What’s in store in the realms of fashion, beauty, design and entertaining this year? To find out, Globe Style asked more than a dozen experts in those fields to weigh in on the most significant trends they see taking shape. If they’re right, you can expect sportier footwear, comfier clothes for both men and women and less intoxicating cocktails on the horizon. Also, guys, trim those beards.
Power of the brow
Grace Lee, lead makeup artist, Maybelline New York Canada
“More than ever, women will want to embrace the power of a great brow look in 2015. I personally love how playing with the eyebrow can transform the face in new ways. From DKNY to Prada, arches on the spring 2015 runways ranged from well groomed to expertly dishevelled. For a fun take on that imperfect texture, I recommend my new favourite weapon, Brow Drama from Maybelline. (It’s essentially mascara for your eyebrows!) Try deliberately brushing the hairs straight upward, which not only fills in your brows but also creates a lifting effect on the whole face.”
Brassica family renaissance
Jonathan Cheung, owner of Montreal cookbook shop Appetite for Books
“I’m looking forward to cooking more vegetables from the brassica family. Lately, I’ve come across many interesting and tasty recipes for whole roasted cauliflower, braised red cabbage and watercress, which are extremely healthy and add a variety of colours, textures and flavours to any dish, at any time of year. I’m also inspired to dive into more bitter foods after reading Jennifer McLagan’s new book, Bitter. When cooked properly and balanced with the right ingredients, this flavour can elevate a dish to new heights. Try using more dandelion greens and rapini, eating more bitter orange and grapefruit and drinking more dark beer and Campari.”
Tyranny of the high heel ends
Suzanne Timmins, fashion director, The Bay
“We will see a huge shift in how women dress in 2015, the result of a kind of neo-feminist movement. It is no wonder that designers are embracing the sixties and seventies, a time of revolution and change, for inspiration. Comfort will be key. Woman will embrace the simple principles of classic dressing, investing in timeless pieces that are effortless and chic. The tyranny of the high heel is finally over, silhouettes are loosened and makeup and hair are natural and clean. Ding dong! The ‘look at me’ peacocking of yesteryear is dead.”
Uprising in architecture
Alexander Josephson, co-founder of Toronto architecture and design firm Partisans
“2015 will be the year of the uprising. Extraordinary clients and institutional leaders will flock to more technologically agile, networked young designers who will come out of seemingly nowhere, challenging incumbent corporate practices lording over architecture and design. Why? They will do a better job. The maker world will continue to liberate ideas, with the emergence of the first 3D-printed house. A schism in design between the New Baroque formalists and Corporate rectangle-makers will climax. What cuisine did with foraging, architects will follow suit.”
Men find their comfort zone
Matteo Sgaramella, founder of men’s-wear brand Outclass
“Over the past few seasons, I’ve noticed an increase in the demand for more comfortable men’s wear. For 2015, I predict this trend will be at the forefront of the market. Men are becoming more inclined to leave behind the overly tight and constricting fits and opting for pieces with small stretch percentages or softer fabrics. Stiff raw denim is being replaced with smooth, French-terry denim. Similarly, stiffer coats, such as canvas or denim jackets, are being replaced with plush knitwear, such as hoodies and knit outerwear. The silhouettes will remain slim and tailored, but with added comfort for unrestricted movement.”
A sweet French twist
Nadège Nourian, owner of Toronto patisserie chain Nadège
“We’re seeing a fusion of French and North American desserts as one of the biggest trends of 2015. People are not only attracted to a familiarity of flavours, but are also more adventurous now and want to try new things. So we’re looking at local inspiration combined with classic French pasty, which works both ways. For example, we’ve put a French twist on a classic North American dessert, the doughnut, by combining caramel Chantilly, salted caramel cream, praline wafer and almond shortbread. We have also done a key lime mille-feuille.”
Parties within a party
Candace Chan, creative director, CANDICE&ALISON Events Group in Toronto
“A trend we introduced this past year that we foresee really taking off in 2015 is the idea of creating multiple ‘mini parties’ within one larger-scale event. This was tremendously well received, as it kept guests constantly engaged throughout the evening while they navigated each environment. Multiple ‘mini-parties’ also allowed guests to experience more than one dimension of a brand throughout an event, where reactions and interests could then be measured through social media. We believe that the more environments and eye candy you offer your audience, the more opportunities you give them to share their experience. Moving forward, it’s about more than just throwing a cocktail party.”
