Fashion and interior design share one notable similarity: both provide a means for an individual to express their personal style be it through their favorite shoes, bag or scarf, sofa or pillows. With the increasing impact of fashion on interior design, many fashion designers are now introducing interior collections to their brand or teaming with an interior designer to develop lines. And so, it is not surprising when perusing the trend forecasts for the season ahead that we see many similarities in terms of color, pattern and fabric choices for both the fashion and interiors markets.

Fashion and interiors trends for 2021 are something of a mixed bag which, thankfully, means there really is something for everyone. So whether your tastes in clothing and home furnishings are simple, monochromatic and understated or flamboyant, colorful, playful and daring - anyone wanting to stay ‘on trend’ this year can do so comfortably without leaving their own personal comfort zone.

2020 left it’s mark. And the omnipresent pandemic has influenced our fashion and interiors perspective in some interesting ways.

In terms of our living spaces, most of us are still spending a lot more time at home. Home schooling, the home office, curfews and restrictions on “sociable” behavior, have left most of us looking at our “4 walls” a lot more than in the past and the need to make our living environments comfortable and pleasing has never been more apparent.

Dreaming of distant shores, be they a rich tropical paradise, a gentle, soothing spa getaway or a city break in a boutique hotel are reflected in the key interiors trends. And those of us with the time, money or just a little imagination are revamping our living spaces to reflect some of these themes. We missed that vacation last year and probably won’t see it in 2021, so why not bring some of those vibes into our home? 

So on one side of the coin we see the sumptuous and opulent - luxury velvet pillows, chenille and cashmere throws, decorative rugs, floral wallpapers and the idea of “maximalism” - the concept of curating our homes into cabinets of curiosities that tell a story of our lives through souvenirs, art and furniture pieces collected on vacations, family heirlooms, memorabilia and historical individualism. 

On the flip side, also trending, we see a calm and tranquil contemporary look. Neutral color palettes of beige tones, soft pink, subtle textures and ocean blue-green reminiscent of poolside and beach getaways. Upcycled, recycled, sustainable and organic fabrics and furniture pieces.

In fashion, florals are huge news. The jungle leaves and riots of bright tropical flowers are a cry to our yearning for faraway destinations. But also on the catwalk are delicate and dreamy vintage and sepia blooms and paisley prints that hark to our nostalgia of bygone summers. Other key themes are “blurred” - abstract digital designs with a sense of motion and also tie-dyed and ombre fabrics. Also popular are patterns derived from natural materials such as marble, wood and the ocean. Floaty chiffon fabrics, raw silks and fabrics with a woven texture. Eco dyeing is increasing in popularity which often gives an irregular and imperfect texture to the finished cloth. These lend themselves heavily towards neutral tones, linen beiges, coral pinks, greyscale and blue hues. Blue and teal are  “the” color stories for both fashion and interiors, led by ocean inspired indigo through every shade of blue and green to the softest of pastel tones seen in denim, silk and linen. 

For  Spring /Summer  the Emma Rachel collections have dipped into several of this season’s main themes. Tropical florals have always been one of her brand’s mainstays, as has the natural, organic textures of beach, ocean and sky. 2021 brings the introduction of some home furnishing pieces to accompany her silk scarves, sarongs and fashion accessories. On trend velvet and silk pillows, lampshades, table linens and a few other surprises. 

2021 styling is a mixed bag and the Emma Rachel collections reflect that diversity this year. Hopefully something for everyone !