Italian craft

October 24, 2012 | By Shannon Kelly
caffe umbria
Caffe Umbria
 
How do you improve on sophistication and heritage? For Caffè Umbria, the answer is all about design.
 
As fans of the Italian-style espresso and coffee roaster for some time now (we pour Bizzarri Blend using a French Press at the office), we were delighted to see the brand evolve with powerful new packaging that is differentiated with simple details that capture the true artistic essence of the companies rich history.
 
Caffe Umbria
{Image and packaging design by Tether}
 
We love the juxtaposition of the background pattern, changing color with each blend, and the bold type throughout the range. Most intriguing is the logo placement – which allows for vertical or horizontal merchandising at retail.
Tags: pagkaging, design, retail, merchandising, coffee, CPG, seattle, food, coming soon

a familiar concept

March 10, 2012 | By Shannon Kelly
Starbucks SunValley Concept
 
When the Huffington Post shared photos of the new Starbucks 'Concept Shop' in Amsterdam, more than a couple elements in the design looked familiar.
 
We're not talking about the "U" shaped wine bar or food offerings at the three neighborhood named Seattle "concept shops" which popped up in 2009.
 
Oddly enough, the Amsterdam store looks much like the cafe in Ketchum, Idaho which opened in November 2011. Both locations feature sustainable design elements, like reclaimed wood, and are located within newly renovated historic buildings.
 
Sbux Ketchum
 
Starbucks Concept Store
 
Starbucks Store
 
Starbucks Ketchum
 
Perhaps the brand wanted to test the design back home before launching overseas.
 
Tags: coffee, retail, food, design, QSR, trendscaping, visual merchandising trends, GlobalLocality

milk made for the fashion week weary

September 10, 2011 | By Shannon Kelly
Aldo Salon
{photos courtesy of butter London}
 
Aldo Salon, a pop-up concept from the shoe brand Aldo, has some pretty cool company on 15th Street for one week. The temporary space, right next to the main entrance at Milk, is poised to be the go-to spot for a beverage of your choice, indie magazine or a mani/pedi during New York Fashion Week. 
 

Inside, Butter LONDON has set up shop with waterless nail services and 3-Free lacquers in the seasons most coveted colours while Bleach London (clients include Florence Welch, Pixie and Peaches Geldoff, and Alice Dellal) rocks the epic “dip-dye” treatments.

If primping is not your thing, re-fuel at Blue Bottle Coffee or check out the Creatures of Comfort newsstand. There's a little bit of everything— from mags to VitaCoco; Proper Attire condoms to roll-up ballet flats; Luna bars to mini's of Kanon Organic Vodka. 

Open 10 am to 8 pm during NYFW.

 
Tags: NYFW, fashion, beauty, shopping, beverage, coffee, popup retail, nyc

news bites 5.20.11

May 20, 2011 | By Shannon Kelly

Bits, bytes and bites we have selfishly devoured this week...

FOOD

{image: Gilt.com}

  • Gilt Taste, a new division of Gilt Group, launched with artisanal hard-to-find foods and Ruth Reichl at the helm as the editorial adviser.
  • According to industry data, home canning product sales have risen nearly 35% over the past three years as the trend continues to gain momentum.
  • Pop-up originator Guerrilla Culinary Brigade sets down permanent roots with a modern American brasserie and sushi bar called Co-Op Food & Drink.

 

FASHION

  • Prada secures approval for $2bn initial public offering in Hong Kong.
  • Royal Wedding provided only a temporary boost to UK retailers.
  • “The automobiles have always been an enriching element for me — when I think of the steel rivets, the curve of the engine or the finishings in tactile leather,” said Ralph Lauren in this article to the NYTimes. Do you agree with him?
 
 

CULTURE

{image: Starbucks Coffee Company}

Tags: popup food, artisan, canning, coffee, fashion, food, music, new media, nyc, trendscaping, IPO, inspiration, retail, QR codes

we called it: mini's go bigtime

March 10, 2011 | By Shannon Kelly
As a trend illustrator, we love it when a big fish validates a past prediction. Thank you Starbucks for launching Starbucks Petites.

