GIFTGUIDE Autumn 2026

TECHNOLOGY

Practical AI for retailers

IN FOCUS

Mother’s Day and wellbeing & beauty

TRADE FAIR WRAPUP

SYDNEY GIFT FAIRS & AMBIENTE

TREND ALERT

USING COLOUR TO INJECT FRESHNESS AND JOY

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COMFORT ZONE

Using colour to inject freshness and joy.

BY RACHEL CRIPPIN CLARK

In uncertain times, it’s natural for consumers to gravitate to comforting colours or neutrals. But retailers looking to attract attention and win sales still should incorporate something unexpected, says Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute and director of the Eiseman Centre for Colour and Information Training.

In fact, unexpected colour combinations are a highly effective way to inject feelings of freshness and joy.

Eiseman, a global colour expert who studies and advises clients in a variety of industries from fashion and entertainment to art and beauty, says the home and housewares industry has an advantage in today’s economy.

“Because these products are less expensive than furniture, carpeting or curtains, they offer a ‘tempting sales point’ and are ‘a more attainable way to offer sweet indulgences’ for our homes,” she says.

“It’s all about sparking an emotion, showing them new possibilities and helping them reimagine what they have.”

Unexpected hues

According to Eiseman fashion trends are a good indicator of future home trends.

Right now, there’s plenty of unexpected cropping up in the fashion world and she’s been fascinated to see colours traditionally associated with certain seasons appearing in different ones.

For example, both terracotta and teal (typically considered autumn colours) are trending for spring/summer fashions.

Overall, Pantone’s New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer palette is a contrast of warm familiar shades with more vibrant, stimulating colours and foundational tones.

“Celebrating self-expression and individualism, NYFW Spring/Summer 2026 gives us a very new way of putting colours together,” she says.

The key is finding ways for unexpected colours to work with traditional or expected ones. For a home example, yellow or black might not fit well with traditional Christmas décor, but teal green is an intriguing alternative to the usual pine green.

Out of the Ordinary, Pantone Colourwatch

“Right now, pay special attention to colours that are joyful or uplifting such as sunny yellows, sky blues and any bright, vibrant hues. Greens also help us feel grounded since green is mother nature’s most ubiquitous colour.”

How a colour makes people feel

No matter the industry or time period, Eiseman always advises suppliers and retailers to give extra thought to how a colour makes people feel. For most people, she says this ‘associational emotion’ is often connected to nature.

“Right now, pay special attention to colours that are joyful or uplifting such as sunny yellows, sky blues (who doesn’t love a beautiful blue sky?) and any bright, vibrant hues.

“Greens also help us feel grounded since green is mother nature’s most ubiquitous colour,” she adds.

Because the human eye is used to seeing green everywhere in nature, the colour actually works as a neutral.

In fact, Eiseman says Pantone included two greens in its 2026 spring/summer fashion palette, which is very unusual. One is a

deeper green and the other is a sage green, which work to extend the core colours.

No set rules

At same time, Eiseman cautions retailers not to get hung up on one hot colour or colour rules that are too rigid.

“Not everybody wants to decorate in the same way,” she says. “We all have different expectations for how we want to live. We all have different memories.”

That’s especially important today as people might be holding on to things a little longer, whether out of financial necessity and/or comfort. It’s especially important for retailers to provide affordable price points and inspire shoppers with attainable ways to spark some newness in their homes.

That’s a lesson well-illustrated by ‘Out of the Ordinary’, a palette in the Pantone View Home + Interiors 2026 forecast. This collection features mostly classic neutral tones but also includes unusual contrasts like twilight blue, musk melon and absinthe green.

Rooted in the past, focused on the future

In fact, several of the palettes in Pantone’s 2026 Home + Interiors forecast are deeply rooted in the past. (There’s even one called Ancestral that’s reminiscent of caves and early native dwellings with their raw, earthy warmth.)

Eiseman predicts past eras will continue to be important influences on colour selections, though again, they will continue to add unexpected colours and updates to the mix.

Nostalgia is a strong factor these days as is demonstrated by the continued popularity of rose pinks.

“But you have to ask, ‘what can I do to give a little spark to (what’s been done before)’?” she says, as she shares a personal example of how she kept an old beloved floral quilt in her guestroom, but updated the rest of the room with unexpected elements like a contrasting throw and darker furniture.

More retailer tips

Small vignettes—feel like you don’t have enough store space to properly tell colour stories and help customers visualise new colour combinations? Eiseman advises taking just one corner of floor space or using a shelving system to help create a small vignette with several different products that reflect a specific palette. Mood boards—looking for an even more compact way to inspire shoppers or want to take a digital approach? Get creative with mood boards like interior designers use. Instead of (or in addition to) carpet squares and tiles, pull together images of both useful and joyful products that can help inspire consumers with new and different colours.

Local talent—short on time or resources to make these ideas work? Consider local young professionals or college students who may like to intern with you or earn course credit. Eiseman says she’s often blown away by the professionalism of their work. Bonus: As digital natives, they’re completely comfortable putting together story boards for social media. G This article first appeared in the INSPIRED. Magazine, the official Magazine of The Inspired Home Show in Chicago.

26 MOTHER’S DAY

FUN FACTS

As we to start thinking about the perfect gift for the important women in our life ahead of Mother’s Day, let’s check out some (fun) facts about its origins and why it has become such a popular celebration.

1 Following the civil war in the US, social activist Julia Ward Howe introduced Mother’s Day as a pacifist holiday in 1870 with mothers uniting worldwide to promote peace after wars.

2 Mother’s Day as we know it today was started by Anna Jarvis, who, after the death of her mum, wanted to create a national day of celebration to honour the role mums play in their families. The first official Mother’s Day was introduced in 1914.

3 However, Jarvis didn’t like how commercial Mother’s Day eventually became and spent her final years campaigning against it until she passed away in 1948.

4 While the first US Mother’s Day started in 1914, Australia didn’t have its own Mother’s Day until 1924 when Sydney woman Janet Heyden started the tradition of giving gifts to mums who had lost their husbands and sons in World War I.

5 Carnations are the official flower of Mother’s Day after Jarvis handed out 500 white ones at her first service to honour her late mum. White carnations are for those mums that have passed away while red carnations honour the ones that are alive.

6 Worldwide Mother’s Day is the third most popular holiday behind Christmas and Easter. Last year, Australians spent close to $1 billion on gifts.

7

Flowers are still the most popular gift to give on Mother’s Day. Last year around 37 per cent of Australians bought flowers for their loved ones, followed by alcohol and food, an experience and clothing, shoes & sleepwear.

