Introducing AW 2021/22: Swansong

From Berlin and Shanghai in the 30's to the last days of disco, the decadence of Swansong is a brave and brittle honouring of liberalism and creativity, tinged with sadness and foreboding.

Visually this is a richly decorative story; Weimar style lino and woodcuts, Art Deco, 30's exoticism and glamour as well as 80's ballroom references inspire. Materials are theatrical and opulent all performing with sparkle and shine.

Swansong was first published in MIX Magazine issue 58, and the following material and surface directions explored in more detail in our AW 2021/22 CMF forecast.

 

 

Cut and Paste 

Freedom of expression is symbolised with a 'cut and paste' aesthetic.

 

 

With nods to Bauhaus design, solid shapes of colour are collaged together in hand tufted rugs, aptly shown in the Lanua rug by MADE.com

 

 

The same can can be seen in Kvadrat X Raf Simons textiles. Upholstered shapes puzzle and slot together, featured on Roberto Matta's iconic Malitte seating system.

 

Material Focus

 

 

Outlined

Taking inspiration from Weimar style lino and woodcut prints to stained glass windows, the precision of dense outlining emerges as a key feature in print and pattern.

 

 

Rugs and textiles are given definition and a graphic edge with sharp black outlines as seen in the Monster carpet by Marcel Wanders for Moooi Carpets.

 

There is room for stained glass here too; Gold Fever Glass by Courtney Baker is given a modern twist through bold colour combinations and simple yet controlled lines reminiscent of Deco.

Pattern Focus

 

 

Work with material and colour?

Building on the design directions first published in MIX Magazine, our bi-annual CMF forecast features concepts, and colour and material palettes illustrated with more than 250 fully credited images.

Both publications are included in Colour Hive membership. Members can access our full forecasts including the CMF forecast for SS 2022 and design directions for AW 2022/23, out now.

Click below to find out how Colour Hive membership can work for you.

 

Become a Colour Hive member today.

Image credits from top:

 © Colour Hive | Robert Sukrachand | MADE.com | Kvadrat X Raf Simons Photo Casper Sejersen | Robert Sukrachand | Marcel Wanders for Moooi Carpets | Gold Fever Glass | Bespoke Glass