{image: Starbucks Coffee Company}

Starbucks foray into eight mini pastries (including cake pops, whoopie pies, mini cupcakes, and sweet squares) are the 2011 version of a trend we've been following since 2004. Initially, we saw traditional French petite pastries during a trendscaping trip to Fauchon as an authentic product extension and an artisan treat that was approachable as well as beautiful. Our second post from 2008 addressed the mini-momentum of smaller, less expensive indulgences. We continued in 2009 by embracing austerity chic with mini-portions in contrast to extravagant meals.

Starbucks versions are both approachable and economical but also target health and wellness with less than 200 calories each. We also like that Starbucks stays on-brand by talking to the pairing of coffee with sweets that include the ever-trendy cupcakes and more unique offerings (cake pops).

 
Tags: Fauchon, sweets, promotion, coffee, marketing, trendscaping, trend projections, paris, cupcakes, france, food

artful food

October 26, 2010 | By Shannon Kelly
Jeff Koons Hot Chocolate
Jeff Koons Hot Chocolate
 
We encountered a delightful treat when we went to check out the SFMOMA cafe: The food is inspired by the famous artwork.

Tony Cragg Icecream

Crafted by local favorite Blue Bottle Coffee Company - we love how the artistic renditions of hot chocolate, ice cream, and chocolate cake appeal modernists and kids alike.

Mondrian Cake

Set amid modern and contemporary sculptures in SFMOMA's Rooftop Garden, these desserts are a fun and playful take on the standard cafe fare.
 
 
Tags: sweets, coffee, SF, food, artisan, art, pop culture, chocolate, icecream

news bites 10.22.10

October 22, 2010 | By Shannon Kelly
intriguing, interesting and entertaining news cultivated by In Your Head...

FASHION
- Harvard Business Review report assesses economic importance of Michelle Obama’s fashion choices at $2.7bn.
- Projecting retail sales trends is a science, not an art. National Retail Federation projects US will increase holiday spending by 1% by spending more on quality & service as they turn away from discounters but a contrasting report by NPD Group proclaims that discount stores will be "top destination" for holiday spending.
- Neiman Marcus sold 100 special edition 2011 Chevrolet Camaro convertibles from the retailer's annual "Christmas Book" catalog in 3 minutes.
- Harvey Nichols launches the first ever pre-nup bridal package including recommendations on scents, bridesmaid dresses, shoes, skincare, make-up as well as financial reassurance.
- Loving these fashion themed Halloween costumes for the daring.

+
FOOD
- Eco-friendly floating restaurant with sustainable seafood set to open in marinas worldwide.

photo: CNN via Shannon Ronalds

- Harnessing the power of social media by using the internet to identify and even predict new customers.
- What everyone's talking about -- Starbucks launches test of beer and wine in cafes.
- Good advice for small packaged food companies on how to get your product onto retail shelves (some of these tactics can also be used for sales people in the fashion industry).

 
Tags: luxury products, weddings, packaging, coffee, trends, fashion, holiday, consumer behavior, food

news bites 8.27.10

August 27, 2010 | By Shannon Kelly
FOOD + FASHION
- September Issue director will debut Rag & Bone documentary sponsored by Starbucks.

Tags: coffee, fashion, food

news bites 5.14.10

May 14, 2010 | By Shannon Kelly

FOODBOOK
- Starbucks' Facebook page is worth $20.7 million due in part to its eight million "likes"... Putting value on brands' Facebook pages.

Tags: new media, coffee, social networks, food

news bites 4.22.10

April 22, 2010 | By Shannon Kelly

Is going "on tour" to pop-up retail what mobile carts were to underground supper clubs? We're wondering how far food and fashion innovation will go to meet marketing needs.

FOOD
- David Lynch, the master coffee roaster?
- Will Alice Waters be the next Oprah for the fresh food movement.
- Conran, one of our favorite NYC housewares stores formerly under the Queensboro Bridge, sets up shop in ABC Home & Carpet.

+
FASHION
- More nail trends and opinions from The New York Times.
- Earth friendly fashion without the crunchy granola bits.
- Are you a great fashion filmmaker? Think you can take on Tavi Gevinson? Check out A Shaded View on Fashion Film 2010.

Tags: housewares, coffee, Edible garden, nail trends, food trucks, Eco-friendly