No matter whether plain or multi-coloured, high-quality fashion accessories are the absolute hit at present – everything that emphasises personal style is permitted. And, under this motto, everything at Tendence 2012 – the most important consumer-goods fair and trend barometer for the second half of the year in Frankfurt from 24 to 28 August – will revolve around products for lifestyle, the home and giving.

When it comes to fashion and lifestyle, intensive colours and big bags are set to rule in the second half of the year. Amusing accessories and matching jewellery are a must for all outfits. “Light fabrics, selected prints on shawls and outerwear, as well as bags with sequins, glittering fabrics and feathers in the familiar XXL format are the trends for the coming autumn”, says Sabrina Nier, owner of Brasi & Brasi.

Angela Boltze, CEO of Boltze GmbH, is also well aware that the home is becoming increasingly important as a refuge: “The general trend towards ‘homing’ will continue to grow in popularity. The desire for stability means the home is constantly shifting into foreground.” Hence, the vintage look is a powerful trend in the field of interior-design products. Susanne Knacke, press officer at Kare, says, “Decorative objects and products for the home that look like pieces found in an industrial loft and surfaces hand-crafted to look like well-used antiques are very popular at present. This also applies to accessories and small pieces of furniture designed to tell a story and give the home the appearance of authenticity.”

Also trendy are natural materials, supplemented by metal, glass, porcelain, biodegradable materials and high-tech finishes, i.e., intelligent products with an unequivocal use. Increasing importance is being attached to natural qualities, especially in the case of products for the home. “We have been concentrating on material and processing sustainability for many years. Thus, the focus of our most recent designs has been, for example, on expressive graining for table tops, and natural edges. And this trend is set to continue for the rest of this year”, say Renate Möller, CEO, Scholtissek.

Tendence, the international consumer-goods platform