Ideas & Inspiration >> Fall/Winter Trends >> Artisan Element

For many, art is the last form of magic that exists in today’s fast-paced, “overly-processed” world. Banality has replaced originality and mass production has generated a marketplace devoid of color, personality and vision. This has spawned a consumer culture hungry for true craftsmanship and authenticity. Consumers want to “feel” their environment and create their own unique canvas of experience.

Consumers’ deep yearning to bring a sense of authenticity, emotion and artistic flavor to their world has sparked their renewed interest in traditional and handmade items and incited their need to incorporate the “artisan element” into all aspects of their lives. Ultimately, they envision a world that is an effigy for their imagination.

Every day items crafted in time-honored ways and exhibiting a personal look or touch, such as artisan fragrances or handmade furniture with rustic features, are deemed more aesthetically pleasing than mass-produced, “stock” items. Collaborative design builds new collectives and uncovers the urge to discover and build new roots and relationships.
Ultimately, consumers are reinvesting in artisanal crafts and products which embody a more “human” element.

Social media outlets like Pinterest and Instagram have both capitalized on and perpetuated this trend by offering forums for consumers to share their likes, dislikes, desires and stories on how they instill a sense of the “tradition” in their lives.

The evolution of the “artisan element” trend is expected to continue throughout 2016 – 2017 and extend across a wide variety of markets from home design, to fabrics and fashion, to food and  flavor, beauty, personal care and fragrance. Similarly, its influence can be seen in all facets within any given market, especially in the product’s color, packaging and logo.

Home Design

Consumers are gravitating towards hand crafted items in clay, ceramic and terracotta. The worked and touchable aesthetic created by unglazed, rusted and weathered finishes and rough textures is highly desirable. Additionally, materials found in nature, upcycling and repurposing continue to inspire design.

Fabrics & Fashion

A softly rustic mood is emerging through tactile, rustic weaves and patchwork. Textile collections celebrate nature through informal waffle-weaves, crocheted and other unrefined materials.

Food & Flavor

There is a renewed curiosity into food purity and the origins of ingredients. Culinary artists are flavoring food with interesting new herbs and botanical ingredients giving consumers the opportunity to explore and experience new taste profiles.

Innocent (fruit & veggie juice)

• Skip to the Beet – apple, beetroot, carrot & ginger
  Easy Greens – apple, cucumber, celery, spinach

Mister Bitters

• Pink Grapefruit & Agave
  Fig & Cinnamon
  Honeyed Apricot & Smoked Hickory

Color

With a focus on authenticity of craft and materials, the emerging color palette intermingles green and woody tones. Additionally, copper, a key accent for this season, explores the trend’s industrial yet refined aesthetic.

Packaging and Labeling

Consumers continue to be drawn to products with recycled, reclaimed or minimal packaging.

Botanical and finely illustrated logos and hand-stamped, hand-written details on food, beverage and beauty product labeling impart a homey, handmade quality and artistic vision.

Beauty and Fragrance

Beauty brands and artisan fragrance marketers create handmade, small-batch and/or personalized products and scents which are crafted from natural ingredients. Many of these natural or nature-inspired ingredients are derived from organic and vegan sources.

As consumers adopt a more natural approach to fragrance, numerous brands are launching products which communicate a more authentic and artisanal feel.

• Jo Malone – Geranium & Verbena Cologne
• Jo Malone – Green Tomato Leaf Candle
• Aesop – Geranium Leaf Body Balm
• Blithe & Bonny –  Herb Hand and Body Lotion
• Paddywax – Strawberry Balsamic and Olive Tree & Thyme candles
• Produce Candles – Tomato, Cilantro, Kale & Rhubarb

The Artist’s Way

At the heart of the “artisan element” movement is consumers’ renewed focus and appreciation of tradition and emphasis on establishing a sense of roots, authenticity and artistry in their surroundings and experiences.

The grounding force of infusing artisanal aspects into their lives shapes their identity, enhancing their own personal creativity and awakening in them a deep respect for craftsmanship and all things natural, genuine, inspired and hand-made.

Items individually handcrafted by an artisan rather than mass produced through factory chains add a distinct and personal touch to the consumers’ day-to-day life i.e. their homes, their clothing and their beauty routine.

Artisanal crafts infuse life and a sense of artistry to every space, telling a unique story and shaping the soul of the admirer.

As this movement becomes a global phenomenon, consumers will continue to connect with their “inner artisan” and art will no longer simply imitate life. Rather, art will become life itself.