So what are the trends for 2004? Many of them were already brewing by yearend of 2003 as we saw in the fairs in Milan, Paris and Florence. But theres nothing like the excitement of the beginning of the year, so we decided to find out at Ambiente, the mother of all fairs, held in February at the Messe in Frankfurt.
The exhibition space alone was staggering: 322,000 square meters or equivalent to 45 football pitches! There are 10 buildings connected by covered walkways and bridges, some having up to five floors, grouped into major clusters: World of Interiors, World of Gifts Unlimited, and World of Table, Kitchen and Houseware. There were 4,723 companies from 87 countries peddling to 124,000 buyers. How to navigate this concrete and glass souk? Visit our friends and kababayans first, we thought.
Shelmed Cottage Treasures had right-on-the-dot biomorphic dish trays and other table accessories in you guessed it green and other natural shades. Natures Legacy didnt just have the organic shapes in their modern vases and wall installations designed by acclaimed Cebu designer Kenneth Cobonpue, they also used eco-friendly recycled grain compacted into a sturdy, versatile material. Kenneths vases were even featured in one of the trend-setting exhibits of the fair called "Outdoor Visions."
Tony Gonzales tear-drop shaped Genie Lounge chair was also in that major exhibit, another proof of the Pinoys being up-to-the-minute when it comes to trends. Ann Pamintuan of Gilded Expressions had new incarnations of her wrought iron furniture and accessories in nature forms, one of which, the Cocoon Chair, was an award-winning piece featured in a German design book being sold at the fairs book shop. Of course, with our year-round tropical climate, the major trend of outdoor living comes naturally to us so we should capitalize on our advantage in this "market of the future." People are spending more time in their gardens, verandas and patios to commune with nature and even apartment dwellers extend their living spaces to their balconies as the new area where they can relax and reminisce about country holidays and island getaways. Furniture and accessories have become more versatile for both indoor and outdoor.
This shift is apparent in purist, unadulterated forms of Orientalia, which used to be more elaborate. At Ambiente were the ascetic, Japanese style of decoration, severe black and white patterns and classic Zen aiming to illuminate the deeper meaning of things with moods and meditative settings.
Another side of the feel-good theme was an escape to a setting of mystery and wild abandon that recalled a thousand and one nights.
Glowing shades of orange, red and gold reached feverish proportions with heavy fabrics and elaborately decorated furnishings as exemplified by the Café Marrakesch, an oasis and escape from the hustle and bustle at the fair. There were also more disciplined versions from Nik Duysens who distilled Arabic influences to choice pieces and detailing.
Rene Alcala of Peter and Paul Philippines did not disappoint his European buyers with his oh-so-elegant and of-the-moment candlelabras of wrought iron with mother of pearl leaves. He was the one disappointed, though or actually, aghast when an Indian exhibitor from a neighboring booth surreptitiously snapped a photo of his creations with a cell phone camera and fled.
Free for all to copy were the classics, which would always be there, but this time its more relaxed and laid-back. The era of stiff Baroque interiors is replaced by a more modern European notion of cocooning. Classic furniture shapes were recognizable but overscaled and more sumptuous for lounging. Florid details have been pared down if not obliterated. Accessories were choice, quality pieces that echo antique originals and enhance the look. Robles Heritage had a Florentine-inspired lamp in metal and capiz which looked so right in both classic and modern interiors.
If this is the future of design and retailing, it does look good. The Philippine exporters feel renewed with fresh ideas and are gearing up for their new collections at the Manila FAME show in April. The question is will they set new trends? And will we buy?