Florence Revisited
A lot of craftsmanship, but little whimsy at the fall show
By Carole Sloan -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 12/1/2001
If anything, the Florence Gift Mart this fall reinforced Italy's strengths in the gift, silver, home accessories, and lighting arenas. Embellishment, craftsmanship, and an appreciation for quality production and luxurious design were in full evidence. There were new directions in design and materials, but also a noticeable absence of the whimsy and humor typically found at Italian gift and accessories exhibitions.
Among the directions were:
- Scale. Larger-than-life tabletop and accessory statements; unique glass pieces as well as chandeliers large enough for palazzos.
- Elegance. Gilt filigree, pearlescent and iridescent treatments of glass; exuberant embellishments of appliques—both metal and textile—and wire spirals and curlicues.
- Pewter. Joining the long list of important metals, pewter was used in contemporary designs, especially serveware.
- Ethnicity. Specifically derivative designs from Africa combined with less specific European design influences that integrated materials from non-European sources.
- Candles. This ubiquitous but very key category has moved from the mainstream, with unique and sculptural shapes that offered a fresh take.
- Clocks. Clocks assumed a new fashion role as a number of design companies included clocks among the many pieces in their accessory and tabletop collections.
- Color. Purple, from the palest shades to deep, robust aubergine, was the color family of the show.
The next Florence Gift Mart will take place February 15–18, 2002.