9 Women buy about 80 per cent of all Mother’s Day cards. While dads and kids might come up with the ideas, mum is usually the one that ends up buying the cards (and gifts).

10 More calls are made on Mother’s Day than any other day of the year. For example, in 2020, 13 per cent more phone calls were made on Mother’s Day than on any other Sunday that year.

11 In Thailand, Mother’s Day falls on 12 August which is also the birthday of Queen Sirikit, who is regarded as the mother of the nation. Children give white jasmine flowers or garlands to their mothers, while it is also common for children to kneel at their mother’s feet to express gratitude and respect. Mother’s Day is a national holiday in Thailand.

12 In ancient Greece, people honoured Rhea, the mother of the gods and goddess of fertility and motherhood by organising spring festivals.

Globally, 113 to 152 million cards are sent, making Mother’s Day one of the most loved and celebrated holidays of the year.

Researchers believe the word mum comes from the first sound babies make i.e. ‘ma’, hence the different variations for the word mother including mama, mom or mamma.

20 On 27 May, Bolivians honour mothers who died in the 1812 battle of La Coronilla as they celebrate Dia de la Madre ie Mother’s Day.

21 The Antrosht festival in Ethiopia is all about celebrating mums with families gathering for big feasts, songs to praise motherhood and lots of dancing. This usually happens at the end of the rainy season.

14 The Romans partied hard in the name of Cybele, the Great Mother goddess with days-long parades, music and feasts starting as early as 250 BC.

15 Mother’s Day in the UK has a religious undertone as it was originally established to encourage people to visit their local or ‘mother’ church for a special annual service on the fourth Sunday of Lent.

16 Mother’s Day is celebrated worldwide and while most countries celebrate on the second Sunday of May, Argentina for example celebrates Mother’s Day on the third Sunday in October. Some Arab countries such as Egypt and Lebanon celebrate Mother’s Day on 21 March with jasmine flowers and family gatherings.

17 The best gift for most mums is spending quality time with loved ones. Especially in today’s climate with everyone’s lives busier than ever, getting together with loved ones and creating (new) memories is really all mums want.

18 In Peru, families visit cemeteries on Mother’s Day to honour mums who have passed bringing gifts and flowers, however, in many other countries people do the same to feel close to their loved ones on this special day.

19 A Mothers of America stamp was created in 1934 to honour mothers, featuring a modified version of James A. McNeill Whistler’s iconic painting ‘Arrangement in Gray and Black’ also known as Whistler’s Mother. President Franklin D. Roosevelt personally drew the design.

22 For the Japanese, the second Sunday in May (Haha no Hi) is celebrated with red carnations to symbolise a mother’s strength as kids draw portraits and treat mum to a special meal.

In Mexico, mums are serenaded with mariachi bands at dawn to celebrate Mother’s Day (10 May).

24 Some regions in China celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, others tie it to ancient traditions. Kids give small gifts or write letters.

25 According to studies, a mum’s voice has a calming effect on her kid, reducing their cortisol levels (the body’s main stress hormone) and increasing oxytocin (the ‘love’ or bonding hormone).

26 Mother’s Day is the perfect way to say thank you for many people, recognising the sacrifices and effort mums have made for them and giving them the opportunity to do something for their mums to show their appreciation. G

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Wholesale Mexican Handcrafts

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Zetox Technology Olive Oil Skin Care gift pack range (wholesale $44-$60). info@oliveoilskincare.com.au, www.oliveoilskincare.com.au, www.instagram.com/oliveoilskincare

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Intrinsic Enterprises Hello Gorgeous Mother’s Day gifts (wholesale $11.34-$12.70). hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, www.instagram.com/theintrinsicway

Intrinsic Enterprises Mother’s Day cards (wholesale $2.95-$3.61). hello@intrinsiconline.com, www.intrinsiconline.com, www.instagram.com/theintrinsicway

Ilo Wellness melt massage candle (wholesale from $14.50). info@ilowellness.com.au, www.ilowellness.com.au, www.instagram.com/ilowellness.au

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Urban Rituelle mini fragrance diffuser set (wholesale $15.90). info@urbanrituelle.com.au, www.urbanrituelle.com.au, www.instagram.com/urbanrituelle

Cocco Corporation Maine Beach Butter Bliss Trio collection (RRP $39.95). info@cocco.com.au, mainebeach.com.au, www.instagram.com/mainebeachofficial

SHOW STOPPERS

Thousands

of buyers came together to source from Australia’s best and emerging wholesale suppliers across two levels of ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour at Reed Gift Fairs and Life Instyle.

Celebrating its first year in business, exhibiting at Life Instyle Sydney (14 to 17 February 2026) felt like the perfect opportunity to introduce Good Throw Co to more retailers and industry professionals.

“We wanted to build awareness, connect face-to-face with buyers and share the story behind our products and artist collaborations,” says owner Jessica Sait.

“People really connected with our focus on showcasing Australian art and supporting local artists. With so many artists experiencing their work being copied by overseas fast-fashion and marketplace sites, there was strong appreciation for a brand that values authentic collaboration and gives proper recognition to artists.”

Good Throw Co officially launched in December 2024, with the goal to do things differently by showcasing Australian art and creating meaningful collaborations with artists whose work and stories the brand genuinely connects with.

“We wanted to build a brand that not only creates beautiful, functional pieces but also celebrates the creativity and storytelling behind each design.

“Our daughter is also an Indigenous artist and bringing her artwork to life through our products was a big part of the inspiration behind starting the brand. It reinforced our passion for supporting artists and sharing authentic Australian stories through thoughtfully made pieces.”

The throws are woven from recycled cotton, making them both sustainable and machine washable—something customers really value. Each design is a collaboration

with an artist and comes with a story card that shares the inspiration and background behind the artwork.

“What makes our products stand out is their versatility. Customers use them across the home and outdoors—on beds and lounges, as picnic rugs, wall art, towels, tablecloths or even baby play mat. They’re beautiful, functional pieces that are designed to be lived with.

“Retailers love our throws because they sell all year round. Their versatility means they appeal to a wide range of customers—from home styling to travel and gifting,” Sait adds.

“They’re especially popular with travellers, who love that they can use them everywhere from the bed to the beach to around the campfire. Our Indigenous collection in particular resonates strongly with tourists looking for meaningful, authentic pieces to take home as a memory of Australia.”

HomeLy connected with retailers at Life Instyle Sydney through quality, thoughtful design and meaningful brand stories as well.

Exhibiting at Life Instyle Sydney for the first time, it was the perfect opportunity to introduce HomeLy to stores that are looking for unique, high-quality bedding that their customers won’t find everywhere, says co-founder Mary Acuna.

