Jan 9, 2013

Midwest-CBK Celebrates the Many Styles of Christmas with New, Trend-Driven Holiday Collections

Midwest-CBK, LLC, national designer and manufacturer of seasonal and everyday gifts, introduces 32 holiday collections and more than 1,750 new products featuring trend-driven designs, which will debut during the winter 2013 markets. Inspired by trends in fashion, décor and pop culture, Midwest-CBK’s new holiday collections highlight styles ranging from luxe to simple and approachable to new Americana to artisan-crafted.

The collections emphasize exclusive, new holiday characters and designs created by Midwest-CBK in-house designers and renowned and best-selling licensed artists including Suzy Toronto, Wendy Addison, Nancy Malay and new mother-daughter design team Karen and Mary Hammerschmidt. Designs are affordably priced, with many available at $20 wholesale or less. Midwest-CBK’s new holiday collections will debut during 2013 winter markets, with shipping beginning in June 2013.

“We’re excited to share our outstanding new holiday designs with independent retailers, celebrating the many styles of Christmas, from luxe to hip to traditional to whimsical to contemporary,” says Beth Lorentz, Midwest-CBK vice president of product development. “Our new collections feature original, exclusive characters and designs, innovative formats and materials, and an emphasis on tradition – with a twist – which is Midwest-CBK’s signature.”

A sampling of Midwest-CBK’s top new holiday collections and the trends behind them include:
• Illuminate: Influenced by the trend in elegance and subtle luxury, the Illuminate collection evokes high style, rich details and luxurious finishes. Inspired by nature’s sparkle of snowflakes, icicles and starry skies, ornaments and décor are dressed in winter whites, gleaming golds and luxe finishes that pamper and bring special, elegant touches to holiday décor. New characters include elegant angels and Santas designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artist Barbara Carlson-Musch.
• Urban Holiday: The New Americana trend combines classic, traditional American style blended with a slightly gritty, urban city feel. The new Urban Holiday collection plays off the New Americana trend, featuring rustic textures and neutral chocolate browns, copper, white, gray and silver in and a mix of feminine and masculine styles. Urban Holiday blends classic craftsmanship with modern artisan style, featuring rusticated angels, stylized deer and natural motifs in ornaments and décor designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artist Elissa Bremner. Authentic materials of burlap, glass and metal applied in new ways – for example, burlap trees and wreaths – feel fresh and new. Formats include new angel, deer and owl characters; ornaments; wall décor; water globes; candle holders; trees; lanterns; picks, garlands and wreaths; bells and ribbon.
• Romantic Vintage: The trend in vintage design remains strong in décor. Midwest-CBK’s new Romantic Vintage holiday collection celebrates a rebirth of “shabby chic” without the overworked floral patterns. Feminine details, updated materials and fresh color palettes rekindle the beauty and romance of the season. This dramatic collection features embellished, vintage-inspired trims and holiday décor with new Santa, deer and show children designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artist Susan Guggenbuehl.
• Bright & Cozy: Artisan and handcrafted design is trending up while craft becomes refined. An evolution of a new “primitive” expression, this trend celebrates all artistic styles in fine art, textiles, design, mixed materials and color. The new Bright & Cozy collection is a nod to this artisan-crafted trend, featuring a colorful menagerie of playful holiday characters and handcrafted décor and accessories. The collection features cozy woolen ornaments, new Santa and snowman figures, stockings, pillows, hats, mittens, scarves, pocketbooks and more all designed by Midwest-CBK in-studio artists.

• Baby It’s Cold Outside: Keeping it simple has resurfaced as a design and lifestyle trend, focusing on clean, fresh, updated looks. Midwest-CBK’s new Baby It’s Cold Outside collection features graphic, contemporary modern holiday décor with a fresh, unique twist: chalkboard surfaces for easy personalization. Formats include photo frames, wall décor, magnet board, containers, figures, snow globes, stocking hanger, character candles and soap sets, and ornaments in a modern color palette of black, red, white, cream and gray. New snowman and deer characters are designed by in-studio artist Susan Guggenbuehl.
• Juniper: Nature continues to be a driving force in fashion and décor trends, with style points of view from graphic inspiration to material to color story. Fresh from the forest, Midwest-CBK’s new Juniper collection evokes the beauty of nature with organic elements and elegant style. Nature’s treasures are dressed in antique silvers, muted greens and sparkling finishes to create a refreshing winter palette. Elegant, new Santa, angel and deer characters are designed by in-studio artist LaDieh Rosenthal. Formats include figures; glass, tassel kugel, text and icon ornaments; water globe; ceramic tabletop; candle lighting; organic picks, sprays and garland; glittered tree set and village house; and figural soap sets in gift packaging.

For more information, to place an order or to request a catalog, please visit a showroom, contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit www.mwcbk.com or call 800-394-4225.

About Midwest-CBK, LLC
Midwest-CBK, LLC is a national seasonal and everyday gift company, offering great design, style, and sparkle in all that we do. We pride ourselves for our design, style, and trend leadership as well as our dedication to design innovation, value, quality, and service. Midwest-CBK is committed to providing customers with exclusive, innovative, artist-driven products of the highest quality that reflect traditional and updated design trends. The company’s sales, customer service, and operational teams are dedicated to providing customers with responsive and reliable service, and to delivering products in a timely manner at competitive prices. Please call 800-394-4225, visit www.mwcbk.com or contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager for more information, to request a catalog or to locate a showroom near you.