Microtrends: Brick and Bread
Hello everyone, it’s Gudy and I'm back with another monthly trend report. I’d like to talk today about a couple of microtrends. Let us first define what a microtrend is. Microtrends (some call these minitrends) are the new and emerging trends that will be found in all lifestyle sectors and may, or may not, convert into macro trends later on. Macro trends are globally relevant with more staying power -- and can have a real impact on consumer thinking and behavior over the next 3-5 years. I have chosen Brick and Bread today in this report since I see certain common characteristics: both are humble, both have existed for a long time, they share a similar color, they are affordable and lead us back to our roots: nature and raw materials. And both are a traditional craft.
BREAD: Food styling has become quite a big influence now when it comes to trendsetting, and bread is one of its most used ingredients though rarely in a leading role and more typically in a "supporting" role. That’s why Musubi Aoki’s take is so interesting because his focus puts bread front and center. Based in Tokyo, he works as a stylist in advertising and for fashion magazines. His perspective is quite imaginative!
Another very nice example of creative expression and food is shown above in Andere Monjo’s ‘Plates for Soulmates’ from the Belgium art gallery Valerie Traan. The artist wanted to redefine bread baking and its traditional craft by producing textiles, table ware and ceramics so these things were made using bread, baked, and served! Imaginative, right?
Omar Sosa and Ana Dominguez play with stacked bread as a still life series for Spanish magazine Apartamento. They've used a variety of bread types in several forms and colours to create art.
The Nicky&Max food blog based out of Berlin, Germany admits to loving to style bread the best, "Bread is one of my favorite things to photograph (up there with salads and pizzas)…it just looks good. Everyone knows bread and it’s easy to conjure up lots of heart warming, comfort and nostalgia feelings when putting bread in a picture. I love its simplicity." You can see their blog for gorgeous food styling with bread in this recent post.
BRICK: This age-old building material works in any environment for flooring and wall covering. But if you prefer an easier option, you could always go faux with wallpaper. Here are some examples of brick on walls and floors.
via: Alvhem
A home in Germany on the island of Sylt, via April and May.
via: Dorean Chaleunphonh
Brick can give a quite industrial look, it underlines a certain country character and works perfectly also in a more urban, industrial environment. Which is your style? Photo above via: Angel Welp.
Next, brick is used in a very unconventional way: moody and playful arrangements created for a photo series by Omar Sosa and Ana Dominguez again. One can think of imaginary buildings or quirky robots made by different bricks, all important and fun in their own right.
But brick advances in lifestyle design too (as usable products) such as in this fantastic 5 piece desk accessory kit called ‘Adobe’ by Ilaria Innocenti. It has been produced in different clay shades and coloured wire adding a bright and contemporary touch. A trend, to me, becomes most interesting when its material is been used in different lifestyle sectors in a new and unique way. And that’s what makes it so fascinating, right? Concrete and copper were huge last winter hitting the market with many home decor accessories. What will it be this winter?
Holly and I would love to hear your thoughts about emerging micro trends. What is your favorite right now and why?
(text: gudy herder, editing: holly becker, images: linked to their sources above.)