Story shared from The Link Magazine, 2025.
We had the privilege of speaking with Patti to uncover her expert insights on the future of giftware and emerging color trends!
Patti Carpenter, Principal of carpenter + company, is an award-winning designer specializing in globally sourced home décor, accessories, fragrances, and gifts. With extensive expertise in product design and development, merchandising, and color and trend forecasting, Patti is a trusted consultant for Pantone and a leading voice in the industry. For over a decade, she has served as the Global Trend Ambassador for Maison & Objet, Paris, shaping global design conversations. Her accolades include the 2021 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award, the 2021 Withit Industry Leadership Award for the Kaleidoscope Project, and the 2023 Trailblazer Award from the International Furniture and Design Association (IFDA).
Q: How do you forecast trends? How do you know what’s going to happen?
A: I travel the world, always out and about at tradeshows in the US and globally, where many customers can’t go, so I bring my findings back to them. I use the acronym SPENT (Social, Political, Economic, Nature, Technology) to connect the dots from various points in culture to product. When we bring you information, it’s funneling through this sieve to arrive at our conclusions and recommendations. I’m also always asking Why?’ My mother said I came out of the womb asking ‘Why?’
Q: What are some current giftware trends you’ve been following?
A: We’re seeing a great deal of personalization as well as a rise in private label brands. These are standing out. Also, the eco-aware customer is asking for origin of products, where are they made, and who is making them? We as an industry need to have those answers. Related to eco-awareness, we’re seeing growing competition from DIY and homemade.
Q: What are you seeing for color trends?
A: Colors that convey a sense of optimism and hope are continuing to trend. That includes a palette of blues and turquoise, and those golden yellows and oranges. Lavender is a color that is popular in Europe but is now on the rise in the United States, especially blue-casted lavender.
Q: Why are colors so important?
A: Color is 50-85%, depending on who you’re talking to, of what draws someone to look at something. Understanding color has to be top-of-mind. We know personally that if we don’t like the color of something, it’s not the first thing you’ll pick up.
Q: What about materials?
A: It’s important and tells a story of skill and workmanship. I’ve seen a great deal of copper both as a color and a material, making its way to the US market; especially in the world of kitchens and baths. One material trend that surprised me was what I call molten and melting; I even spotted holiday decor where it appeared that the sequins were melting.
Q: What else have you seen out there that’s surprising?
A: This example shows you just how far out I’m looking. A young woman has created candy made out of recycled cotton and linen. The glucose is broken down from the fiber and informs the shape of the candy. I like sharing these findings to inspire retailers and manufacturers to think outside the box and ‘live life colorfully,’ as I like to say.
Q: What’s next for the next big trend movement?
A: We are constantly looking at the way in which things are moving forward. Many years ago, it was about revolution in trends, now it’s about evolution, how are things changing subtly to keep it fresh? How are people combining things to bring new life to merchandising?
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