tradeshows | In Your Head

Ceramic trends straight from the Runway

March 9, 2009 | By Shannon Kelly

Key trends and high quality products graced Ambiente in Frankfurt this year. The range of items was as vast as fashion week- with romantic, vintage and streamlined looks intermingled with natural textures and essential florals.

Ironically, we have the very same owls in our office from a Venice ceramica and we're thrilled to see that a small artisan house in the Dorsoduro shown among the 4,600 vendors.

Be on the lookout for our picks in approximately 3-6 months.

Tags: housewares, tradeshows, germany, frankfurt, trends, Venice, italy

inspiration from India

February 27, 2009 | By Shannon Kelly

{photo: Nataraja Spices}

Slumdog Millionaire may have tipped the cultural trend scale at the Oscars but it has long been part of the "global" theme we have been following for some time now that includes fashion and food from Morocco, Africa, Korea and China.

Just in the past few days the song Jai Ho has hit #7 on iTunes top downloaded songs and the two 'real life' slum kids- Rubina Ali and Azhar Ismail, have been gifted with new family homes by the Indian government.

Blogger Perez Hilton, has been hot on the actors trail reporting that Slumdog Millionaire star and director headed to Millionaire game show & posting photos from Vogue India of lead actress Freida Pinto on the cover.

{photo: Melange}

For future fashion inspiration, we recommend checking out Bombay Electric, Melange, and Kamani in Mumbai before some not-so-subtle knockoffs appear on the runway and in your department store. We love the specific point of view on fashion from each designer/retailer. If you've never purchased Vogue India, we suggest you invest in a copy now.

It's no huge leap from fashion to food, at least for celebrity Top Chef host Padima.

Restaurants like Tamarinde and Bay Leaf are definite destinations when we're in NYC. Additionally, we often pop into Hampton Chutney Company for a delicious dosa in SoHo. One can not mention Indian food without a nod to Vij and Rangoli in Vancouver, Canada; the latter of which was featured in Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations.

{photo: Maya Kaimal}

Most American's do not know that food styles and ingredients vary regionally- much like Italy.

Nataraja Spices, available at Foodzie, are inspired by the cooking and dishes of South India. Those wanting a home-style packaged food should try Maya Kaimal, who's packaging and flavors were a high point at last years Fancy Food Show in San Diego.

That's your tutorial for the weekend! Stay tuned...

Tags: nyc, India, retail, jewelry, design, trends, runway, inspiration, fashion, eCommerce, artisan, food, trend projections, tradeshows, Vancouver BC

hot product: BPA free plastic water bottle

May 5, 2008 | By Shannon Kelly

Clean water is a luxury that we should not pollute with BPA from plastics.

We like the Aladdin 24oz clean and clever plastic water bottle in addition to our classic and colorful SIGG. It's dishwasher safe and shatter, stain and odor resistant). More info at the Aladdin/PMI website. It was a hit at the housewares show and will in the marketplace this month.

Tags: packaging, beverage, design, tradeshows, Eco-friendly, BPA free

About the Fancy Food Show

January 22, 2008 | By Shannon Kelly

There are plenty of foods across the globe to wax poetic about and certainly some that we would never wish on my worst enemy.

Twice a year, all of the above can be found and sourced at the NASFT Fancy Food Show. With 800+ exhibitors offering 56,000+ products in over 160,000 square feet of exhibits and buyers from every major U.S. channel—from Dean & Deluca to Target; here's our take the tradeshow.

Emerging categories:

Water 2.0- a increasing number of bottled water manufacturers offering new minerals, herbs, flavors and vitamins available from name brands and new comers.

Big showing for the bottled, loose leaf and silken-pouched tea. Our favorite packaging for 3 years running: Tea Forte.
The Italian pavilion continues to be a big draw for everything that Italy does best: specialty cheese, panettone, olive oil, wine and meats. New vendors from Sicily and Puglia were a great addition.
Increasing number of organic/natural foods and Indian meals (Ayurvedically-balanced, traditional, heat-and-serve)
Manufacturers are attempting to replicate Fran's salted caramel chocolates. Do yourself a favor and do not try the Trader Joe's version.

Tags: tradeshows, italy, San Diego, food, trends

Fancy Food Show 07

January 24, 2007 | By Shannon Kelly

We love everything about Miette and can not wait for the confiserie to open! The chocolate pot de creme (in the branded jar) is a little treasure. We didn't want to return the jar after enjoying this bite-size delight.

Tags: sweets, trends, tradeshows, SF, chocolate, food

New products of interest

February 1, 2004 | By Shannon Kelly

Mix and match serveware shown at the New York International Gift Show. The base of each molded item eliminates the need for a place mat when configured together.