“We decided to exhibit at Life Instyle Sydney to connect with retailers who value quality, thoughtful design and meaningful brand stories. We’re passionate about building strong relationships with our retail partners and growing together.

“At the show retailers loved the softness, colours and uniqueness of our products and many were excited about how lightweight and practical they are compared to traditional bedding. They also connected deeply with our story and appreciated the handmade quality and attention to detail.

“We offer something truly different. Our products combine beautiful design, premium natural materials and everyday practicality. They are easy for customers to use, wash and love year-round. We also support our retailers with strong visual content, marketing support and limited

collections that help create demand and exclusivity. Most importantly, HomeLy is a brand with authenticity and a growing loyal customer base across Australia.”

The launch of HomeLy was inspired by Acuna’s personal experience after moving to Australia from Chile.

“I worked as a cleaner for a large household where I had to change heavy doonas multiple times a week, which was exhausting, time-consuming and uninspiring,” she explains.

“Later, when we moved to the warmer parts of Australia, we discovered the comfort of lightweight cotton quilts. That moment inspired us to create HomeLy, a brand focused on making bedrooms beautiful, practical and easy to care for. Our mission has always been to bring comfort, simplicity and joy into everyday life.”

HomeLy, with a capital L, is all about providing a cozy sense of home, while for Mary and her partner Alonso it also means Home-famiLy.

“The home has become a workplace and also what brings the family together. For us the most important thing is to provide wellbeing and the opportunity to transform your home in a better place.”

HomeLy products are made from 100 per cent ultra-soft cotton and are designed to be lightweight, breathable and easy to wash, perfect for the Australian lifestyle. What makes HomeLy stand out is the combination of functionality and design, adds Acuna.

“Each piece is made with unique colours and patterns inspired by coastal living, nature and warm, happy homes. Many of our quilts and coverlets are handmade by skilled artisans in India and our collections are often limited, making them feel special and exclusive.”

Long-time exhibitor Axis Toys & Gifts has taken on the distribution of Frankie Ray kids eyewear, an Australian-designed sunglasses brand made especially for children aged 0–12 years.

The brand was on display at the recent Life Instyle Sydney and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, says Eyetribe/Frankie Ray founder Bec Bennett.

“I hadn’t exhibited at the Sydney event for many years, so it was lovely to reconnect with some ‘old’ customers and meet a whole range of new stockists introduced to us via Axis,” she enthuses.

“It honestly felt like we were meant to be part of the brand family at Axis as the

sunglasses were a natural extension to their extensive beach wear range.

“That was the feedback we received from customers too. It would appear that Frankie Ray eyewear just fills that sun protection gap that keeps growing in demand and popularity.”

Designed in Australia with both fashion and function in mind, Frankie Ray sunglasses combine 100 per cent UVA and UVB protection, Category 3 lenses and impactresistant polycarbonate construction, offering stylish, comfortable and compliant eyewear for young adventurers.

Bennett’s career path actually led to the launch of the Aussie brand in 2008.

“As the marketing manager for Little Athletics I saw young athletes suffering from migraines and nausea due to excessive sun exposure on the track,” she explains.

“Eyewear options were limited at the time but the idea to provide quality eye

protection for kids stuck with me. I then worked as category manager at Oakley eyewear and then as eyewear brand manager for the Cancer Council and I saw the growing need for quality kids’ eyewear. With a baby in my belly and sun smart awareness on the rise, I launched Frankie Ray sunglasses in 2008.”

The idea behind the brand was that kids’ eyes deserve special care and protection and that Frankie Ray could see them through their childhood safely in a fun way.

“We always want to encourage little people to get outdoors, be active and enjoy the sunshine, safely and with a smile.”

For Axis Toys & Gifts director Paula Opfer, taking on Frankie Ray sunglasses was a no-brainer.

“Frankie Ray is a perfect addition to our portfolio,” she enthuses.

“It’s a collection that parents trust, kids love and retailers can confidently range across multiple categories. From its functional features to its sustainability story, Frankie Ray offers clear value and standout design.”

Indeed, Frankie Ray is an Australian brand with decades of eyewear design experience and comes at an affordable price (RRP $29.95), adds Bennett.

“Our product provides 100 per cent UV eye protection (UV400), is fitted with shatterproof (UV400) lenses and is specifically designed for our extreme Australian climate. All of our sunglasses are packaged in protective PVC pouches and display stands are supplied with opening orders.

“Our latest release, the Frankie Ray ECO eyewear range is made from recycled plastics (marine debris) in baby and kids sizing that sits neatly in a cardboard display box. It’s a simple and very sweet collection that is a smart choice for any retailer new to kids eyewear.”

10 BRANDS TO WATCH IN 2026

The winners of the 2026 Next Gen Scholarship were announced late last year, shining a spotlight on emerging talent and championing the future of retail.

Introduced by Reed Gift Fairs, this initiative celebrates innovation and originality, giving 10 aspiring brands recognition as one of Australia’s most promising new brands. Each winner received a free stand at Reed Gift Fairs Sydney 2026.

Selected by a panel of expert judges including Pip Brett of Jumbled, Jackson Lane of Homing Instincts, Dilan & Didem Ilnan of The Hills & Co Boutique and Giftguide editor Marion Gerritsen, these brands stood out for their creativity, uniqueness, market readiness, compelling storytelling and strong alignment with the Reed Gift Fairs audience.

Buck Wild Country

Buck Wild Country stood out for its authentic, communitydriven brand rooted in real Australian country living. Designed in North Queensland and inspired by genuine rural experiences, the brand delivers timeless, high-quality western clothing with a modern Australian twist. Its heartfelt storytelling, consistent quality and deep connection to regional communities position it well to expand wholesale partnerships.

Cremechii

Cremechii impressed with its artist-led design, heartfelt character storytelling and exceptionally soft, high-quality plush companions that blend kawaii charm with thoughtful features like removable clothing and poseable elements. With strong momentum and rapid community growth, the brand has proven demand and a clear fit for gifting and collectible retailers.

Ebony Bree Designs

Ebony Bree impressed with her handmade art tiles and coastal-inspired prints, which blend fine art craftsmanship with playful, tropical motifs. Each piece is unique, thoughtfully created and evokes the relaxed energy of Australian coastal living. The brand has a strong aesthetic identity, sustainable production methods and early retail interest, positioning Ebony Bree as a standout creator ready to expand her wholesale reach into boutique homewares and lifestyle stores.

