England

Giving the finger to The Man is not something that goes hand-in-hand with the perception of Britain as a genteel, tea-drinking nation. But a war against monotony is being waged, and affecting everything from home interiors and kitchenware to gifts and greeting cards.

Global trend analyst WGSN.com has narrowed next year's trends down to three strands per season. Good Life, Coast and Fundamental will dominate interiors and gifts in spring/summer, while for autumn/winter, tastes will shift towards Curated, New Frontiers and Elusive trends.

• Good Life takes inspiration from the glamorous beach resorts of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s translated into glossy, vibrant or metallic colors splashed on pleated, quilted fabrics and silks.
• Coast takes product back to the simplicity of childhood holidays. Nostalgia, nature and ecological awareness are key, with the elemental design of Scandinavia serving as a strong reference point. Colors are calm and natural, falling effortlessly onto reclaimed materials and delivering the illusion of handicraft.
• Fundamental is a trend that falls in line with the love of nature, but which also focuses on paring cultured products from rugged, sustainable materials such as clay, leather and hemp. Rich, naturalistic mid-tones play out on patterns inspired by early civilizations and animal patterns.
• In the second half of the year, Curated echoes the rebellion against mass production, and champions handmade pieces and the stories behind the products. Reflecting the change of the seasons, Curated's color scheme is rustic and autumnal, following through to floral, art-led and illustrative patterns on comfortable materials.
• Elusive is again rooted in nature, using pastels to give coarse, natural materials a romantic gilt. Products are pared down, shying away from over-design, to bolster a sense of calm and create a contemplative mood.
• New Frontiers boldly challenges staid aesthetics to add an architectural twist to design. These art-led products challenge and excite with a range of primary colors and graphics. Materials include mosaics and mixes of synthetics with natural materials forming key looks in the trend.

British-designed products not only tap into the handmade, homegrown trends of next year, but also muster an aura of grandeur and prestige. This association with nostalgia and history of the British Isles will help U.S. retailers fetch a premium price.

Handcrafted, unique, ecologically aware products with a Rule Britannia spirit are set to dominate shelves in the U.K. Taking this trend across the waves to the U.S. could well make for a profitable investment, as the anti-establishment culture sweeps through the gift and interiors markets.

Next fair: Spring Fair Birmingham, February 3–7, 2008.