ISPO Munich and OutDoor by ISPO announce new calendar as from 2022

Organisers of ISPO Munich and OutDoor by ISPO have announced new dates as from 2022, shifting the trade fairs permanently to the beginning of the winter sports season. 

ISPO Munich 2022 permanently moves from January to November, and OutDoor by ISPO will also be permanently shifted to different dates. 

For 2022, ISPO Munich 2022 will not take place in January, but from 28 to 30 November 2022 (Monday to Wednesday). The new dates for OutDoor by ISPO 2022 is 12 to 14 June 2022 (Sunday to Tuesday) and at the end of May or beginning of June in the following years.

"We respond to the requirements of our customers and break new ground"

Tobias Gröber, Executive Director Business Unit Consumer Goods at Messe München, has revealed that the ISPO team made this decision together with exhibitors, retailers and associations.  He said the fact that their partners from industry, trade and associations are fully behind this decision is also shown by the numerous statements from representatives of the industry expressing their support for the realignment. 

For more details on the strategic decision, click HERE to read the interview conducted by Karsten Lohmeyer for ISPO.com. 

Christmas lights bring on the spirit of the festive season

Christmas lights in London's Oxford Street (above) and
Regent Street (below).
Photos by Lucia Carpio for MyFashionConnectGlobal.

Wonderful to see the Spirit of Christmas returns to London, marking the start of this year's festive season. 

Christmas lights high above Oxford Street and Regent Street bring a hopeful atmosphere to the capital during these challenging times.

"The Spirit of Christmas" scheme returns to London's west end this year, marking the start of the festive season.  The lights are lit from 13 November 2021 until 2 January 2022, with the displays switched on from 2pm to
 midnight everyday for a more sustainable display.

While it is high time we start preparing our Christmas shopping list for friends and loved ones, it is time also to start planning to create that festive spirit home.

At TEXTURED LIVES, founder and interior textile designer Jo McEwan is creating a warm, casual look for Christmas. Keeping with a philosophy that our homes are our sanctuary, she curates an alternative brand that celebrates products that flow effortlessly, creating a calm and comfortable environment in the process.

TEXTURED LIVES  creates a cozy Christmas lifestyle with double faced Charcol throws, Tabia rustic tea lights, Lua green vase, Tabia rustic lights, Abeeko wine glass (set of 4), Fern candle, Kamille embroidery cushion and Mala embroidery cushion.

“I wanted to create a lifestyle experience that brought together beautiful homeware products and my own range of personally designed soft furnishings. My dream is to empower my customers to curate their own beautiful spaces with the reassurance that whatever they choose has been personally and consciously selected or designed. Respect for individuality is of paramount importance to Textured Lives which is why nothing is mass produced and we celebrate organic, not prescriptive." said designer Jo McEwan.

Simple additions like cashmere and merino wool throws, antique brass lanterns, rustic tea lights, real moss candles and velvet cushions can make that subtle difference, said Jo. Even adding a tea light or two and a Christmas vase into the bedroom can give us a snuggly new feel for the Christmas period.

Another way to add a Christmas spirit to our interiors is the creative use of candles.

Now artisan candlemakers Cockles and Heart is releasing  its limited edition Christmas candles this week; many of the vintage candles in the Devon company’s gold, frankincense and myrrh range are one-off pieces or available in runs of just 6 candles.

Deep Red Bowl Candle (11.5cm diametre) by Cockles and Heart.
Candle consists of 300ml coconut, rapeseed and extra virgin beeswax;
frankincense, ylang ylang, oregano and lime essential oils;
hand decorated with lavender;
and two pure cotton/linen blend wicks.  Burn time 45 hours

“For Christmas we’ve blended premium oils such as frankincense and myrrh with golden orange, cassia and cardamom to make delicious aromatic candles” says Shona Duncan of Cockles and Heart.  

