27 Sep Metallics in Fashion & Interiors 2023
Metallics in Fashion & Interiors 2023
September rolls around, the rain begins to fall and we begin to reflect on this last year; our growth, our goals, and, of course, the trends. As we covered in our last blog Wellness is in for the long haul but it’s not the only trend we see sticking around. Consumers may not consciously think about how fashion and personal style influence interior spaces but they are intrinsically connected. In the era of social media, more people than ever have access to our interiors. It just makes sense we’d want them to reflect our personal tastes and style. In 2023 the runways have seen a major influx of metallics, particularly, silver; but it’s not limited to the runway. Over the past year we’ve witnessed similar design motifs make their way into interiors as well.
What we’re calling Metallic Brutalism is happening and we love it! It’s no surprise Metallics have been back in the limelight. With ample inspiration, it’s hard to resist. Metallic fashion made its debut in the 1930s as worn by film icons such as Joan Crawford and Jean Harlow. As you can see in the image gallery to the right, even in the 3os, these fashion trends took off in interiors. Metallic fabrics paved the way for brass shower doors, art deco detailing, and metal fixtures throughout homes. Eighty years later Metallics were back in! Spring 2013 we saw Metallics pop back up in place of bold floral print. Ten years later, in 2023 its resonates even harder. No more saving that lame dress for New Year’s! Silver was all over the fashion runways in Spring/Summer 2023. Designers such as Tory Burch, Dior, Chanel, Coach, and Jean Paul Gaultier included a sparkly touch in their collections. So we say…Metallics are All In – All Year, sneakers, dresses, throw pillows, frames, drapes, you name it. It’s out there.
Need more convincing? Pop sensations Beyonce and Taylor Swift both sported metallic looks throughout their 2023 world tours but this isn’t the 1930s and these trends are no longer reserved for celebrities and starlets….
Interior design is taking high fashion elements, deconstructing them, and bringing them home with us. Playing with the same elements – materials, color and texture, prints, patterns, shape, and form we can pillage Gucci, Coach, Versace, and Chanel for sleek, and innovative interiors.
Think… Mixed metals. Concrete. Limewash. Hard edges. Open surfaces.
At home, this doesn’t mean ornate beading as seen on the Dior runway, or crinkle knots as seen on the Chanel runway. At home Metals are a hybrid between Stealth-Wealth, another 2023 fashion trend turned interior, and Brutalism. “Stealth Wealth” or “Quiet Luxury” can be described as understated minimalism through curated details and high-end goods. Quiet luxury in interior design is about creating a space that feels elegant, refined, and sophisticated, without being flashy or over-the-top. Complex simplicity, and organic elements refined with contemporary sensibilities make up Quiet Luxury. This stripped-back, high-quality approach to design is what makes Quiet Luxury and Brutalism so compatible.
Brutalism is characterized by the use of raw, unfinished building materials with a focus on functionality. Brutalism is open spaces, hard materials, and a lot of concrete. The sleek look of concrete floors, walls or furniture fills the social request for clean, calming spaces made through hard-learned technique. “For the year ahead, we’re excited by the artists and artisans who work by hand with natural materials–ceramics, glass, wood–in beautiful, sophisticated ways.” –Robin Standefer for Vogue.
New brutalist style invites in other materials too, wood, stone, living matter, metals, and sustainable materials collaborate to build a warm, welcoming aesthetic while retaining a sophisticated finish.
While warmth may usually call to gold tones, brass, and bronze many designers are opting for silver accents over gold and bronze or even mixing metals where suitable. Silver’s “…captivating shine and texture lend an everyday sophistication to any space,” says Athena Calderone for Vogue. This newfound approach to silver as a formal metal feels sophisticated while staying grounded in natural materials and textural sheens. Even raw “…iron details inspired by Giacometti are in. We have and will continue to see iron details on furniture like side tables, coffee tables, consoles, and benches…” -Jake Arnold for Vogue.
Similarly, stainless steel combined with marble or travertine is a minimalistic approach that feels luxurious. People are also loving aluminum! More sustainable than heavy metals designers love aluminum! Rough and smooth, shiny and matte, the versatile gives way to so much exploration in our homes.
Here at the shop, We’ve been noticing a large influx of metallic framing with a particular attraction to champagne. Champagne can act as a middle ground between the ultra-sleek silver and the uber-traditional gold, Champagne frames play into both metallic and earth tones making it a great bridge between several design styles.
Shop Frames!
A wide variety of metallic frames are available at our shop, Apex Art Lab, Seattle, Wa.
Want to revamp your space but don’t know where to start? We can be your one-stop shop, art sourcing, framing, and installation are all services we offer. Get started here or give us a call at (206)913-2694.
Sources
Agarwal, M. (2022, February 18). Fashion influences that are impacting interior trends. Top Interior Designer in Gurgaon, Best interior Designer in Delhi NCR. https://madscreations.in/fashion-influences-that-are-impacting-interior-trends/
Clarke, R. (2022, September 27). Interior Design Trends 2024 – 26 styles, trends and new looks that are ahead of the curve. livingetc.com. https://www.livingetc.com/whats-news/the-biggest-interior-trends-195539
Metallic: A 2023 hot fashion trend. Hayden Hill. (2023, September 8). https://hayden-hill.com/blogs/journal/daytime-shine-fashion#:~:text=Metallic%20Silver%20is%20a%20Hot%202023%20Trend&text=But%2C%20wearing%20a%20liquid%20silver,this%20trend%20into%20your%20wardrobe.
Sands, R. (2023, June 8). Fashion imparts a powerful influence on interior design. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogersands/2023/06/07/fashion-imparts-a-powerful-influence-on-interior-design/?sh=7fc963537f9f
Taylor, E. (2023, January 13). Interior Design Trends to know in 2022-and what’s on its Way out. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/interior-design-trends-to-know-in-2023-and-whats-on-its-way-out#:~:text=Meanwhile%2C%20multiple%20interior%20designers%20are,space%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Athena%20Calderone.