feb. 2018

TOY FAIR NY &

NYC COMP SHOPrecap

SLIME/ CLAY/ PUTTY

highlights at-a-glance

TOY FAIR

STEM/ STEAM/ STREAM POTTY TALK & ICK FACTOR MILLENN IAL NOSTALG IA

POOL FLOATS...with glitter!DINOSAURS KAWAI I GRAPH ICS

SURPRISE TOYS SQUISH IES & SUCH UNICORNS & FANTASY CREATURESTINY TECH PETS

TOY FAIRSTEM/ STEAM/ STREAM POTTY TALK & THE ICK FACTOR

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• STEM/STEAM/STREAM & DIY Science toys were more prevalent than ever at the show • robotics, coding & circuitry were very popular within STREAM items• STREAM toys are primarily unisex; however, there were a noticeable amount geared towards getting girls interested in science (ex: spa & beauty lab & chemistry kits)

• triggered by the popularity of the poop emoji, the obsession with potty talk and anything disgusting is growing-games & toys based on poop, science kits to concoct fart scents, plush toys that toots their own unique scents, and pimple popping games were amongst the trending disgust

TOY FAIRMILLENN IAL NOSTALG IA SLIME & PUTTIES CONTINUE

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• millennials' (1981-1997) love for all things nostalgic also influence their buying choices for their own children

• parents are turning to classic toys and retro brands that take them back to their own childhood

• slime shows no sign of slowing down (hooray!) with evolutions including an abundance of putties and clays, slime making kits with fun additives, games incorporating slime into the competition and even Num-Noms Dippers color changing slime blind packs, which combining the element of surprise with our favorite...slime!

feb. 2018

NYC COMP SHOPrecap

NEW YORK NEIGHBORHOODS

Tourist epicenter; Central Park and fine art museums; a blend of luxury and mid-market department stores, designer flagships and mass-market chains; Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

UPPER EAST SIDE

Tourist epicenter; Fifth Avenue, Bryant Park, Times Square and Herald Square; a blend of luxury and mid-market department stores, designer flagships and mass-market chains.

MIDTOWN

MEAT PACKING/CHELSEATrendy boutique hotels, nightlife and important art galleries; young designer flagships and upscale multi-brand boutiques; sidewalk dining and people-watching; entrance to the High Line.

FLAT IRON/UNION SQUARELocal gathering spot and skateboarding scene; Greenmarket and art fairs; mid-mar-ket chains galore on lower Fifth Avenue.

NOHOA mix of historic buildings and new architecture; quiet cobblestone streets; up-and-coming shopping area; just north of SoHo/NoLIta.

SOHOCobblestone streets filled with shops and restaurants; luxury design houses, mid-market chains and specialty boutiques; chic people-watching.

EAST VILLAGEHipster hub; mix of trendy cafes and dive bars; independent and vintage boutiques.

CHINA TOWNSouth of Little Italy; home to authentic Chinese eateries; Canal Street.

NOLITATrendy, one-of-a-kind boutiques compared to neighboring SoHo; designer-hipster hangout; charming streets and neighborhood vibe.

TRIBECAIndustrial buildings on cobblestone streets; posh residential vibe for wealthy downtown families; scattered stores in a small area; just south of SoHo.

BROOKLYNDumbo, Bococoa, Fort Green/Clinton Hill, Williamsburg/Greenpoint- Ultimate hipster hub; bou-tiques, arts, thriving dining and bar scene.

WEST VILLAGEPicturesque tree-lined streets; trendy outdoor cafe; high-end lifestyle brands and boutiques.

LOWER EAST SIDEIndependent boutiques; gritty-chic streets; hip bistro and bar-hopping culture.

Upscale residential neighborhood; intellectual hub with Columbia University locat-ed just north; home to Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center.

UPPER WEST SIDE

HOME DECOR

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• surprising to see for Spring, but dark & dramatic in home decor was seen across various retailers

• taking note from the celestial galaxy colorway, black, grays, navys, blues and purples are key colors

• luxe materials such as velvet, embroidery, and touches of gold elevate this modern opulent look

• smoked glass was paired with matte black & lava stone dishes for a dark and moody tablescape

dark & dramatic

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• modern farmhouse decor was prevalent with a balance of modern, rustic, and vintage elements

• white, greys, blacks, and warm neutrals still ground this aesthetic, but touches of terracotta, marigold, and navy were common accent colors • simple stripes and block patterns were used to create a modern touch

HOME DECORmodern farmhouse inspiration

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• all shades of purples, mauves, blush, and peach were popular floral colors seen throughout the city • the Anthurium was a popular flower seen repeatedly in unique shades of peach, purple-mauve, and burgundy• repeatedly noticed orange trees on display in boutiques, for- sale from street vendors & plant shops, and in apartment windows...something to keep an eye on :)