Lil’Kooee

Uniquely Australian, parent-focused infant feeding products that make daily routines safer, smarter and simpler for

families. Designed in Australia with over 20 years of specialist expertise, Lil’Kooee’s award-winning products reduce colic, support natural development and are endorsed by healthcare professionals. Its thoughtful, science-backed approach and clear market fit for modern parents and caregivers position Lil’Kooee as a standout brand for expanding wholesale distribution.

Nourish By Nature

Nourish by Nature impressed with its genuine purpose, creating safe, ecofriendly crayons and bath products that solve a real problem for modern parents. Their use of food-grade pigments, sustainable Australian beeswax and thoughtful, plastic-free packaging sets them apart in the kids market. Nourish by Nature has strong early traction, a polished, natureinspired brand and broad retail appeal.

Spill the Tea Co

Spill the Tea Co is a vibrant, purposedriven brand founded on playful wellness, ethical sourcing and fully sustainable packaging. Starting as a teenage lockdown idea, it has grown into a polished range of colourful, hand-blended teas with strong community engagement, media recognition and successful retail partnerships. The brand has a loyal online following and broad appeal to wellnessfocused, eco-conscious consumers.

Spotto Books

Uniquely Australian, educational travel activity books that make road trips fun while fostering curiosity and learning. Designed and printed in Australia, the

series has sold over 25,000 copies, received multiple tourism award nominations and built partnerships with iconic attractions. Its engaging, ecoconscious approach and clear market fit for families, educators and tourists position Spotto Books as a standout product for expanding wholesale distribution.

The Brown Paper Movement

The Brown Paper Movement impressed with its refined, Nordic inspired stationery that blends materiality, craftsmanship and quiet reflection. Grounded in the founder’s interior architecture background, the brand’s tactile kraft and felt papers, hand bound notebooks and sustainably produced calendars offer a thoughtful alternative to mass market stationery. With strong design integrity, ethical European craftsmanship and clear appeal to retailers who value quality, sustainability and a slower pace, the brand shows strong potential as it re-establishes itself in Australia.

Women’s Work

Women’s Work honours generations of women through small-batch, Australianmade relishes and uniquely crafted gifting products. Rooted in family recipes, local ingredients and collaborations with female artisans, the brand blends heirloom tradition with modern Australian design to create meaningful, premium goods with strong gifting appeal. With proven traction, ethical production and beautifully presented, shelf-ready products, the brand is perfectly positioned to grow its wholesale presence.

Wrap Revolution

Wrap Revolution has a bold, joy-filled approach to tackling waste through reusable fabric gift wraps that bring colour, fun and sustainability to celebrations. With products made from GOTS-certified organic fabrics and rescued European deadstock, the brand pairs strong eco-credentials with a vibrant, partylike aesthetic that encourages circular gifting habits. Wrap Revolution offers a fresh, impactful alternative to single-use wrapping and is well positioned to grow its retail presence. G

STAND AWARD WINNERS

Congratulations to these exhibitors for creating a show-stopping stand at Reed Gift Fairs Sydney.

AQUA ZOI

Best breakthrough brands stand

Funky Ouma

Best new stand

Elume

Best small stand

La La Land

Best medium stand

Bee Dee Bags

Best large stand

Holly & Ivy

Best extra large stand

IN THE WORKS

Giftguide chats to WØRKS founder and director Suze Raymond about the products, the brand and the story behind it.

While the idea for the brand had formed long before, WØRKS was officially launched in 2020 by Suze Raymond and her husband Christoffer.

“We wanted to create sensory products that felt intentional— objects you’d be proud to leave out on your kitchen bench or bathroom vanity,” she explains.

“We felt there was a gap between functional everyday essentials, circular systems and beautifully designed objects. So, we created WØRKS as a design-led, sustainability-first brand with a focus on small-batch production, considered ingredients and packaging that feels permanent rather than disposable.

“We’ve seen customers invest more in the quality of the objects they interact with every day. There’s a shift away from disposable culture and towards permanence, refill and reuse. That aligns naturally with what we’re building.”

Sustainability is built into the structure of the brand, adds Raymond. From the beginning, WØRKS was designed around circularity. Glass bottles that can be refilled. Aluminium tubes and refills that are infinitely recyclable. Packaging that avoids unnecessary plastic.

“It affects everything—weight, cost, logistics, margins—but we believe good design should consider its afterlife. Our

customers value that. They don’t want something beautiful that becomes waste a month later.

“I think it’s the balance. We care deeply about formulation, but we care just as much about design and longevity.

“Our bottles are glass. Our tubes and refills are aluminium. Our formulations are made with carefully selected biocompatible ingredients—they’re not mass-produced formulas dressed up in beautiful packaging. Every decision is intentional.

“There’s a calmness to the brand. We’re not trend driven. We don’t chase loud marketing. We focus on creating products that feel timeless and quietly luxurious.”

The brand prides itself on producing

small batches, which allows them to protect quality, Raymond notes.

“We believe that true luxury takes time. That quality craftsmanship comes from artisans, from human hands. Producing smaller runs ensures that every batch meets our high standards for consistency and freshness.

“It also keeps us agile. If we want to refine a fragrance or adjust a detail in packaging, we can. We’re not sitting on enormous quantities of stock.

“There’s something special about knowing a product hasn’t been sitting in a warehouse for years. It was made recently. It was poured, filled and packed with care.”

WØRKS products are locally made in Melbourne, so the team can stay close to every part of the process, while also supporting Australian suppliers and makers wherever possible.

We’re in our studio daily. We see the batches being filled and the products being labelled and boxed by hand.

“For customers, I think there’s reassurance in knowing exactly where something is made and that it’s not massproduced offshore. There’s a human scale to what we do.”

Trade shows like Life Instyle have always been incredibly valuable for the brand.

It’s one thing to see the products online, it’s another to experience the weight of the glass, the texture of the formulations and the layers of the fragrances in person, she notes.

“We exhibited at Life Instyle Sydney last month and the feedback was consistent: people commented on the quality and the considered design. Retailers were particularly drawn to the minimalistic packaging and the way the products elevate everyday spaces.

“For us, trade shows are about relationships. Meeting store owners face-to-face builds trust in a way email never can.”

WØRKS has been growing steadily since its debut six years ago, however, growth takes patience Raymond admits.

“In the early days, I wanted everything to happen quickly—more stockists, more products, more visibility. What I’ve learned is that building something enduring requires restraint.

“Every ‘no’ shapes the brand just as much as every ‘yes’. Staying aligned with our values has mattered more than chasing rapid expansion.

“That said, we’re continuing to expand thoughtfully. We have new formulations and fragrances in development, which is an exciting process. We’re also investing heavily in our wholesale partnerships and strengthening our Melbourne production capacity.

