Joyful colours and bold mood-boosting patterns drive the Lifestyle trend

Taking the cue from the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama new collaboration, the design trend for 2023 is gearing towards "Colour" to bring much-needed JOY into our interior space, adding a sense of fun, cheerfulness and positivity to our fashion and contemporary lifestyle.  A very welcomed trend indeed as an antidote against stress and anxiety in today's challenging world.

Modern Psychedelic was one of the key design themes at Top Drawer 
lifestyle product trade fair in January 2023 in London Olympia.
The theme is championed by joyful, nostalgic and creative display colour and bold patterns.
Showcased here are handmade cushions by The Neighbourhood Thread and silk scarf on back panel by
Found Threaddesigned by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama is famous for her signature polka-dots in singular or multiple colours.  Combined with her celebrated quirky use of patterns, Kusama's unique creativity is deemed aspirational, and desirable even now that she has collaborated with luxury Paris-based brand Louis Vuitton for a new capsule collection of bags, accessories and apparel.

To celebrate this amazing 'marriage', LV is transforming its stores around the world by featuring Kusama's animatronic painting in the windows of the stores, including erecting an inflatable replica of Kusama peering over the roof of LV's Champs-Élysées store in Paris.  

One of the shop windows at London's Harrods featuring
merchandise from the world of Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama
Photo by Lucia Carpio

Simultaneously, creative redecoration treatments are seen in amazing installation and shop windows such as those of Harrods in London, along with eye-popping visuals in stores in China, and in Vuitton's pop-up stores in New York Soho and Meatpacking District, and in Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan.

Many textile designers, illustrators and design brands emerging on the scene have also energised the positive mood with their creative use of bold tones and imagery as seen recently at the January 2023 edition of the London Top Drawer trade fair was a group of bright designers.  They among others were supported by the UAL (University of Arts London - considered the top 2 in the world for Art and Design  according to QS World University Rankings 2022).

Printed silk scarves by Found Thread designed by Mia de Las Casas.
Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Textile designer Mia de Las Casas, originally from Ireland, has a BA degree from  Chelsea College of Arts, and is now based in London.  She started her Found Thread brand of luxurious silk-printed scarves with quirky twists. Mia says witticisms of nature are explored, where elements combine for patterns that border on the surreal.  Since its beginnings in the Irish countryside in 2019, Found Thread has developed unique collections and commissions in a signature style. These include Arcadia Falling, Collection II and Zodiac.

Collection II explores floating forms, uncovered and free, said Mia, and it is about duality and transience, where bodies are mirrored, umbrellas act as lily pads and elements collide.  The collection was originally inspired by an old Japanese kimono book, and the misreading of the historical Geisha -Gei (art) sha (person) and it developed into a celebration of the female form, threatrical prints and transient waters and skies.  

All textiles originate from Mia’s drawings, paintings and collages, and are printed onto natural fabrics in London to a high quality.  Found materials are also transformed into new accessories. 

Mia's designs are sold in her Found Thread website, and also in Wolf and Badger, NJAL, Not Just a Shop. Her Scarves have been featured in UK/Irish Tatler magazine, The Irish Independent and The Earth Issue.

Photo from Top Drawer.

Designer and illustrator Mahin Hussain (above), received a Diploma in Coordwainers Fashion Accessories from the London College of Fashion.  Originally from Pakistan, she now lives in Scotland from where she works as a print designer and visual artist.  Bringing bright tones and colourful imagery hailed from her home land, Mahin's prints were inspired by her childhood memories and the iconic cultural imagery of the sub-continent in Asia. 

Her exotic current collection, available at etsy.com,  is a nod to the quirky symbolism around her reimagined world in her strong colourful style. Contrasting colours, bold imagery and tactile textures form the base of all her designs. She believes in colour and thinks everyone needs some in their lives.

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

London illustrator Emily Chin-Sillah (above) is a graphic designer with a BA degree in Graphic and Media Design from London College of Communications.  Her bold prints celebrate London landmarks with her style of vibrant colours and layered textures.

Photo from Top Drawer

In the past two years, Chin Chin Prints has gone on to be featured in the press as well as being sold in several stores across London.

During the first lockdown in England, Emily used her time to create her first location print as a gift to her mum. Initially intended to be a one-off illustration soon led to requests from friends and family to create other local landmarks, from this Chin Chin Prints was launched.

Describing her participation in Top Drawer,  she said, "I saw this as an opportunity to potentially get wholesale customers and experience being at a trade show without the heavy upfront costs and also just be among other UAL alumni.