'What happens in Vegas' is a pretty successful ad campaign...but as far as the Home Furnishings industry is concerned, what happened in Vegas this week should most definitely NOT stay there.
Since their inaugural conference July 2005, this semi-annual event has steadily evolved into an event that is not just about new product, but reaching out to and embracing the new clients, the new marketplace, and the new merchants.
High Point, NC's April/October Markets are still considered the standard for product (at least for now!). Yet-as a bricks and mortar gal from way back, my focus is on the translation for the individual, end/local user; and I very much like the supporting role the Vegas Market has created, and made their own.
Along with workshops on color forecasts and trends what happened in Vegas were some very consumer-centric symposiums: Best green/sustainable practices from BRAVO's Thom Filicia, creating simpler, more transparent marketing, customer service expectation ins 2013, and musings from Yankee Candles' President & CEO Howard Kent, on his experiences of being an "Undercover Boss".
Product, synopsized: lines are clean, and scale is generous-but not oversize, like the sectionals and tables on steroids look we saw a few years back. Combined with simple, and clear colors, the results are alternately fun and upbeat, or classic and confident.
The materials are a blend of organic and manufactured, sometimes within the same product-like these: Resin and glass is used to fill in the space of reclaimed wood to create a fun and functional stool (above).
There are signature pieces that will bring the right amount of ahhh to a space, either with a touch of shimmer, or some whimsy, like the above simple and elegant ceiling fixture...or the over the top (but nonetheless awesome!) bed.
Only clunker in the group I find is Emerald Green-the anointed Color of the Year. Like last year's Tango Tangerine, even in small doses, it's more like Color of the Next 15 Minutes, and IMO should stay in Vegas.
Don't despair-or rail against what you see here as being so wildly inappropriate for your cozy condo, or your simple split. Home Furnishing Markets-like NYC's Fashion Week, the Boat and Car Shows, for that matter, the long-gone Sears Christmas Wish Book- are meant to inspire and entertain. They set the bar-a point at which looks and ideas will trickle down and work for most of us. So stay tuned-what retailers saw this week will start showing up online shortly, and in the marketplace late spring.
