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IHA’s blog features informative posts written to keep the housewares industry educated and informed about key strategic issues and IHA member services.

What Shapes the Trends for 2015?

Trend Bible is a home and interiors-dedicated forecasting agency working with leading international brands to help them understand the future of their market. They forecast future trends in the behavior of consumers in a two-five year timeframe and analyze how this will impact the home environment. The Trend Bible seasonal forecasts for the home and interior industry are…

2014 Housewares Exports – Positive Growth Trends

U.S. Housewares exports turned in a spectacular performance in 2014. Total exports rose 6.4% reaching over $ 4.6 billion in sales for the year! Since 2012 exports have soared 10.5% and every product category has increased substantially. Some factors that contributed to the rise included the low U.S. dollar rate which lasted into early 2014 making exports easier to price,…

Inside Discover Design: black + blum

Based in London, black+blum is an Anglo-Swiss design partnership who joined forces in 1998. The black+blum designs have won numerous awards, including a gia Global Honoree award for the best product design in 2011, and are sold through selected stores all over the world. IHA: Where do you find inspiration when designing new products? DB: We get inspired by everything and…

From the World of Design And Fashion – Tom Mirabile

Tom Mirabile is a lover of color, art, design and fashion, a trend forecaster and analyst, and an inspiration to many. Listening to Tom Mirabile talk about style, trends, color and retail is truly inspiring. And taking on some of his advice could set you on your way to becoming a retail success, and an inspiration to others. Mirabile is always at the forefront of what’s…

Inspiring Innovation: A Conversation with Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, and Katy Lynch, Manifest Digital

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator The four days of the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show will be packed with events and educational sessions. To help you plan your valuable time at the Show, we preview the 21 presentations that will take place in the Innovation Theater in the Lakeside Center. Don’t miss the chance to meet the speakers in person and for the…

Inspiring Innovation: A Conversation with Keith Barry, Reviewed.com; Ian Swanson, DataScience, Matt McGovren, Wink and Peter Taylor, Belkin/WeMo

By Vicki Matranga, Design Programs Coordinator Learn how to develop and launch the right products for the right customer—with the right methods! Be sure to attend some of the free executive-level educational sessions at the Innovation Theater. These programs will give you a fresh perspective as you walk the Show and will inspire, inform and improve your business. The four…

Francly Stylish

“Effortless style” is a term often bandied about in the fashion world, and it’s something that most of us would like to think we could pull off. It is about having a unique style that shines through everything you do and something that others would like to emulate. Francfranc certainly has an effortless style and edge, and a confident stride to boot – always remaining chic and…

Inspiring Innovation: A Conversation with Designers Lisa Yanz Lehman, Mark Dziersk and Mike Elwell and Sarah Hoit

11 Design Leaders Named Finalists for gia Honors for Product Innovation

Eleven suppliers of cutting-edge designed products have been named as finalists for gia Global Innovation Awards for product innovation at the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show. The winners will be announced at the invitation-only gia dinner on Sunday, March 8. The finalists are: Best Collection Design: iittala for Ruutu; JIA Inc. for Steamer Collection; and Parallax…