“To give things a real Christmassy vibe, we’ve specially sourced some fabulous red and gold vintage containers. Many are genuine one-off pieces and when they are sold, they won’t be repeated.”

Cockles and Heart hand pours and individually decorates its candles using a bespoke wax blend infused with pure essential oils.  Its Christmas range features frankincense and  myrrh essential oils and gold and red vintage and upcycled containers.

Spode Songbird Antique candle by Cockles and Heart.
This Spode Cup is over 200 years old and was highly decorated in gold. 
The candle consists of 150ml coconut, rapeseed and extra virgin beeswax; cedarwood, ylang ylang, and bergamot essential oils; hand decorated with rose petals and three pure cotton/linen blend wicks. Burn time 30+ hours

Cockles and Heart sells its candles online  and at Rebel Rebel’s Mare Street Market Shop, London E8, at the Bowie Gallery in Totnes South Devon, UK.

Première Vision Paris reveals new show calendar as from 2022

In the words of Première Vision Paris, they’re “reshuffling the deck, rethinking how to do things, to better meet the needs of the entire industry.”

Première Vision Paris Photo.

As from 2022, Première Vision Paris will be held in February and July, instead of February and September as it had done for many years.

First up in 2022 is their SPRING SUMMER 23 show that will take place 8 - 10 FEBRUARY.  Their AUTUMN WINTER 23-24 show is slated for 5 - 7 JULY.

The new schedule was originally aimed for 2021 but the organisers decided to postpone the plan due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic.  

Now the organisers believe the plans are back on track by predicting a fresh new breeze, and a promise that the new 2022 events will make fashion a celebration with events tailored to the needs of the whole industry.

This change in calendar is a significant one following an in-depth study of the processes by which fashion brands create their collections, said the organisers.  As a result, Première Vision Paris’ schedule was adapted to respond to the growing number of collections, to cope with the acceleration of delivery times and to support your sourcing in the best possible conditions, by facilitating contacts with international suppliers with unique know-hows.

You can find out more about the Première Vision Paris shows by clicking here.

Texworld Evolution Paris will return in February 2022

At last! The horizon is clearing, so announced trade show organiser Messe Frankfurt France, revealing that its flagship show Texworld Evolution Paris will return from 7 to 9 February 2022 for a relaunch show at the Le Bourget Exhibition Centre in Paris. 

In the last 20 months, two sessions of Texworld Evolution Le Showroom were staged in a hybrid format response to the pandemic crisis.  Now Messe Frankfurt France is planning this February 2022 edition to welcome back exhibitors and visitors to Paris Le Bourget. This is a first step towards a return to normality and a resumption of trade.

The international show will welcome exhibitors from major textile and clothing manufacturing countries in a renewed business atmosphere for textile sourcing, all congregating in one meeting place geared for the global fashion and textile industry, from fashion brands, ready-to-wear to luxury. They will provide buyers with a unique forward-looking vision of the creative trends for the spring-summer 2023 season, said organissers

Scheduled to take place are Apparel Sourcing Paris for the sourcing of finished garments sourcing, Avantex Paris for new materials and innovative processes, Leatherworld Paris dedicated to the leather and related materials market, and finally Texworld Paris for textile sourcing.

International exhibitors will be representing Banglasdesh, China, India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Ukraine next February.

Meanwhile, Messe Frankfurt France is expecting its summer 2022 edition of Texworld Evolution Paris in new dates in July, featuring a return to its pre-pandemic size and configuration, additionally it will be held at a new location, the Parc des Expositions at Porte de Versailles, in central Paris for the first time.

Smeg launches ‘70s inspired limited edition Unity fridge in collaboration with Coca Cola

Those of us who are children of the 1970s would remember the iconic Coca-Cola Hilltop television commercial “It’s the Real Thing” in which some 100 young people of different nationalities assembled on a hill top in Italy to sing the catchy jingle “I’d Like to Buy the World a Coke,” which was later released as the song “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing” performed by the folksy Hillside Singers.

Iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles are combined with words and symbols representing the seventies, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across Smeg's  new FAB28 fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.  Image courtesy of Smeg.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Coca-Cola’s Hilltop TV commercial, the company is celebrating with the 1971 Unity Collection, while launching a series of capsule collections with more than 25 fashion, beauty and accessories brands.

Giving Smeg’s signature retro style FAB28 a makeover, the unique Unity design reflects the Coca-Cola TV Hilltop commercial’s theme of peace and harmony through its bold and colourful style,  reminiscent of the 1970s.   With a generous 270 litre capacity and a multi-flow cooling system to ensure the ideal temperature and humidity for food storage, this iconic Smeg FAB28 ‘Unity’ design brings together style with high-performance technology.
Image courtesy of Smeg.

Now the celebrated Italian appliance brand, Smeg, has revealed a new look for its iconic FAB28 Unity fridge, the result of a collaboration with Coca-Cola to mark  the half-century of  its famous Hilltop Commercial.  I remember the amazing impact of the lyrics on the era of folk songs and popular psychedelic culture.  My friends and I would sing along to the legendary tune “in perfect harmony”, and the lyrics are as relevant and powerful today as it was then. 

Featured on the new Smeg fridge are iconic images of Coca-Cola bottles, combined with words and symbols representing the 70s, such as peace signs, flowers and ‘Love’, to evoke an array of nostalgia. The well-known phrase ‘It’s the real thing’ has become a renowned aspect of Coca-Cola’s branding, and is bannered across the fridge in a swirling hue of psychedelic colours. There will also be an official numbered plaque on each fridge to indicate it is limited edition authenticity, with only 25 available to purchase.

The interior also utilises the highest quality design, providing removable glass shelving to maximise and utilise the space to individual needs. There is also a life plus compartment for preserving perishable foods and a fruit and vegetable drawer. Additionally, there is also an icebox for storing ice and frozen foods. 

The special edition Unity fridge will be exclusively available in Smeg’s UK flagship store in London St James and from shop.smeguk.com, where only 25 will be available.

Coke has partnered with more than 25 international brands to celebrate the TV commercial — including Timex, PacSun, Starter, Morphe, Casetify, Funko, Loft, Mark Feldstein, Round 2, AMC Textil, Blue Ocean, Bumpboxx, Castline, Chaser, Fifth Sun, Freman Shoes, Grade Africa, Koolatron, Only & Sons, Picnic Time, PopSockets, Ripple Junction, Rolla’s Jeans, Rookie Roller, Smeg, Spirit Jersey, Tafi AR Samsung, Tai Apparel and Vintage Vending —"to reflect the optimism and unique expression of the original Hilltop campaign,” according to Kate Dwyer in a recent interview with the WWD. 

Commenting on the collaboration, Kate Dwyer, Senior Director of Global Licensing for Coca-Cola says: “These new collections showcase the timeless values of peace, inclusiveness, diversity and optimism”.

Among Smeg’s recent collaboration was with Italian fashion brand Dolce&Gabbana in the creation of 100 numbered fridges, each featuring images by Sicilian artists: lemons, the trinacria (meaning three-pointed, derived from a myth about three nymphs) symbol, cart wheels, medieval knights and battle scenes – all distinctive elements of the poetic marionette theatre and the Sicilian Cart as well as important aspects of the aesthetic
of designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. 
Images of Smeg kitchen appliances in its London flagship are by Lucia Carpio for
My Fashion Connect Global.

The Monkey Puzzle Tree wins "Best in British Product Design" with unique interior fabric

Congratulations to The Monkey Puzzle Tree for winning 'Best in British Product Design' at the prestigious Brit List Awards 2021, judged by a panel including the current and past Presidents of the British Institute of Interior Design.

Metamorphosis linen union upholstery and curtain fabric from The Monkey Puzzle Tree.