“But the essence won’t change. WØRKS will always be about creating considered, small-batch personal care objects that are designed to stay.” G

SKIN DEEP

More men are using skincare; up over 20 per cent compared to five years ago.

New data from Roy Morgan shows a 20.7 per cent growth in male skincare routines over the last five years to June 2025, making male self-care more prominent than ever.

Over the past five years the number of Australians aged 14+ using skincare products has grown. In the 12 months to June 2025, 14.4 million Australians said they have used skincare products compared to 13 million in the 12 months to June 2021; an increase of over one million Australians (10.1 per cent growth) over the past five years.

Forty-three per cent of men use skincare products now, up from 40.5 per cent five years ago, while among women 81.5 per cent use skincare products now, down from 82.5 per cent five years ago. The number of skincare users among men has increased from 4,197,000 in the 12 months to June 2021, to 4,899,000 in the 12 months to June 2025; an increase of 702,000 men (16.7 per cent growth over five years).

Turning to age, while 35- to 49-year-olds make up the largest group of skincare users, with 3.5 million people, it is the 65+ age group that has amassed the largest growth of skincare users, increasing by 478,000 people (19.2 per cent growth over five years).

“In the ever-changing landscape of skincare, we are witnessing a gradual shift in how Australians approach self-care, particularly among men,” comments Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine.

“The rise in skincare usage and routine adoption in the last five years, notably

among young men aged 14 to 34 and men aged 50 to 64, consolidates the notion that this isn’t just a passing trend. It reflects a broader change in how masculinity and personal health are being redefined.”

The rise of routine

The number of people who do have a skincare routine has grown from 7,671,000 people in the 12 months to June 2021, to 8,649,000 people in the 12 months to June 2025; a rise of 979,000 people (12.8 per cent growth over the last five years). While more people are reporting to have a skincare routine, the number of those who do is growing at a faster rate; with the gap between the two groups widening.

So, who is driving this rise in skincare routines?

An increasing number of men are claiming to have a skincare routine now (2,194,000), compared to five years ago (1,792,000). That is an addition of 372,000 men (20.7 per cent growth over the last five years), signalling a rising interest in looking after one’s skin among men.

Shifting the focus to age, a rising number of 14- to 24-year-olds have a skincare routine now (1,453,000) compared to five years ago (1,197,000), which is an increase of 256,000 people (21.4 per cent growth) over the last five years. Growth over the five years from July 2020 to June 2025 for 35- to 49-year-olds was the lowest out of all age groups.

A new wave of self-care awareness is sweeping across male demographics, with recent data showing a marked rise in skincare routines among men of all ages. Skincare routine adoption among 14- to 24-year-old men has grown by 103,000 men (28.1% per cent growth) from 366,000 in the 12 months to June 2021 to 469,000 in the 12 months to June 2025. Similarly, skincare routine adoption among men aged 25 to 34 has grown by an impressive 142,000 men (39.1 per cent growth). Men aged 50 to 64 have also experienced respectable growth, with 21.4 per cent (58,000 men) rise in skincare routine engagement.

“A multitude of factors may be fuelling this rise from increased awareness and research into skin health and ageing in the Australian media, to influence from social media, celebrities and male athletes. Sporting figures such as LeBron James, David Beckham and more locally, Nick Daicos with his Cetaphil campaign, are openly promoting the importance of a consistent skincare routine. One thing is for certain, as the stigma around men’s grooming habits fades, skincare is becoming a daily practice for men; not just for appearance but for confidence, health and self-expression.”

Women, traditionally seen as the primary demographic for skincare, are also driving continued growth in the sector. Recent figures indicate a steady rise in skincare routine adoption across all female age

A new wave of selfcare awareness is sweeping across male demographics, with recent data showing a marked rise in skincare routines among men of all ages.

groups, with younger women aged 14 to 24 showing particularly strong engagement. In the 12 months to June 2025, 984,000 women in this age bracket reported following a skincare regimen, an increase of 153,000 women (18.5 per cent growth) compared to the 12 months to June 2021. Meanwhile, women aged 65+ have seen a prominent rise in skincare routines, with an increase of 158,000 women (13.6 per cent growth), aligning with a growing ageing population as well as reflecting a continuous improvement in preventive skincare and wellness. G

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ON A GLOBAL SCALE

Compass Talks kicked off the consumer goods trade fairs, followed by five days of sourcing and networking opportunities.

With over 4600 exhibitors from 170 nations in one location, once again Frankfurt became the global meeting place for the international consumer goods industry. Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld showcased how our living environments around dining, living, giving, seasonal decoration and DIY are evolving—curated, connected and driven by trends and new products.

The synergies between the three leading trade fairs reached a record level in 2026: visitors to one fair attended the other two events at a rate of between just under 60 and over 80 per cent. This underlines the added value of the trade fair trio as an international one-stop-shop.

To start it all off, the Messe Frankfurt team has introduced a new concept, Compass Talks, a new SME meeting point taking place ahead of the trade fairs, addressing the needs of the global consumer goods industry.

“The global consumer goods industry is transforming faster than ever,” explains Detlef Braun, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.

“What matters now are bold small and medium sized enterprises that drive innovation—from artificial intelligence to new business models—and strong, reliable networks. Frankfurt is the central meeting place for industry and trade.”

The speakers on the Compass Talks stage focused on key drivers of transformation and new solution approaches.

“Artificial intelligence is a game changer: it helps companies of all sizes automate processes, work more efficiently and make data-based decisions—securing real competitive advantages,” says Sharon Gai, expert in artificial intelligence and innovation.

The topic of sustainability also continues to offer significant growth potential— visible at the three consumer goods fairs, among other things, through the Ethical Style special interest.

“Sustainability delivers measurable economic benefits—from more resilient supply chains and lower production costs to strengthened competitiveness,” explains Finn-Maximilian Hillen, managing director and co-founder of Recozy Sustainable Manufacturing.

For retail, a consistent focus on customer needs remains crucial.

“What matters is accompanying customers throughout their entire decision-making process—online and offline alike. Physical presence remains a key factor of trust,” says Christina Mayr, VP business development at Westwing.

Compass Talks was also the place where the new Industry Index was introduced, an international sentiment barometer for trade-fair-relevant consumer goods segments presented by IFH Koln and Messe Frankfurt.

The results of the inaugural survey reveal a mixed overall mood. Political uncertainty, pricing pressure and weak growth momentum are posing challenges for companies worldwide. While Asia and the US are looking ahead with comparatively greater dynamism, Europe is adopting a more cautious stance. Overall, respondents rate their own business situation more positively than that of the

entire industry. Across all regions, there is a clear call for less regulation.

