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. 

Furniture and wall paint guru ANNIE SLOAN proposes NEW NEUTRALS

While Pantone’s new Very Peri colour of 2022  is inspiring many design ideas, some colour houses are going for calming neutral ranges for the new year.

Take Annie Sloan for example.  The paint guru is breathing fresh life into tired bedrooms with Wall Paint and Chalk Paint™.  

Annie Sloan Bedroom featuring
Pompadour Wall Paint;
Floor in Chalk Paint™ Old White; 
Bed in Amsterdam Green;
Bedside table in Pure with Olive,
and Pure mix details.
Lamp in Honfleur, Old Ocgre and Original.

A highlight of the 32-shade Wall Paint palette, Pompadour is a warm white inspired by French courtier Madame de Pompadour. 

The delicately pigmented shade reflects the warm complexities and subtle shade-shifting properties of fine porcelain. 

“From painted walls to painted floorboards, an all-neutral scheme will give your room the illusion of being bigger and brighter, while creating a soothing space for sweet dreams and lazy Sunday mornings,” says Annie. 

“To avoid a clinical look, introduce a disrupter colour on a focal piece such as a bedframe. A burst of your favourite statement shade will add personality and really pop against the clean gallery-style backdrop.” Transform a high street bedframe with just a lick of paint, for an easy, affordable update with maximum impact. 

Without the need to prime or sand, painting furniture with Chalk Paint™ is all in a day’s work - just remember to finish with at least two coats of Chalk Paint™ Wax or Lacquer to seal and protect your handiwork, advises Annie Sloan.  For an extra dose of charm, update smaller furniture and accessories with hand-painted details.

Annie Sloan invented her revolutionary furniture paint, Chalk Paint®, in 1990 and hasn’t stopped refining and improving her formula since. She is widely considered one of the world’s leading authorities in paint, colour and style.

 

Ultra Violet is the PANTONE Colour of the Year 2018

Global colour authority PANTONE has announced that their Colour of the Year for 2018 is Ultra Violet, described as one of the most magical and decadent colours due to its "distinctive and complex purple shade that fascinates and intrigues” while conveying originality and ingenuity, 

Nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet "symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets."

“We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. 

“From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.” Complex and contemplative, Ultra Violet suggests the mysteries of the cosmos, the intrigue of what lies ahead, and the discoveries beyond where we are now, said Eisemann, adding that the vast and limitless night sky is symbolic of what is possible and continues to inspire the desire to pursue a world beyond our own.

"The Colour of the Year is one moment in time that provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design, reflecting the Pantone Color Institute’s year-round work doing the same for designers and brands.”

Mylands Paint made-to-order and available only on the Mylands website and through their factory shop.

“As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use colour to inspire and influence. ”

Enigmatic purples have also long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. Musical icons Prince, David Bowie, and Jimi Hendrix brought shades of Ultra Violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. 

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design; it’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today,” added Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute. “As individuals around the world become more fascinated with colour and realize its ability to convey deep messages and meanings, designers and brands should feel empowered to use colour to inspire and influence. ”

Pantone, a wholly owned subsidiary of X-Rite, Incorporated, is provider of professional colour language standards and digital solutions.