Miriam Young has introduced me to Trendwatching report ( www.trendwatching.com )  This is an excellent newsletter indicating the trends occurring globally and well worth subscribing to.

The October edition talks about the latest trend “Perkonomics”.  Why perks and privileges are part of the new currency.

Okay, we have been into perks for a number of years, those of you who know me well, know I will only have “One World” due to my Platinum status.

But, perks are growing in popularity and have become a currency for consumers.  It is a status and convenience and is showing empathy in these troubled times.

Look at this example.

IKEA are recognised as a green business and they are now encouraging their customers to be green as well.

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Many of you ask me to keep you in touch with trends in the fashion market and how they relate to gardening.

Well, for this trend report I’m handing over to J. Swanke.  J has an excellent newsletter for florists (ubloom.com) to which I contribute.

J. and I worked together at the C.A.N.G.C. workshops at their trade show in Las Vegas in September.  These are J’s thoughts.

Trends were formerly driven by fashion; this was followed by fabrics, automobiles and decorative accessories.  In recent years all this has changed and the trend influencer today is entertainment, this includes movies, television, DVD’s and music.

The trend process is as follows:

1. Inspiration meets design – J. focused on how the birds nest in 2008 became recognised as the icon image of the Beijing Olympics.
2. Entertainment reinforces the icon symbol – Billions of viewers watched this year’s Olympics in the bird nest stadium.
3. Fashion meets design – Nike were quick off the mark with bird-nest shoes.
4. Decorative Accessories appear – Bird nest teapots are selling for $84.00 US and the symbol becomes main-stream.
5. Transition to horticulture – The progressive retailers and growers are already promoting birds nest ferns in gold pots.  The “in” Christmas decoration is the bird nest ornament for Christmas trees.

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It is that time of year again when the colour gurus decide on what colours we should be wearing and using in our homes and gardens.

I am not sure if it is because there is concern about economies around the world, but there is a trend towards pastel shades and natures colours.

If you are interested in the colour trends for 2009 then do click on one or all of the following web pages.

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