“The framework conditions remain challenging—this is clearly reflected in the Industry Index. At the same time, companies are sending encouraging signals when it comes to their own business development.

The strong interest in our leading trade fairs Ambiente, Christmasworld and Creativeworld underlines this confidence.

The industry’s desire is clear: reliable framework conditions and greater entrepreneurial freedom instead of additional regulation,” Braun adds.

At Ambiente, new formats such as the Interior Design & Architecture Hub and the expanded curated brand area Interior Looks strengthen the fair’s position as a platform for interior design and international project business.

“Our expectations have been exceeded: we were able to reactivate contacts we thought were lost and make new ones,” Thomas Hinrichsen, managing director, Conde House Europe, notes.

“Our primary focus is on greater visibility for architects and business partners in the contract and hospitality business and that is exactly what we have achieved.”

The program was complemented by special themed formats such as Spot on Back of House and the Hospitality Academy.

Hamid Yazdtchi, managing director of the Gilde Group, emphasises the importance of Ambiente from a retail perspective.

“For us, the Frankfurt trade fair is much more than just a date in the calendar—it is the heart of our global business activities,” he says.

“No other platform brings together decision-makers, buyers and brands from the global consumer goods industry with this level of quality, reach and relevance.”

Felix Bechtold, CEO of Waldmann, values the personal contacts. “We are very satisfied,” he enthuses.

“The international trade audience is fantastic—buyers come from Asia, America and even Mauritius. There is a great appreciation for quality and craftsmanship, which we are very pleased about. For us, Ambiente is both a wonderful class reunion with old acquaintances and an ideal platform for meeting new people and making new contacts.”

For Tesa Zver from Polonapolona, Ambiente is always an amazing experience.

“This year, we were especially excited to receive such positive feedback from so many visitors,” she says.

Iconic

The story of Polonapolona began in the summer of 2013, when Polona was out shopping for kitchen towels. In the store, she accidentally came across some white coffee cups and felt an unquenchable thirst to draw something on the inviting white surface, Zver adds.

“After two afternoons of drawing, she took pictures of the illustrated mugs and sent them to her best friend, who was looking for the perfect gift for her boss. That’s how she got her first commission.

“Polonapolona products are 100 per cent porcelain gifts for pop culture lovers. All of the heroes gracing our products are developed and drawn by Polona. She is inspired by the independent and revolutionary spirits of pop culture icons, from rock’n’roll legends to cinema darlings.”

Collaboration

Danish Elvang has been synonymous with throws, cushions and scarves in a wide range of designs and textures since 2002 and has been primarily known for alpaca, the material that inspired the company’s two founders, Tina and Lasse Elvang, to begin their work with textiles.

“Our luxurious homewares and accessories are sold in numerous countries worldwide, but our social and environmental commitment remains unchanged,” they say.

“Making responsible choices lies at the heart of everything we do, from securing better pay for alpaca shepherds and employee benefits for weavers to reducing transport emissions, recycling packaging and repurposing fibres.

“This has led to the highest possible level of recognition within the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) as a Guaranteed Member and participation in the UN Global Compact Initiative, ensuring that our supply chains and business model put people, the planet and animals first.”

The brand introduced a new range in collaboration with designer Inga Sempé at Ambiente. Sempé was inspired by two images of a horizon: the first, a field right at

the point where earth meets the sky, cutting the landscape in two and the second, the point where sea and sky merge.

It has been very appropriately named Carte Postale, which means postcard in French, because its nature and landscape motifs are evocative of old-fashioned holiday postcards received in the mail.

The new throw by Inga Sempé comes in six unique colour combinations, selected by the designer to create a contrast that is never harsh or striking, but allows the colours to flow imperceptibly into each other. It was the French designer’s precise understanding of colour that made Tina Elvang curious to see how she could help introduce a new series at Elvang.

“Inga Sempé is known for her very special understanding of colour and her work with Carte Postale expresses a new way of using and working with colour at Elvang,” she says.

“In the collection, she succeeds in putting two contrasting colours, that surprise us when we see them together, opposite each other and making them flow together in a painterly expression, almost like brushstrokes in a piece of art. The colours are absolutely essential to the expression and here she contributed something unique that we are very happy about.”

The Carte Postale series is produced from recycled alpaca at Elvang’s local

supplier in Peru, using leftover wool from other projects that would otherwise be discarded. Pulling the wool apart brings out the original fibres, from which new yarn can be spun and woven into new textiles. In this way, already existing resources are repurposed, reborn as products that would otherwise have required completely new wool.

“When you make a textile such as a throw, the art really lies in the detail and it takes special knowledge to make it look so beautiful and playfully light,” she adds.

“She is also a distinct voice in the design world with an expression that is full of energy and vitality. She always comes up with something surprising and youthful that you can’t help but be seduced by— because it represents something new and interesting but always has roots in craftsmanship and in a skill that is solid and heavy with experience.”

Functional

Design House Stockholm works in the same way with designers that publishing houses work with authors. Rather than selecting a designer to make a specific product, all designers are invited to bring their personal ideas. Some of these ideas are selected for development and production including its popular stepladder.

“The philosophy behind the stepladder is that we try to turn something ordinary that is usually stuffed away in the cupboard somewhere into something beautiful and durable enough to make it part of the interior,” says CEO Daniel Hansson.

“We always make sure it’s functional first but why not make it beautiful at the same time?”

A designer the Design House collaborated with is Lisa Larson, who unfortunately passed away two years ago. She was well known for her ceramics.

“We met her five years ago in her studio and we sat down and we saw this bird sitting on a shelf and asked, what is that? We thought it was fantastic. She said there was a great story behind it inspired by the flower power movement in the 60s which just caught our imagination.

“We wanted to create something around that flower power movement but also relating to the present time, so we called it a little bird of peace. Where is the function in this product? Well for us is that it does something for the soul.”

Natural

The story of OVO Things began with a childhood memory.

Founder Guoda grew up watching her grandparents handcraft beeswax candles for the local church—a ritual that revealed the beauty of things shaped slowly and with care. What started as fascination has grown into a brand devoted to simple, timeless, handmade objects for everyday rituals.

“Beeswax is the cleanest material around,” she says. “While originally used in the churches I grew up around, I wanted to show people that they can also be used in the modern home.

“What started as fascination has grown into a brand devoted to simple, timeless, handmade objects for everyday rituals”

OVO THINGS FOUNDER, GUODA

For example, we have birthday candles that are all natural and we work with food bloggers to show how you can use them.”

She notes that she is allergic to many of the scents brands add to fragrances so she couldn’t even participate in the actual fragrance and candle section of the show.