Icons inspired layered locks
Dustin Fishbook, founder of The Belmont Barbershop in Vancouver
“We’ve seen many heavy-handed approaches to men’s hair and grooming over the past few years. The reaction to this will be a more sophisticated and restrained approach that draws inspiration from icons of the mid-20th century (think Yves Saint Laurent, Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, Steve McQueen and Serge Gainsbourg): hair a little longer and fuller, appropriately layered and finished with product that leaves less gloss and a more natural, slightly wind-blown look. In terms of facial hair, trim is in. So, gents, take it back a few notches on the clippers, clean up those lines and step onto those streets with confidence.”
Organic in a glass
Jeremy Bonia, sommelier at Raymonds restaurant in St. John’s
“I think one trend we will continue to see in 2015 is the push from consumers to know more about where and how their wine is made. People want to know what is in their bottle as much as what is on their plate. The growth of biodynamic and natural wines, and the restaurants that serve them, are making many people (winemakers included) rethink what it is they like about wine and how it should be made. I don’t believe everyone is switching to that style of winemaking, but I like where the conversations are going.”
Women’s shoes go sporty
Moisés Valdivieso, general manager of ladies’ product development, ALDO
“Dressed-up sport shoes, already percolating on the ready-to-wear circuit among designers and It girls alike, will be big in 2015. At ALDO, our joggers, sandals, flatforms and even high heels are getting infused with sport-inspired design. Detailing treatments range from subtle to overt – from mesh, Velcro, soft perforated leathers, neoprene and other tech feeling materials to bold colours that move, such as saturated primaries and dashes of metallic. Keep in mind: These aren’t meant for the gym. The key to this trend is mixing and pairing with dressier looks.”
Diversity on the plate
Malcolm Jolley, co-founder of food-and-wine news site Good Food Revolution
“The natural progression of last year’s Middle Eastern [restaurant] trend (Toronto’s Fat Pasha, Byblos and Rose City) will be an extension east and northwards into the cuisines of Iran, Armenia and Georgia. The meta-trend will be more diversity. The generation of chefs opening restaurants today are not afraid to express their heritage – think Nick Lui’s Hakka cooking at DaiLo or David Stewart and Adrian Ravinsky’s ode to Spadina Avenue, People’s Eatery. As Toronto continues to grow up and send its daughters and sons to culinary school, we’ll see more eclectic and miscellaneously themed restaurants that mirror back its multiple cultures.”
Nails become undressed
Rita Remark, lead nail artist at Essie Canada
“Nails will come undressed in 2015! The ‘negative space’ trend has been making the rounds on runways all over the world, proving that it’s not about what you put on your nails, but rather what you don’t. Polish just the moon of the nail or along the edge, as this trend is all about leaving a little something bare. Wear it with a bold, high-contrast colour, like this year’s fashion-week hit, Essie’s Butler Please, a striking cobalt blue. It turns your nails into accessories, and your manicure into a high-fashion statement.”
Cocktails without the damage
Robin Goodfellow, co-owner of Bar Raval in Toronto
“Saying a cocktail is meant to get you drunk is like saying a sunset is supposed to make you tired. Low-proof cocktails (called ‘shims’) can help you prolong enjoyment while responsibly avoiding hangovers. Although vermouth was invented using wormwood and 40 baking spaces to preserve wine, it is a low-proof option that has evolved through generations of craftsmanship. There is a lot of Spanish vermouth coming into Canada, so I predict we’ll all be enjoying vermouth on the rocks with a dash of bitters and orange zest, whether you’re at a fancy cocktail bar or even a nightclub.”
Palette cleansing
Earl Einarson, co-founder of lifestyle blog poppytalk.com
“In interior design, a washed colour palette of beiges, greys and cream will be complemented by accessories such as light terracotta and items with different textures. Think natural woods (like Scandinavian-inspired pieces), lighter wood flooring (washed out, but not white), grey concrete (for flooring, countertops and other surfaces) and sandy tones (furniture fabrics, for instance). There will also be textures, like extra-large knitted accessories (blankets, rugs) in muted colours such as cream, and terracotta (in a shade such as Pantone’s Colour of the Year, Marsala) for things such as dishes, mugs, bakeware and planters.”
Nature indoors
Michael Shaikin, owner of The Modern Shop in Ottawa
“In 2015, the design world will continue to move away from materials such as glass, chrome and heavily stained woods. We’ve already started to see a shift with designers, such as Tom Dixon, using brass and copper finishes across their entire lines. Muted colour palettes and natural wood finishes are also here to stay. Look to Danish brands such as Hay, Muuto & Normann Copenhagen for inspiration.”