The Hype in Homeware
Our homes are on show more than ever, and the self-expression conveyed through home décor has become just as important as that of fashion. Research shows that we spend 90% of our time indoors and as the kids who have grown up buying Supreme and Palace get their own spaces, investment is shifting towards practical products. Creating items which can be applied to daily life demonstrates understanding and forges a connection with the user, as collections are less cyclical, consumers can establish a lasting bond with their purchases.
The modernist era of Art Deco and Bauhaus gave surrealist artists such as Salvador Dali the ability to venture into the world of homeware. A keen supporter of the surrealist movement, British art collector Edward James suggested that Dali recreate his famous artwork to feature in his ‘Complete Surrealist House’ in West Sussex. Commissioning interior designer, Jean-Michel Frank their most prominent creation, the ‘Mae West’s Lips’ sofa is considered one of the most famous surrealist artworks of the 20th-century.
Debuting ‘Ralph Lauren Home’ in 1983, Ralph Lauren became the first fashion designer to present an all-encompassing homeware collection, allowing loyal clientele to integrate the brand in a lifestyle setting. “I knew I wanted it to be as complete a statement for the home as the one I was making in apparel. I connected it to the same lifestyle themes that inspired those collections.” Luxury houses began to take heed, with Versace and Missoni both renowned for their extensive home and lifestyle collections.
With products ranging from ceramics like ashtrays and vases to household textiles like rugs and pillows, streetwear is experiencing the value of the lifestyle market. Adopting methods of exclusivity and collaborations usually found with fashion brands, Japanese toy manufacturer Medicom have also garnered a cult following through their collectable ornaments, Be@arbrick. The release of Virgil Abloh’s IKEA collection last year blurred the lines between homeware, fashion and art. It became a prime exhibit of the expansion of streetwear, with its ability to maintain hype through avenues outside of clothes and accessories.
Written by Ali Twice for @originalshift