FLORAL

GREENERY & CONTAINERS

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• plants, succulents and greenery still making a large statement

• wall planters and displays of plants covering entire walls were seen at several locations throughout the city

• moss was popular and seen several times used as a wall decor piece, a hanging planter, and as a filler

JEWELRY

• jewelry is being influenced by the 90's grunge/goth resurgence in apparel

• silver was the predominant metal seen for this look, but gold was also used

• charms such as skulls, swords, snakes, ouija, bones, and skeleton keys were seen, often paired with lava beads and leather cording

• (far right images): artisans jewelry using marbling and gold flakes in resin was a technique repeatedly seen

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES

• imperfect & organic shaped stones add to the popular handcrafted, artisan look

• tiny flowers cast in resin were used to create bracelets, earrings and charms

• 80's & 90's inspired jewelry was created using bright colored plastic & acrylic

• large statement pieces were more common than compared to last year's comp shop trip

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES

JEWELRY

SUNGLASSES

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• sunglasses seem to be following the maximalism/opu-lence trend in apparel with plenty of bling, rhinestones and glitter• frame styles were reminscent of popular styles of the late 80's & 90's

• colored & ombre lenses were prevalent

• monotone frames & lenses were seen repeatedly

• cat-eye shape were popular; even influencing the novelty heart-shaped sunnies, which now angle upward

• round frames were also a very common style

ICONSBANANAS RETRO ROSES

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• bananas as an icon are growing in popularity

• popular in both mass retailers and boutiques

• spanning stationery & gift, pet, kids, apparel, and decor

• the "retro rose" is continuing to pick up momentum across gift and apparel

• now seeing it evolve as clusters, in patterns, and even seeing style variation-ex: the wilting rose on the phone case in the middle right image

ICONSSKULLS & SKELETONS D INOS

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• skulls & skeletons were pervalent across multiple shops and layers into the overall 90's grunge/goth resurgence • skulls formed from other icons (ex:butterflies & flowers) adds a fresh twist and adds a touch of feminity • human and dinosaur skulls/skeletons were the most popular

• not only very popular in Kids & Toys, the dinosaur (and dino skeletons) is a very popular icon across stationery & gift, and apparel

• dinosaurs doing things & taking on human characteristics adds newness to this beloved icon

ON OUR RADARBOB ROSS KEITH HARING & INSPIRED ART

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• another nostalgic 80's & 90's influence, Bob Ross was seen across the stationery & gift market, as well as, a license property at Toy Fair

• fun fact: strangely enough, Bob Ross videos have recently gained a cult following for their triggering of ASMR in certain individuals...just like slime videos :)

• also a part of all things 80's nostalgia, Keith Haring and artwork inspired by his style, was spotted in various boutiques & locales throughout NYC

• Keith Haring was also a new licensed property at Toy Fair

ON OUR RADAR3D BEADED BAGS & FIGURINES

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• handbags & figurines constructed of beads were seen at a variety of different artisan markets and boutiques

• we've been tracking the influence retro Western & Prairie styles in high-fashion for a bit now, but recently are seeing it more in the mass market • we are watching this micro trend to see if & how it's influence translates into other product categories

RETRO WILD WEST & PRAIRIE INSPIRED

POPULAR ART STYLESPHOTOREAL ART PIXEL ART

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• photoreal art seems to be growing in popularity- spanning both high-end and mass-market stores • food items, especially pizza, seems to be a favorite motif...and an added scent, like the scratch & sniff pepproni pizza notepad pictured above can make it a multi-sensory experience :)

• fueled by nostalgia of the 80's & 90's and Minecraft, pixel-style art is gaining popularity showing up in toy form, as street art, and adorning apparel

MATERIALS & FINISHESDIAMOND DOTZ INSPO, RH INESTONES & GLITTER COLOR METALLICS & FO IL

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• lots of sparkle was prevalent spanning kids, stationery, gift, apparel & accessories

• noticeably, the glitter used on or in product was large, chunky, and confetti-like, as opposed to fine

• diamond dotz style patches & embellishments were popular

• although still seeing gold & silver finishes, noticed a considerable amount of colored metallics

MATERIALS & FINISHES

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• colored & tinted glass was very popular at multiple stores -from glass & dinner ware, to decor pieces

• ombre, texture, and iridescent finishes added interest

glass

KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES KEY TRENDS & OTHER NOTABLES• dark holographic finishes remain very popular spanning multiple product categories

• gold overlay and tint added to the standard holographic finish (top row) softens the colors and adds a touch of sophstication

• speckled and marbled ceramics were seen at variety of stores & artisan markets

• items included planters, vases, decorative trays, incense burners and dishes

• popular color combos seen repeatedly: grey & white and blush & blues

MATERIALS & FINISHESDARK HOLOGRAPHIC/ IRIDESCENT/ O IL SLICK SPECKLED & MARBLED CERAMICS