“My candles don’t have any added smells, to me they smell like honey. They are handmade in Lithuania.”

While OVO Things natural beeswax candles remain at the heart of the collection, she also sells essential holders and elemental pieces for the home.

Motion

Wagner Living has been making chairs since 1949 and the company is currently run by CEO Peter Wagner, who introduced a new chair at Ambiente in collaboration with designer Stefan Diez.

“The focus is to bring people in motion while seating,” Wagner says. “When you sit too long you get back pain, etc. This chair has four-dimensional movement which makes sitting for a long time much more comfortable.”

Since its launch in 2018, the d1 office chair designed by Diez has already firmly established itself in the interior design and architecture sector and is on its way to becoming a true design icon of the 21st Century, especially since its latest tech update.

“Thanks to its patented Dondola 4D technology, it is possible to sit in motion and therefore is sustainably healthy. The 4D joint makes it possible to tilt and position yourself to create new points of balance and comfort when sitting.

“We sell it all over the world and it took us about eight years from idea to design to the final product you see here at Ambiente. It is also available in various colours.”

Ergonomic

Belgian furniture brand Ethnicraft’s Bok

chair, which is mirrored after a goat’s legs and head and is one of the company’s most popular items, is made of solid wood (oak), featuring an ergonomic design.

“It always takes a few years to develop a chair, they are the hardest to develop of all furniture,” says Axelle Moncarey, PR manager.

“It has to look beautiful, but it also has to be comfortable and, for example, the bending of the solid wood is not so easy to do. That process takes a long time; it’s not something you can do quickly. We also have to make sure the wood is dry enough to be used and that’s all part of the process that makes a good quality chair.”

Everything from design to concept to the final product is done in-house, but it all comes down to quality before a product is actually launched.

“We only launch a collection or product if we are 100 per cent happy with it, so we will never launch something if we are not convinced the quality is as good as it can be.” G

The next Ambiente is held from 29 January to 02 February 2027. Wagner

PRACTICAL AI FOR RETAILERS

Giftguide had a chat to AI coach Justin Kabbani, who recently spoke at AGHA Gifted Melbourne, about simple, real-world AI tools that save time, reduce stress and improve product storytelling without losing the human touch.

AI is evolving so quickly, what can retailers do to keep up and not feel overwhelmed?

Retailers don’t need to track every new tool or trend to stay relevant. People often come to me with a list of ‘the top 25 AI tools to learn in 2025’ and my advice is always to start with one of the primary AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude or Grok and stick with it for a while. Each of those tools has a business-grade version that ensures your privacy and data security and is around $45 per month. The more you use it, the more it will learn about you and you will learn about what’s possible.

Begin by building one small habit. Spend 30 minutes each week experimenting with one practical use that helps with a task you already do. Things like writing product descriptions, creating marketing posts or improving follow-up emails are low-risk starting points. Most overwhelm comes from thinking AI is a huge technical project. The big changes don’t necessarily come in one fireworksand-rainbow moment, but rather through continual, incremental unlocks that compound on each other when they become part of your daily work habits. When retailers focus on simple, repeatable actions that save them time, the learning happens naturally.

What are your top tips for retailers on how to use AI efficiently?

Retailers need to see their AI tools as team members and treat them accordingly. One of my top tips is that just because we get fast answers, doesn’t mean we should always ask fast questions. The principle of slowing down to speed up is the unlock here. Providing better inputs will get us a better result. Inputs include both how we interact with it as well as what background context we feed it.

All my programs are based around developing proficiency with my three-part methodology that I call the Prime - Prompt - Produce method.

1 Priming: We need to onboard the tool like we would a new team member, with key information like who we are, what we do for work, how we like to work, what our style and tone of voice is as well as similar key information about our business, brands and audiences we communicate with. Each of these tools has a variation of what is known as Custom Instructions and Memory to store this priming content.

2 Prompting: We need to instruct the AI tools like we would an expert team member. If we’re just opening a new chat to ask a question or request an output, we are talking to a generalist. Giving the AI context, a goal and a process or structure to follow will result in much better outputs.

When you give clear and detailed briefs to your team, the results are more aligned with your expectations. The same is true with AI.

3 Producing: We need to use AI to make things better, not just faster. Most people think AI is a productivity game, but it’s as much about possibility. Getting to a result faster has merit, but ultimately we will all develop proficiency in AI and speed-tooutcome will go from being a competitive advantage to table stakes.

How can AI be beneficial for retailers in their day-to-day tasks?

All of us have tasks that we do in our day that are in what I call the ‘red zones’, things that are repetitive, arduous or just plain boring. Not only do they take up our precious time, but they often drain a disproportionate amount of our energy.

Sometimes the tasks that might only take 20 per cent of our time, draw on 80 per cent of our energy. When we can identify and implement ways of handing off some of that ‘red zone’ work to AI we get a double benefit. Firstly, we get to spend more time in our ‘green zones’ where we do our highest value, most impactful and enjoyable work. And perhaps more significant than that is that we get back all that energy lost. For this reason, not only do we experience more momentum, but it’s very common for me to hear clients say that they’re having more fun at work.

Said differently, AI helps retailers work smarter, not harder. It makes everyday tasks faster, from writing product descriptions to creating marketing posts or planning email campaigns. It also helps improve product imagery and storytelling, which is essential in a competitive market. For small teams, this support is game-changing. It frees up time for customer service, sourcing, sales and running the shop floor. Most importantly, AI helps retailers stay visible and relevant in a marketplace where customers increasingly use technology to decide where to shop.

What

are some of the current trends in AI?

AI is showing up everywhere. It’s on our phones, on social media, in our business software and in the apps we use every day like email, spreadsheets and documents. So, one thing is for certain: you can avoid it in the short term, but it’s not going away. It’s becoming increasingly powerful, more advanced in its outputs and capable of achieving results that were beyond our wildest dreams just a few short years ago. Visual tools are also improving rapidly, allowing retailers to enhance product imagery, create mock-ups and test marketing ideas without expensive production.

Another major trend is the shift in customer behaviour from ‘searching’ on Google to ‘asking’ AI. With Google, customers get a long list of options for every query. Winning in this space was built on SEO (higher-quality content) and SEM (paying to appear at the

AI helps retailers work smarter, not harder. It makes everyday tasks faster, from writing product descriptions to creating marketing posts or planning email campaigns. It also helps improve product imagery and storytelling, which is essential in a competitive market.

top of the results). With AI tools like ChatGPT it’s a more conversational ask and ChatGPT’s response is a shortlist of recommendations. It’s like we have a whole new middleman to deal with.

