Warrington-based bathroom manufacturer Tissino's product manager Sally Bettison reveals how the worlds of fashion and bathroom design are more closely aligned than ever.
The fashion industry has always played an important role in interior design, not always simultaneously – there used to be a gap of about 18 months but with the 24/7 access to digital media the gap is much smaller. Years ago the time span gave interior and product designers more time to take their inspiration from what they saw on the catwalks. Today the 2 industries are a lot more connected and as such translate into exciting, design-led products that include bathrooms.
In the same way you see key elements from London Fashion Week appear in a high-street store, the same happens for all types of home design. And this is where Tissino sits, at the forefront of innovative and design-led bathrooms that are influenced by the best of fashion design. But how does it translate?
If we think back to the previous decades – take the 1950s as an example, after the war design became quite opulent, clothing was about accentuating the figure and luxury pieces like diamonds and fur were worn. Bathrooms went from functional to decorative – bold floral curtains and blinds, curvy sinks and indulgent gold-effect hardware and not forgetting the most important thing – colour. Let’s fast forward to the 70s and we have patterns everywhere and the overall look in fashion is bold, beautiful and eclectic and what did our bathrooms look like? Swirly and graphic patterned tiles, coloured sanitaryware and fluffy carpets – nothing was off limits!
So where does that leave us now? Today’s way of life is fast paced, heavily influenced by social media but also about individuality, showing one’s personality and being mindful of sustainability and longevity. And fashion has become more aware of the disposable nature it has previously embraced and more about material choices and creating classic pieces that last longer but are still contemporary.
Bathroom design presently is about a clutter-free space that works for all of the family, pattern and a love of texture has become popular and more recently colour has made a comeback after a period of minimalist design and a colour scheme of neutrals. Textures are here to stay and add depth and warmth and the result is a bathroom that’s more individual and inviting. As with fashion and the way you can wear several pieces together from different brands, that same level of customisation is now desired within bathrooms. The one-size-fits all formula is no longer a working business model so to speak, customers want to personalise with unique colour schemes, patterns and prints, bespoke hardware that’s beautifully designed rather than just being practical and top-of-the-range customisable storage solutions and material options.
Textures and colours which were trending in fashion as little as 3 months ago are now coming through into home furnishings, bedrooms, kitchens etc. It's important to stay on top of trends similar to the fashion industry without being too ahead. A lot of fashion brands now buy in small orders so they can react quicker rather than bulk buying. Therefore the ability to order in small quantities for the bathroom industry is also vital to ensure we deliver for homeowners.
Being fashion focused enables you to capture those customers who are looking for a stylish bathroom, and they are happy to invest if it means they get a design-led look – with quality craftsmaship and materials – that has a lasting appeal.
