Design Trends 15/16

SETTING THE TREND

We always enjoy seeing the influences from fine art and high-end fashion impact on design trends; strong, bold, cut-paper shapes are evidently inspired by Matisse’s recent retrospective at Tate. Naïve patterns in flat, bold colours brought to life with expressive collage and abstract, off-set geometrics.

Jane Robbins' hand-made paper collages, including this abstract leaf design published as funky gift-wrap for Museums & Galleries, are prime examples.

Jane Robbins' designs also show the popularity for large-scale patterns featuring all-over natural elements.

Tropical designs and Embroidery related designs are still strong; from tropical designs with birds, flora, and cacti in dense, rich colours to designs with embroidered 'folklore' detail - check out Mary Stubberfield’s tropical turquoises in ‘Hornbills’ and Susan Kennewell’s embroidered ladies 

The artisan and the essence of folklore is being newly interpreted with clean modern silhouettes of animals and the revival in embroidery continues to filter down from high-fashion houses, Christian Dior and Chanel. Yellow House’s latest brand Nancy Nicholson reflects this trend beautifully in her modern folklore illustrations, combining the bohemian with modern trends. These trends are set to continue, celebrating the artisan and a strong sense of narrative.