Earworms, at least as I experience them, aren’t the worst thing as far
as pathologies go, but they’re not the best either. For those who
haven’t heard, earworms are melodies that just stick. They manifest in
the same way that persistent, repetitive thoughts prevent folks from
sleeping. They are also the reason I cover my ears and run from the room
whenever I hear one; for example, almost any Beatles tune or a kitschy
jingle designed, I imagine, to torment people like me. If I see you at the
Vegas show, no humming please!
Only those that have “something special” about them get stuck.
If you are interested, google the phenomenon. There’s a body of
scientific research about earworms and how they turn people’s brains
into MP3 players set on repeat.
Oddly enough, FS’ 2023-24 forecast has had a similar effect on me.
It’s full of aesthetic themes and seasonal design shifts that are
explained by Jaye Anna Mize at FS (the re-brand of Fashion Snoops) in this
issue.
Mize says she isn’t a fan of the word trend. Perhaps it’s
because trends aren’t always supported by underlying social factors.
Or, they don’t have the same durability as full-fledged design
movements. My point is that the FS 2023-24 forecast presents design themes
in a way that isn’t merely a reboot of cyclical style introductions.
Maybe I haven’t been paying close attention over the past few trend
cycles, but the current FS report seems special. It presents a unique
opportunity for Furniture World readers to adapt their buying, marketing and
displays in 2023. Giving form at retail to emerging trends by providing
additional context might be game-changing in this uncertain economy. Now
could be the perfect time for your shoppers to get behind an iconic design
movement that resonates with their lives, perhaps even keeping them up at
night like a tune they can’t get out of their heads.
