Journal

How do you feel about design and decor trends? Are you a fan, keeping up with the latest and greatest? Are you against trends and believe you march to the beat of your own unique drum? Whether we like it or not, we are all influenced by trends in the world around us because that’s just it -they’re all around us in the world! We can’t help but take in bits of information here and there and over time, if we see something repeated often enough, we recognize it as a trend or consider it to be ‘in style’. It seems simple but many people are baffled by where trends come from and how they rise to prominence, affecting what we like, what we wear, and what’s for sale on store shelves.

The best explanation comes from that classic style film, The Devil Wears Prada where the brainy academic intern Andy (who sees herself as outside the fashion trend cycle) is schooled by her fashion editor boss Miranda Priestly on this very subject. In case you don’t remember the iconic speech, here’s a transcript from the movie:

Miranda Priestly: Where are the belts for this dress? Why is no one ready?

Jocelyn: Here. It’s a tough call. They’re so different.

Andy Sachs: (snickers under her breath)

Miranda Priestly: Something funny?

Andy Sachs: No. No, no, nothing’s… you know, it’s just that… both those belts look exactly the same to me. Y’know, I’m still learning about this stuff, and uh… (giggles uncomfortably)

Miranda Priestly: This… “stuff”? Oh, okay. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you.

You… go to your closet, and you select… I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back, but what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean.

You’re also blithely unaware of the fact that, in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns, and then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it?… who showed cerulean military jackets. I think we need a jacket here.

Nigel: Hmm.

Miranda Priestly: And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores, and then trickled on down into some tragic casual corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.

However, that blue represents millions of dollars of countless jobs, and it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry, when in fact, you’re wearing a sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room… from a pile of “stuff.”

I love this movie especially for this scene.

Essentially trends are chosen for us by tastemakers who sit at the top of the heap and then decree to the masses in a trickledown effect that comes onto our radar sooner or later depending on how tapped in we are. You’ll be familiar with people who latch on to a trend just as it is fading and becoming ‘out of style’ . Or people who believe they are above the trends and will say that once the masses have adopted a particular style, they’re totally over it.

I remember well my early days as part of the House & Home Magazine editorial team when we were coming up with the annual Trend Issue. It was our job to keep our eyes peeled for the hot new looks and to synthesize the many influences out there into a coherent trend report for the upcoming year. People often ask how outlets like magazines look into the future and predict trends but just like this scene in the movie, it’s the experts who are essentially telling the public what they trends are. Rather than predicting the future, they are determining it. The question is, should we be looking to trends for decorating our homes? Take a look at this Trend Issue from House & Home. Was this room trendy for 2010? Certainly. The bold David Hicks wallpaper, the moroccan tile inspired carpet everyone had to have, the over sized beach photograph (this really was a trend, believe it or not!), fur pillows etc.

The question is, is this the look everyone is coveting today? My very first year as an editor, I pitched and then produced a trend for the magazine called Neoclassical Now. It was my take on the Hollywood Regency look made popular at that time by the likes of Kelly Wearstler, Mary MacDonald and Domino Magazine. Was it trendy? Yes! Would I decorate my house this way today? No.

I’m still proud of this work as a piece of editorial content, distilling this very real style in 2008 as a piece of journalism. My point is, that if we take these trends on board wholesale, we risk being led down the garden path towards a look and style that may not be our own.

In the last few years it seems everyone was reacting to the glitz and glam of what was happening in design and decided to do a u-turn towards the simpler, humbler style known as ‘farmhouse’. Joanna Gaines and her Magnolia empire became THE THING for many homeowners as they applied shiplap, whitewashed antiques and layered on the romantic bedding and wildflowers. It looked like this…

But before long it seems people started to become tired of the farmhouse look (even Joanna herself) and a new trend swept the decor-o-sphere. The new California casual, modern-meets-organic look is the new trend of the moment. Think black framed industrial windows, linen sofas with skinny legs, sling style leather with wood chairs, faded Persian carpets and the requisite pottery lamps and earthenware accessories. Oh and don’t forget the arches! Arched doorways, arched built ins, arches everywhere!

Pottery! Arches! Persian! Industrial Windows!

Light floors! Light wood! Neo-eighties geometric furniture! Antique carpet! Linen skinny leg sofa! Earthy pillows! ARCHES!

Same list of element as above, not worth typing.

When I think about all of the money and material resources used to chase these trends I just want to cry. Because if with in a year or two, you’re on to the next look, think of all the waste, the needless renovations and dumpsters filled, this year’s ‘it’ accessories all tossed so you can buy something new. This is the dangerous side of being on-trend.

Or how about this – try developing personal style? Dig deep into the things, places, colours, moods that make you feel most at home. Do some research, look back into history, look around the world, look outside. Start with a classic base maybe – items that will stand the test of time and are trend-proof – and then layer in those items that are personal to you. In the end you will have a home full of cherished items that embrace you when you walk through the door. A style that reflects who you are because it is a mirror of you, beyond what is ‘hot’ at the moment in design. Of course, we will always be influenced by what we see around us but if the look we’re after looks just like everyone else and the elements can be listed a-z to get the look, maybe it’s time for a pause. A quick scroll online shows me that all too many shops are ready to offer exactly this latest trend in a cookie cutter formula that hits all the same notes. And these are independent Canadian shops – not California or Utah’s deserts.

In the end you can be on trend (for the moment) or you can develop personal style that lasts a life time. As a retailer it is certainly easier to load up on all of the latest looks but I kind of feel icky doing that and feeding into the ever faster home fashion cycle. There were a few years that I carried the Magnolia Home farmhouse looks mentioned above, but the goal was to offer the classic items and mix and match them for a signature look. Vintage and heirloom pieces in neutral and natural colours are always a good idea regardless of trends. Adding to the pile of discarded home furnishings is something I truly want to avoid. It’s been a long time since my job was to forecast the trends and today I aim to invest in what is more unique, timeless and meaningful.