Jul 25, 2017

Las Vegas Market previews First Look trends

With the digital pre-release of its FIRST LOOK Guide, Las Vegas Market is offering the industry an exclusive preview of its proprietary directional trend program – featuring four design, style and color trends – in advance of the official reveal at the Summer 2017 Las Vegas Market, July 30-August 3, 2017.  (NOTE: The digital version of the FIRST LOOK Companion Guide is available online here.)

The 13th edition of FIRST LOOK will showcase four central themes – Modern Traditions; Casual/Outdoor: Water Signs; Bedroom: iGen; and Handmade.  Products from a record 180+ Las Vegas Market exhibitors will bring the trends to life in four smartly-styled product vignettes in the Grand Plaza, and a related FIRST LOOK seminar will take a deeper dive into each trend’s inspiration and implementation.  The Summer 2017 FIRST LOOK boards and in-depth content on each trend also are available at Las Vegas Market’s blog DesignOnLVMKt, as well as on Pinterest and #ViewOnVegas Instagram.

“Las Vegas Market is dedicated to presenting meaningful trend information, and our FIRST LOOK program offers an easy-to-understand and actionable format for buyers and suppliers alike,” said Karen Olson, senior vice president marketing, International Market Centers. “As the leading furniture, home decor and gift destination in the western United States, Las Vegas Market offers unparalleled insights into color trends, style directions, decorating and retail display ideas, as well as an ever-growing product assortment reflecting the diversity of styles, prices points and categories readily available at Summer Market.”

According to Julie Smith Vincenti, FIRST LOOK curator and editor and owner of Nine Muses Media LLC, “The FIRST LOOK program received a record-breaking number of product submissions for the Summer 2017 edition, so this season’s curation was the most invigorating and rigorous yet. Our approach this time out was to present, not just compelling displays with beautiful, clever and timely products, but also useful layers of information.

Following is a brief description of each trend, as well as a sampling of suppliers and products representative of each:

• iGen: Marketers’ focus is shifting from Millennials’ wants and needs to Generation Z’s wishes and hopes, and FIRST LOOK keeps pace with a space for today’s true digital natives. FIRST LOOK connects with the iGeneration — an entrepreneurial, responsible, compassionate, competitive and curious set — in a first-ever ‘tween bedroom vignette, featuring unisex bedroom furniture, especially designs with tech management and savvy storage solutions; bedding; area rugs; lighting; wall decor; poufs; personal accessories; plush, and toys. Featured exhibitors and products include: Gift Trenz, Wood Sum Radio clock; ID USA, Ladder desk; Mitchell Black, Wallflower removable wallpaper; New Pacific Direct, Arya chair and Ynez bookcase; and Zuo Modern, Tubby ottoman.
• Modern Traditions: Family, dining, holiday and seasonal products come to the fore in this trend, which spotlights modern and transitional dining furniture; tabletop; winter-themed décor; wrapping paper; ornaments; and more. Featured exhibitors and products include: Accent Décor, assorted holiday décor; Arcadia Home, hand-felted wool pillows; Arte Italica, Semplice barware; Cyan Design, Winston chair; Lexington Home Brands, Riviera dining table; TOV Furniture, Haute velvet dining chair; Sunpan, Halden chair; and Vanguard Furniture, Cremins custom chest.
• Water Signs: FIRST LOOK heads to the beach—and pool— for a casual lounge vignette that showcases watery blues and bright whites. Merchandise selections incorporate outdoor furniture, including modern lounge seating and fire pits; beach towels; portable umbrellas; all-weather dinnerware; beachwear; totes; sunglasses, and more. Featured exhibitors and products include: Abbyson Living, Rattan all-weather sofa; Dimond Home, Rain Cloud wall décor; Fermob, Beaujolais table; Grass Flip Flops, Grass Flip Flops; Modgy, Dog Bowls; Occasionally Made, Swig insulated glasses; Summer Classics, Newport recliner; and The Naked Bee, Naked Zinc sunscreen.
• Handmade: Craftsmanship and artistry headline FIRST LOOK’s fourth trend vignette with products all showcasing the creativity and handiwork of craftspeople. Virtually all product categories are suitable, with a special emphasis on merchandise produced by global artisans. Featured exhibitors and products include: Amano Trading, assorted jewelry; DB Imports, Apparel Hanger from the Urbanology Collection; KAS, Natural Stitches area rug; Keseri, assorted hand-knitted ottomans; LH Imports, Havana sideboard; and Mitchell Black, Hand Prints framed wall décor.

FIRST LOOK trends will be presented in a detailed, CEU-accredited seminar on Monday, July 30, 10am – 11am, in Building B’s WorldView on Sixteen. FIRST LOOK curator and 20-year magazine editor Smith Vincenti will present the latest Las Vegas Market product introductions—ranging from furniture and decor to gifts and tabletop—in a fast-paced format tailored to today’s cross-category buyers and lifestyle stores. Along with the best new-to-market products, Smith Vincenti will serve up design insights from industry trendsetters, examine Millennials purchase trends, and share a “Top 10” trends forecast for the second half of 2017. A 0.1 CEU is offered to attendees, and the printed FIRST LOOK companion guide is distributed at the seminar or at the Grand Plaza display area.