The Monkey Puzzle Tree's winning design 'Metamorphosis' is a linen blend inspired by myths, legends and gothic fairy tales designed in collaboration with artist Kirsty Greenwood. The fabric is woven in Scotland and screen printed in Carlisle.

Kirsty used a piece of her own marbling work as the starting point for this free flowing, ethereal pattern. Referencing the work of artists such as Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, the design features gold comets and stars as well as mysterious faces floating within a web of green tendrils and charcoal unicorn horns.

Photograph by Chris Leah.

Metamorphosis is screen printed in a heritage print works in Cumbria onto heavy, unbleached linen union. 

This linen-cotton blend retains the natural colour of the yarn and exhibits occasional slubs and imperfections which adds to the tactile nature of the fabric. 

The combination of metallic, matt and bright inks applied to the linen add depth and interest to the design.

Suitable for curtains and blinds as well as for upholstery and cushions, Metamorphosis is a highly versatile fabric, according to The Monkey Puzzle Tree. 

Metamorphosis was screen printed in a heritage print works in Cumbria, using a unique combination of metallic, matt and bright inks to create depth in the design.

Metamorphosis linen union cushion and Passion flower lampshade by The Monkey Puzzle Tree

It is in neutral tones so it can complement bold schemes, while also works well within a more pared-back room design in which the fabric introduces an element of subtle, intriguing character.  

You can find out more about the design and manufacturing work that went into creating 'Metamorphosis' by watching their video.  Click Here.

The Monkey Puzzle Tree collaborates with artists to create beauty for interiors, from real cork wallpaper to lace.  Founded by Charlotte Raffo in 2017 after she realised that many incredibly talented artists were struggling to make a living, the company pays a generous royalty to support artists to continue with their original practice.

All designs are created and manufactured in the North of England, less than 150 miles from their Leeds studio, supporting traditional industry and ensuring that the fabrics, wallpapers and cushions are made to the highest environmental standards.

Christmas jumper sales kick-start the Christmas shopping season online

Searches for ‘Christmas jumper’ skyrocket 136% in early November after John Lewis Christmas advert released

Christmas Jumper Hanging Ornaments made from a wool blend felt with a polyester padding
and a satin ribbon for hanging, by Cariad in Stitches where handcrafted and personalised gifts for all occasions are made in a home studio in North Nottinghamshire.   Available on The British Craft House website.

Now that Halloween and Bonfire night are behind us, it’s time to refocus our attention to Christmas.  Lately many retailers have started to show their Christmas adverts on British television and online, and these have an impact on our behaviour when it comes to Christmas gift shopping.

Analysis of Google search data reveals that online searches for ‘Christmas jumper’ in the UK skyrocketed 136% on the 5th November, within a day that British home and fashion retailer John Lewis released their Christmas advert featuring a little boy who gives a Christmas jumper to an alien girl.  Entitled "Unexpected Guest", the advert tells how a 14-year-old boy Nathan, who discovers and befriends a visiting space traveller, Skye, and introduces her to the season’s traditions on planet Earth, from decorating the tree to eating mince pies.  In the end when it is time for the alien to leave Earth, the boy gifts her a special Christmas jumper.  This non-gender-specific children's jumper sold out on the John Lewis website within an hour of the advert dropping.  It is in navy blue with green sleeves, and features a Christmas tree embellished with lights.  

Creative resource Design Bundles has revealed in a recent finding that online interest in 'Christmas jumper' skyrocketed to triple the average volume in one day, an unprecedented spike in interest for people googling Christmas jumpers in the first week of November, according to Google Trends analysis.

A spokesperson for Design Bundles, a marketplace for design resources which conducted the study, said: “The John Lewis Christmas advert never fails to signal the start of Christmas in the UK, and is a much-loved tradition for the whole country. It's fascinating to see just how this year's advert has triggered an early spike in searches for Christmas jumpers, given that Halloween is barely over. The fact that the advert itself was released by John Lewis early because of an increase in searches for Christmas-related products on the retailer's website, suggests that we may start to see the UK prepare for Christmas earlier and earlier every year". 

