Until a decade or so ago, most new designs were introduced in September, as retailers bought stock for the Christmas market. Then, particularly after the financial crisis of 2008, as shops closed (or stopped holding stock) and project sales became more important, the focus shifted to the beginning of the yesr. January's Maison et Objet became much more important than September's, and it is followed by Euroluce or Light+Building. With COVID-19, there has been this hiatus and although trade fairs are restarting, they have not (yet?) regained their former energy and significance. Nevertheless, this is still the most popular season for new launches. Although there is no Euroluce this year, more lighting brands than usual were exhibiting fuorisalone .
So we can review the new arrivals to see how current trends are developing—and whether there are any new trends.
Colour
Of course, as in fashion, the biggest story continues to be COLOUR!!! I picked up on this a year ago, in my post here. So, what has happened since?
Adding colour to existing designs
Atelier Areti have added colour to lots of their designs—look!
More than you can shake a stick at! To see them properly, click here.
Others are adding colour more selectively: Flos to Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni's classic Luminator of 1955...
...and Tobias Grau to some of their office designs, such as John:
The effect is to make them more suited to WFH—or to make offices feel more like home.
Creating new designs that make the most of colour
Catellani & Smith point out that, “In 2004, colour became part of our catalogue for the first time, with the PostKrisi collection. Colour was used as a message of rebirth and joy. Today, that colour is back.”
Back in the form of Ettorino, which comes in table...
...and floor versions:
There are also table versions of Ace ...
...this time supplemented by a ceiling light:
A year ago, a luminaire would be issued in a single colour (except maybe the reflecting surfaces)...
That is still happening (Luminator and John), but the approach spearheaded this year by Atelier Areti and Catellani & Smith combines pops of bright colours on the same luminaire—the clear influence being Memphis. I never managed to interest anybody in any Memphis design, so I gave up. But maybe their time has come again at last!
Wood
LEDs, because they produce so much less heat than proper light bulbs, have enabled wood to be used much more extensively in the construction of luminaires. And. like colour, wood contributes to a general softening of interiors, to the move away from dreary greys and hard surfaces, towards softer, more comfortable, more cosy interiors that promote well-being. Interiors for living in, rather than for Insta.
Prandina's Teca Supernatural warms up the desk light:
So it will look as good on a C suite desk...
...as it would when WFH. (You see, another trend—and not a surprising one in the circs.)
Wood can also mean luxury, the finest craftsmanship. And that is what Joscog exploits with his Guinevere family. Here is a large 21-light version (as seen in the House of Detention during CDW) :
He's also introduced an applique:
but what is not immediately obvious from pictures is the finely carved wood structure:
Joscog say their "...core philosophy, story and intention are what sets us apart from industry staples. We are 100% British made, fully sustainable, and completely bespoke." So they find, "... production methods outside mass produced production to ensure quality, sustainability, and complete flexibility," So it's not just me who bangs on about the value and importance of fine craftsmanship, then!
Re-editing the classics
When we started Cameron Peters, I was immediately made aware of (a) just how many new designs were launched each year (partly just so that there would be something new on the exhibition stand), and (b) that most of them were just ho-hum. At the same time, we knew that there were so many fantastic/important/joyous/beautiful/challenging/original designs from earlier periods that were no longer available. When in Paris, our noses would be pressed to the glass of those dealers around the rue de Seine/rue Bonaparte area of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Since then, though, several brands are re-editing classics for the LED era—sometimes, but not always, from their own back catalogue. It looks like they are being joined by Lumen Center (they've dropped the "Italia" from their name, BTW). For, joining Jacques Adnet's Quadro and MJA in their catalogue is TMB, designed by Marcel Breuer for the 1925 Exposition Universelle in Paris:
They've added a floor version. Both are available in satin brass or bronze finishes:
It manages to be self-confident, even hieratic, without being too imposing. Not easy to pull off!
Ballsonsticks®
After the total dominance for so long of the balls on sticks cliché—the only contemporary "designer" light fittings of which the man on the Clapham omnibus seems to be aware (besides naked light bulbs in cages, of course), if only out of sheer boredom, the industry has been finding ways to extend the concept. (Post-ballsonsticks-ism?) Panzeri have had a rather good idea (actually, Matteo Thun has had). Their new balls are called Murané—shown here as a wall light:
The glass has a bronze colour and the LED light source is well concealed. They've then created Murané R, by mounting the balls, not on sticks, but on a ring! Two trends in one!!
They can then play with various compositions, making this a versatile design:
Glass
As a glass addict, I've saved this trend till last. Yes, you can do amazing things with glass—decorating it, colouring it, making incredibly complex objects with it. But best of all is a big blob of glass, not mucked about with.
The Phenomena collection that Stuido Dechem designed for Bomma came with colour gradations in the glass. Now they have brought out gorgeous, simple, plain versions:
The metalwork is either brushed silver or brushed gold. Remember, this collection is larger than it may look in pictures!!! (Phenomena was not a TikTok meme then, but now you've got this in your head. Sorry.)
But it is Flos who have made the most of the big blob of glass. It is the key element of "an extremely limited edition" of one of the most influential fine lighting designs of all time—Arco, which gave its name to a whole new genre: the floorstanding pendant:. Lookee here:
Yay!
So in summary, trends developed further have been: colour, wood, brining back classics, and ballsonsticks®. Big blobs of glass...well, Windfall pioneered this with Boule, didn't they. There may not be much scope to take it further. But there is a meta-trend which is based on WFH and creating surroundings that promote mental health—so the adjectives are now softer, warmer, playful. I couldn't be more pleased!
If you are interested in specifying any of these new fine lights, or in other designs that further these trends, as usual, do get in touch.
