Every retailer wants to know which trends will resonate with consumers as early as possible. In advance of the spring Las Vegas Market (slated for April 11 to 15), organizers are presenting the market’s proprietary FIRST LOOK trends program as two 45-minute webinars on March 24 and March 31. The webinars will present four design and color themes – COLOR CLASS, PATTERN PRIMER, REMOTE CONTROL, and SUMMERTIME – as two image-rich CEU-accredited digital sessions.
“The April FIRST LOOK program will present four macro trends that will resonate with consumers’ moods, expectations, and wants,” says Dorothy Belshaw, IMC’s Chief Customer & Marketing Officer. “With recovery underway, these defining themes will play a more important role than ever in helping buyers and suppliers plan now and throughout 2021.”
The webinars are curated by 25-year magazine editor Julie Smith Vincenti and are categorized by industry segment. FIRST LOOK – Home Furnishings will take place from 1 to 1:45 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, March 24; and FIRST LOOK – Gift, Housewares, Textiles and Tabletop will be from 1 to 1:45 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, March 31. For information and registration, visit https://www.lasvegasmarket.com/Explore/News-and-Trends/First-Look.
The sessions will explore the following themes and showcase relevant products:
REMOTE CONTROL: Many homeowners have been repurposing and furnishing rooms to perform for working, living, and learning from home for the near future — and possibly long-term. Corresponding exhibitor products include modular seating from Mercana; Elroy recliner from Norwalk Furniture; and the McKenzie Collection from Whittier Wood Furniture.
SUMMERTIME: Togetherness, celebration, and entertaining were re-scripted in 2020. How will friends and families come together this summer? Corresponding exhibitor products include the New Lemon Collection from Abbiamo Tutto; placemats from Chilewich; and Sweet Collection textiles from Kay Dee Designs.
COLOR CLASS: FIRST LOOK dives deeper into the complete palettes served up for 2021 by leading home brands and forecasting firms. Corresponding exhibitor products include Ann Gish’s jacquard Horizons bedding collection; Diggs wall sconce from Hudson Valley Lighting; area rugs from Nourison’s Prism Collection; and the Homage Collection from Rug & Kilim.
PATTERN PRIMER: Take a peek at patterns holding steady, as well as incoming motifs. Patterns that complement incoming neutral, earthy, and cheerful palettes top the list of what’s new and next. Corresponding exhibitor products include Tie Dye Hopsulator coolers from Brumate; pillows from the Justina Blakeney x Loloi Collection; and wall decor from Studio Artique by Timothy’s Contemporary Squares Collection.
“Consumers’ immediate preferences and behaviors shape this season’s FIRST LOOK sessions, plus we’ll focus the lens on trends impacting post-pandemic purchase considerations,” Vincenti explains. “Incoming color palettes and emerging patterns are focus areas, too, which will be presented in a format that inspires efficient sourcing at Las Vegas Market.”
As an added benefit, free digital flipbooks will be available before each webinar at https://www.lasvegasmarket.com/Explore/News-and-Trends/First-Look.
