top drawer review
Launchpad hosted a selection of innovative new brands, featuring Concrete & Wax, Afropop Socks, Frankk Studio and many more. These brands brought an exciting array of products from candles, contemporary jewellery, bold prints and striking homeware. Brands in Launchpad reportedly received a lot of interest from retailers, with their section of the Grand Hall “buzzing with conversation and enquiries across the whole three days of the show”, according to the post-show release.
Meet the Maker With consumers ever more interested in meaningful brands with an interesting story to tell, the introduction of Top Drawer’s new Meet the Maker initiative was a timely addition to the show. Retailers and buyers were able to learn more about the stories behind the brands, with Meet the Maker putting a spotlight on the creative designers and makers exhibiting at the show. Ceramics heavyweight Keith Brymer Jones’ sessions drew particularly large crowds, allowing buyers to learn more about his relationship with clay from day one to now, as well as what goes into the creation of his products. Further sessions included sustainability brand Beeswax Wrap, new candle brand Olor, ceramicist Sue Ure and many more. The interactivity of these sessions was beneficial, as buyers were able to learn more about the brands and their process from design to creation. For future shows, show organiser Clarion Events hope to build on these interactive sessions and give more brands the opportunity to tell their stories straight to the retailers.
Trendwatch
The Better Trends Company devised four fundamental trends to watch out for ahead of the show. Slow Rituals: Post-covid, anxiety-reducing rituals allow space for stillness and appreciation of mindful moments in your home. Cooking, reading and resting are all done with intention and the perfect timeless, long-lasting product. Everyday items are elevated to design statements with smoothed out geometrics in natural stones, ceramics and glass. Muted neutrals are calming with a meditative blue and ground- ing deep tan.
Positive Reinforcement: This playful, positive trend is inspired by the need for fun, release, hope and joy. In a post-covid minimalist and digital first world, this pushes back with analogue past times and 90s-influenced tac- tility. Fluid and irregular shapes demonstrate spontaneity and creativity. Marbling, naive florals and simplistic graphics pop with lime and clear bright modernised with cobalt and orange accents.
New Heirlooms: An unstable world makes the heirloom lover look back to the comforts of the past, driven by the desire for emo- tional connections and eco-focused values. Circular design and process is part of the story; recreating history, family lineage and cherished items for the future. Reassuring cosy knits and appliques with ditsy wallpaper prints are key. Warm peach, orange and sage are anchored with dust blue and sage green.
Earthen Artistry: Driven by the desire to re- engage with nature, to rewild and give back, creatives are turning to natural materials, traditional crafts and woodland inspiration. Outdoor healing is materialised through floral and leaf prints, woodblock prints, unstruc- tured line drawings, embroidery and foraged materials. Uneven textures and finishes enhance natural imperfections. Forest greens, browns and olives are contrasted with clear blues and ambers.
New kids on the block
Supporting the next generation of designers and creatives is essential for the future of the sector, and for this year’s show, Top Drawer partnered with University of Arts London (UAL) to showcase a number of up-and-coming designers.
UAL is Europe’s leading and largest art and design university, made up of six renowned colleges: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. Historically, UAL has produced world class creative and cultural leaders.
Emerging creative graduate businesses from UAL joined the exhibitor line up to showcase some exciting new products at the S/S 22 show.
The collective featured a diverse range of businesses, selected based on their creativity, ethics and commercial viability - many of which have never exhibited at a trade show before. Products range from interior and homeware products, fashion
accessories, cosmetics, prints and stationery.
Organised by UAL’s Careers and Employability team in collaboration with Clarion Events, the partnership was a brilliant opportunity for both students and alumni to showcase their products, increase their brand exposure and generate new business contacts by interacting with both major and independent retailers from the UK and beyond.
After the success of the Spring show, Top Drawer is now looking ahead to 11-13 September, 2022 for Top Drawer Autumn - sure to be another incredible show! Once again, the show will be held at Olympia London.
All images courtesy Top Drawer. March/April 2022 •
HousewaresLive.net •
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