Among the keynote speakers at yesterday’s London Stationery Show (October 5) was material, design and trend consultant Sally Angharad, the curator of the show’s colourful Trends Hub.
Explained Sally: “There are four key trends for 2022 and beyond – Living, Restoring, Connecting and Escapism – that are all intrinsically linked, but also stand alone, with all of them centred around wellbeing, being both active and proactive.”
Living
“With the relationship between man and nature deep rooted, people are making considered choices to improve their wellbeing, to include sustainable alternatives and manmade materials,” said Sally. “There is an editing down of the way we are living and the products that we use. More people are working from home and values have changed, so there is a need for the feelgood factor in terms of relaxed luxury, ethical innovation and the space to think.” She continued: “The colour palette includes greens, soft hay, baked pinks a reference to land and sea, which is informing colour choices. The Living trend has also got a retro, vintage feel.”
Restoring
Sally highlighted that re-discovering skills is becoming very important, with the pandemic driving a new narrative to think about the things we surround ourselves with, and a need to be transparent about how things are made. “It’s about fixing something to make it last longer and about making memories about the things we have around us.”
The trend is rich and multi-cultural, with global qualities and references to travel, with a colour palette that features utilitarian blues, honey golds, rich cherry, faded blossom pink and natural green tones. “Restoring has a rustic quality and links to the Living trend,” added Sally.
Patterns include dry brushstrokes, painterly effects, tone on tone, contrast stitching, imperfections, folkloric and typography, reflecting elegant craftsmanship on quality items.
Connecting
“This trend is about seeking joy in everyday things,” highlighted Sally. “It’s about freedom of expression, being true to who you are. A new nostalgia is coming through,” she continued, “with a nod and a connection to the ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, with retro touches and a naïve charm, as well as sentimental values and positive affirmations. It’s about saying what you feel and standing up for your beliefs in order to make a positive difference and move forward.”
A vibrant colour palette includes bright acidic green, emoji yellows, attention-grabbing orange, complemented by softer colours. Look out for glitter, metallic highlights, confetti, quilted, padded and translucent materials, with patterns including doodles and squiggles, spray paint, marbled designs, fruit motifs and ‘70s patterns.
Escaping
According to Sally, a new vision of the future is emerging, with Escaping “somewhere between what we know to be true and what we can imagine. It’s a mix between digital and analogue, with a middle ground inspiring this trend. It’s ephemeral in terms of patterns and materials, building a story through the balance. We’ll be seeing 2D and 3D shapes and processes, and although we know its not quite here it is nevertheless influencing how we are feeling,” she explained. “There is a sense of surprise and wonder that focuses on solid colour – such as icy blue and dark inky blue, complemented by pastel colours – that have shine, gloss, iridescence or a dichroic finish.”
Patterns feature ombre prints, futuristic textures, tactile illusions, warped, ridged stripes and ethereal effects, while materials reflect wet looking metallics, grid structures and a sense of colours changing.
The London Stationery Show, taking place at London’s Business Design Centre, closes today (October 6).
Visit www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk
Top: Trend forecaster Sally Angharad was a keynote speaker at the London Stationery Show yesterday.