Meanwhile, fair isle jumpers remain a favourite for Christmas gifting, and this tradition continues this season.

Christmas "dinosaur" jumpers for all in the family available at London's National History Museum online.

Over at the Natural History Museum in London, festive dinosaurs Christmas jumper which comes in different sizes so you can dress the whole family from children to adults in matching style. 

What’s more, this British-made Christmas jumper, is knitted from 100% recycled yarn by a small, family-owned business that designs and manufactures knitwear in Leicester, with a focus on reducing its carbon footprint.

The navy, red, green and white pattern features snowflakes, fir trees - and everyone's favourite dinosaurs: Triceratops, Stegosaurus, T. rex and Diplodocus. Even the Museum's famous Hans Sloane nautilus shell appears along the hem and cuffs. 

The material used to make the jumpers is certified by the Global Recycling Standards (GRS) for its 100% recycled contents - a blend of 60% recycled cotton and 40% recycled polyester, the latter made from locally recycled plastic bottles.

Elsewhere, the Faraway Gang offers children's knitwear with a slow fashion approach.

The Faraway Gang jumpers, above and below, are made from all-natural extra-fine merino wool, these jumpers are robust, non-itchy, and ready for adventure, according to founder Sally Jackson.

The Faraway Gang use raw materials and knitting techniques to produce a quality that will stand the test of time, according to the award-winning brand. The jumpers are made from all-natural extra-fine merino wool, all made in the UK.

The Faraway Gang was founded in 2017 by Sally Jackson after becoming a mother for the second time.  Sally, like all mums, sought to get the balance right between having a family and retaining her creativity and independence.  With over 15 years experience as a knitwear designer for some of the UK’s most known brands such as Boden, Great Plains and Joules, interest in her designs were strong. Her first independent range won her a Gold Junior Award within a month of launching her signature style of fair-isle pattern showcasing her natural talent for colour.

From My Mother’s Garden's limited edition prints inspired by the wonders of nature

Christmas is just around the corner and it is this time of the year that we particularly are thinking of our family.  Thus it is understandable that British brand From My Mother’s Garden, which only started in 2019, has been a hit with customers.  

Made of a lightweight sustainable fabric, this long robe/duster coat in one of
From My Mother's Garden's exclusive prints based on a magnolia tree. 

Created by Dorset boutique owner, Penny Callaghan was inspired by her mother’s garden and their close mother & daughter bond, and the happy times they have spent there together.

From My Mother’s Garden is a collection of limited edition kimonos, robes and womenswear featuring sustainable fabrics that capture the vibrant colours and magical beauty of nature.

From My Mother’s Garden’s reversible velvet kimono jacket with a print based on a dandelion clock
in blue and silver print with a midnight blue reverse.

From My Mother's Garden's semi-sheer scarf made of sustainable bamboo in an exclusive
 Wishes print in dark blue and cobalt shades features a dandelion clock. 

From My Mother's Garden Hooded Raincoat - Autumn Leaves
- made of a waterproofed recycled polyester and cotton mix. The raincoat has a detachable hood and a zip and popper fastening.

Founder Penny said the collection was launched just before the first UK lockdown. “Just when I thought everything was lost, I found that as we emerged out of Lockdown into Summer 2020, so did an enthusiasm for the collection. It seemed to resonate with customers either because it reminded them of the bond they had with their mother, or because they loved the nature-inspired themes and colours. Added to which I use where possible, sustainable fabrics and environmentally-friendly manufacturing techniques such as sublimation printing for minimal wastage,” explained Penny.

From My Mother's Garden Bamboo Harmony Scarf

From My Mother's Garden Lightweight Long Robe in a Hydrangea print

From My Mother's Garden Lightweight Kimono in a best-selling print: Waterlily

From My Mother's Garden is now selling in boutiques, art galleries and gift shops around the UK and on its website.