The revival of crafts was probably the most clear trend at the Milan Furniture Fair 2009. No doubt due to the global credit crisis, there were plenty of examples.
Some of the highlights included Urquiola's Mangas knitted carpets and Karim Rashid's wood craft products, but the most popular event was the Craft Punk organized by Fendi and Design Miami, where young designers produced new objects on-site from materials left from Fendi's production lines.
Implications - Consumers are now influenced by environmental concerns in their purchasing habits. As such, corporations that use recycled textiles in the fashioning of their wares are more likely to garner consumer business than those that don't.
Recycled Couture Crafts
Design Miami Uses Fendi Scraps at Milan Furniture Fair 2009
Trend Themes
1. Revival of Crafts - The trend of reviving crafts has led to opportunities for businesses to incorporate handmade and unique elements into their products, appealing to consumers' desire for authenticity and personalization.
2. Upcycling Scraps - The upcycling trend of using scrap materials to create new items provides an opportunity for companies to reduce waste and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
3. Environmental Influences on Consumer Habits - The trend of consumers being influenced by environmental concerns in their purchasing habits has led companies to incorporate sustainable practices and materials into their production processes in order to appeal to conscious consumers.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion Industry - The fashion industry can benefit from using recycled textiles in their production, as it provides an opportunity to reduce waste and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.
2. Furniture Industry - Incorporating handmade and unique elements in their products can differentiate companies in the furniture industry, appealing to consumers' desire for authenticity and personalization.
3. Sustainable Manufacturing Industry - The movement towards sustainable practices and materials in production processes has created opportunities for businesses in the sustainable manufacturing industry to develop new products and services that address environmental concerns.