To stay in our customers’ consideration set we must appear on that shortlist, otherwise we’re invisible to buyers. I call it the shift to ‘the Shortlist Economy’. Just like SEO, there is an emerging field of AEO (answer engine optimisation), also known as GEO (generative engine optimisation) and LEO (LLM engine optimisation), but I prefer to call it ‘AiEO’ because it makes it sound more fun.

Where do you see AI in five years and how can businesses best prepare themselves?

Wondering where it’s going to take us is a dizzying question, even for those of us who spend all day immersed in AI. I’m more of a ‘nowist’ and less of a ‘futurist’.

I’ve figured out all the great ways you can use what we have available to us right now. Most people and businesses are not even scratching the surface of what’s possible. In fact, if development stopped today (which it’s most definitely not), there’s more than enough available to keep us busy catching up for a good few years. Sometimes getting caught up in wondering where it’s going can make it even harder to get your first real, tangible results.

The big wins I see in retailers succeeding with AI come from lots of small wins by individual team members, consistently implemented. Think of a task that takes you two hours to complete the old way and then imagine getting that done in twenty minutes with AI. Then consider that you get that same return every time you complete that task. Then think of similar results across several tasks, across the whole team. That’s what you should be aiming for. But we’re not done there. The

time that we get back from all those wins is where the real opportunity lies. I call it ‘closing the ambition gap’. Ask yourself, what would you do in every interaction in your business if you had more time, budget and resources?

I know that’s a long way round answering the questions, but we can focus only on the tools or we can focus on what the tools unlock for us humans. Here’s something you might be surprised to learn about me. I really like AI, but I love humans more. My framing is always around activating potential in individuals, teams and businesses. I firmly believe that the journey we’re on with AI over the next five years is one of elevating our role, our output and our satisfaction. As we become more proficient and the tools continue to evolve, we get closer to what Abraham Maslow famously called ‘self-actualisation’, the process of realising and fulfilling our potential, creating a more meaningful life. G

DISCOVERING DESIGN

With equal parts form, function and delight, Kikkerland Design is known for cleverly designed products for the home, travel, play, gifting and more. CEO and founder Jan van der Lande shares the company’s roots and what fuels its creativity and success today.

BY RACHEL CRIPPIN CLARK

Tell us about your background.

I’m from the Netherlands and I got an undergraduate degree in agriculture and engineering there. I then came to the US and received a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Manhattan University in the Bronx. I worked for three years at the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, but it was a little boring…it was not for me. I quit my job and started to work in an art gallery in SoHo. It was a totally different direction for me.

Tell us about the leap—and the risk—of starting your own company.

I asked my dad first what he thought of the idea and he told me I had to make up my own mind. So in 1992 I said, ‘okay, I’ll try it for one year’ and after one year I broke even. So I said, ‘okay, I’ll try it for one more year’. We grew very slowly and very organically; it took us 10 years to reach $1 million in sales. But we’ve now grown to offer 1,100 products in thousands of stores around the world. We’re still based in New York City (in the NoHo neighbourhood).

What are your design influences?

Working at the gallery, I got to know—and learned a lot from—so many international designers. The owner was Japanese and I vividly remember a Japanese designer telling me that designing an item is like telling a story. It’s got to have meaning. You cannot just design a shape. We’re an international company so we have a lot to choose from, but you’ll see a lot of items with a good sense of humour and Scandinavian minimalism—thanks to our Dutch roots—and a lot of cuteness, which is a nod to our Japanese ties.

How would you describe your design style?

Our style is playful and practical. Our goal is to create new and unique products that spark a little joy in people’s lives. What we really try to make are meaningful gifts that are better than others out there… little indulgences for your daily life.

Is it difficult after 32 years in business—and so many products—to come up with new ideas?

Actually, the older we get, the better we get at it. But there still

“Our goal is to create new and unique products that spark a little joy in people’s lives. What we really try to make are meaningful gifts that are better than others out there… little indulgences for your daily life.”

CEO

AND FOUNDER JAN VAN DER LANDE

is an element of trial and error involved. We encourage mistakes. If you don’t make any mistakes, you’re probably not learning anything.

Anything specific come to mind?

It’s not a mistake exactly, but 20 years ago I had an American designer by the name of David Dear propose a product called the RainbowMaker to me. It had a real crystal and a cleverly designed solar panel on the outside that rotates it and makes rainbows of light swirl around your room. I loved it. It makes you feel so happy; it’s good for your chi, you know? But when it came to the mould-making, we had to buy the minimum order—a whole container. And you know how they say, ‘don’t bet the ranch’ on something? Well, I bet the ranch. I put all my money into that. We put it in all the trade shows and it didn’t sell. But then after the next round of shows six months later some people did buy. And it took off from there. Twenty years later, we still sell it; it’s one of our best-selling items.

How do you typically come up with new product ideas?

We have an in-house team of 10 to 12 designers and we work with a lot of freelance designers when we get busy and need assistance. Then we also have some industrial designers who give us presentations on a regular basis; we work with them on a royalty basis and put their name on the packaging. We like to work with designers who know us a little bit, but we also have a place on our website

where anybody can submit design ideas. We always give them some feedback.

Do you design with certain customers in mind?

Our number one rule is that the customer is king. So, it’s very important for us to be at the trade shows and talk to the customers. Different customers have different needs. At The Inspired Home Show we focus on more of our housewares and kitchen items.

I understand that the joy you share through your products also extends to other parts of the company.

We work with a number of different non-profits here in Brooklyn and around the world to try to spread joy, wellness and opportunity. This includes 826NYC, which helps kids develop creative writing skills, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum—the only museum in the United States devoted to historical and contemporary design—and international groups like Doctors without Borders. We also designed a whole line of products called Huckleberry to teach children the value of nature through play. A portion of these sales go to the Children & Nature Network.

Have you also built in ways to encourage the future generation of product designers?

Every year we go to a design school and sponsor a product design challenge with the students there. The last three years we also invited a retailer to partner with us; these have included Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store and Barnes & Noble. It’s been really successful and a great way to give back to the next generation.

“We work with a number of different non-profits here in Brooklyn and around the world to try to spread joy, wellness and opportunity.”

What’s next for Kikkerland?

What we do in the future depends a lot on the factories we find (from current resourcing efforts) and the different materials we’re exploring. But I will say we plan to continue to bring customers new and unique items that spark curiosity and that we hope to do even more housewares products. We’ve always said, ‘good design should not only be for the very rich’. Everybody should be able to enjoy fun and well-designed products. G

This article first appeared in the INSPIRED. Magazine, the official magazine of The Inspired Home Show in Chicago.

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