How Interior Design Dances the Viennese Waltz with Fashion

How Interior Design Dances the Viennese Waltz with Fashion

By Gary Inman

Historic Perspective The relationship between fashion design and interior design is akin to a Viennese waltz with fashion, more often than not, leading the dance of inspiration and emerging trends. Historically the relationship was very linear, and one could chart the impact of the latest runway shows and editorial coverage as it permeated society. Fashion has always been an astute reflection of the Zeitgeist, or spirit of the age, and an index of cultural anthropology, politics, social mores, and the creative arts. Home furnishings followed the color trends, patterns, finishes, and even silhouettes of its design dance partner creating clearly defined design styles and movements. This has been true for most of my career as a designer and design historian teaching the history of art, decorative arts, and interior design. Age of Technology Today the story is far less linear and much more multifaceted. Our global connectivity and constant barrage of imagery via Instagram, Pinterest, and other social media platforms, as well as non-stop news channels, has accelerated the speed with which new design concepts, colors, patterns, and philosophies are shared, reshared, and often exhausted at a pace unimaginable even ten years ago. One must question the impact it is having on the cultural appreciation of design and the concept of enduring design achievements. The velocity of visual media is, in many opinions, undermining our ability to evaluate and differential good design from bad. The loss of connoisseurship is a tremendous threat to the future of design from fashion to interior design and product design. I believe there is value in connoisseurship and that design critiques are fundamental to both design education, something we all experienced as students, and in the practice of design. If we have no standards, then how can we achieve excellence. Editors have traditionally played a critical role by selecting only projects for publication that represented the highest level of aesthetic achievement. This erudite and informed review process is less evident today and one often sees published works that would have received a failing grade in design school. Design During the Pandemic The normal cadence of the rise and fall of trends has been interrupted by the pandemic but those of us that follow trends, such as the Style Spotter team at High Point Market, can nevertheless identify both macro and micro trends globally and across different design mediums.

The cessation of design activity in hard hit sectors like hospitality design has not kept designers from exercising and stretching their creative skills and it has allowed for a period of gestation that I believe will deliver extraordinary results as we emerge from this period of isolation.

I believe we can right the ship and in a more robust economy with more full-scale projects being created we can reinstate a higher level of design that will encourage emerging designers to strive and stretch their creativity. I had the opportunity to attend High Point Market in October of 2020 and was encouraged to discover that the pandemic had not diminished the creative energy of our industry. Yes, the audience was smaller and there were fewer launches of new products, but the home furnishings industry has nevertheless kept pace with the fashion industry. The autumnal colors we viewed on the catwalk and in upscale boutique lines such as Lafayette 148 where there in rugs by Nourison and showrooms such a Gabby Home. So too were the organic materials and fresh interpretations of indigenous patterns, notably in the lamps and accessories of the lighting giant, Currey & Company. The other major trend was the emergence of Art Deco as the dominant stylistic period reference. Dramatic colors, bold patterns, and sensual silhouettes brought showrooms like Century Furniture and Bernhardt Furniture to life. Mixed substrates made the interpretations feel innovative and relevant for the current moment. It is impossible not to fall under the spell of these glamorous collections and their nod to luxury brands such as Bvlgari and Chanel. The design industry will come together June 5th to 9th in High Point for the first major trade event since the onset of the pandemic. It will be the first chance many of my colleagues have had to see product in person, particularly the new collections, in more than a year. The manufacturing creative teams are working frantically as I write this report to create innovative, fashion forward showroom displays that will not only elevate their products but will inspire their design colleagues as they imagine how to use the products in their design projects. We will have a clearer vision of current and emerging trends following High Point Market this June, as we step into a new post-Covid world.

President of Gary Inman Home Couture, Gary devotes his professional life to advancing the art of fine living in the design of luxury resorts, hotels, homes, and furnishings. To learn more about Gary follow him on Instagram @garyinman or visit www.garyinman.com