -- Gifts and Dec, 12/1/2008 12:00:00 AM

For 2009, fast, first impressions are out; an eagerness to take a second look is in. The shift in design is away from “fast pace” impressions and illusion toward looks that symbolise coolness, ease and responsibility. Elements of this trend include detail-happy creativity and playful individualism, combined with high-statement materials, along with a mix of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. The focus is on collectors and cherished items, which add a certain 'je ne sais quoi' to any style in terms of individuality, rather than representative pieces.

The key trends for everything to do with living, giving, cooking and indulgence are Feel Grace, Enjoy Calm, Stay Essential and Think Romantic. These four themes represent a new equilibrium between speed and continuity, authenticity and playful ease.

Feel grace

Feel grace is the diva of the trends. Graceful, faux-couture and feminine, with the distinctive feature being luxurious chic, surprising material mixes and casual, self-evident classicism. Pale gray, white and cream enter into a seductive liaison with pastel lilac and sea green.

Stay essential

Minimalist design, ornamental modernity and a combination of functionalism and decoration are the hallmark of this complex, high-statement trend. The iridescent, milky cream color palette metamorphoses from gray to natural shades in cool to warm tones. More than anything else, a rich black sets impressive accents on creamy berry shades.

Enjoy calm

Enjoy Calm is synonymous with a solidarity with nature, creativity and uncomplicated authenticity. The joy of life explodes in an energy-charged color palette. Orange and the primary colors red and blue invade this nature-based style, which with its stripes, lines, checks and flowers, illustrative artwork, manual craftsmanship and multicolored effects is younger and more carefree in appearance than ever before.

Think romantic

One can dream! Of meadows, animals, the sun and sky, distant lands, and good fortune closer to home. Informal joie de vivre and romanticism dance alongside countless floral interpretations and contemporarily interpreted souvenirs from the 1950s and 1960s. Punched patterns, lace and insect motifs combined with enamel, paste and glass beading are whimsical and feminine in effect, for jewelry and home accessories. The colors are fresh, floral and pastel.

The German design team “Stilbüro bora.herke” identified the new styles on behalf of Messe Frankfurt. The international design team takes its inspiration from major architectural, design and fashion trends, as well as European cityscapes. Commenting on the trends for 2009, Claudia Herke said, “Higher, faster, further — curiosity, competitiveness and a love of variety repeatedly take us into exciting, uncharted territory. At the same time, we are aware of the negative effects of our fast forward mentality. A feeling of disorientation and being rushed sets in and the desire for security and constant values grows. But this reaction is not simply a return to traditional virtues, but a modern version of them.”

The next Ambiente fair takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, February 13–17, 2009.

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