Recently, mix and match styles have gradually become popular in the industry.
What is the trend of mixing and matching?
The original English word for "mix and match" is a specialized term in the fashion industry, originating from clothing. It refers to piecing together things of different styles, materials, and values according to personal taste, in order to mix and match them into a completely personalized style. Mix and match "is the appropriate combination and integration of multiple design styles, elements, forms, and cultures, ultimately achieving a harmonious unity in tone and aesthetics, rather than a chaotic patchwork. Combining elements that are traditionally not combined due to geographical conditions, cultural backgrounds, styles, textures, etc., to form a new combination with unique characteristics.
Home mix and match style is the perfect combination of ancient and modern cultural connotations, fully utilizing spatial forms and materials to create personalized home environments. Mixing and matching is not simply adding various styles of elements together, but combining them in a hierarchical manner. Whether the mix and match is successful depends on whether it is harmonious and natural. The simplest method is to determine the main style of furniture and match it with accessories, home textiles, etc. The fusion of Chinese and Western elements is mainstream, followed by the fusion of modern and traditional elements. In the same space, whether it is "traditional and modern" or "a combination of Chinese and Western", one style should be the main focus, and local design should be used to add layers to the space.
The lighting mix and match style is a further subdivision of the home mix and match style, such as the combination of modern and classical lights, the combination of European and American lights, the combination of American and French lights, the combination of small American and new Chinese styles, and the mixed combination of iron, wood, and bronze art. At present, not only dealers are doing mixed and matched operations, but manufacturers have also begun to experiment with mixed and matched operations. Not only have small factories started experimenting with mix and match, but some large factories have also entered into mix and match attempts.
The most successful mixed and matched display currently is Happiness Daily, which boldly attempts to mix and match Chinese and Western, ancient and modern, materials, and colors. Happiness Daily has gradually attracted high attention from the industry and distributors. Qi Weiguo, who comes from a designer background, told me, "I can't even say what style my lamp is, but mixing and matching is the main style; if we have to define it, it can only be called Qi style!" Similarly, Zhang Yalin, a otaku designer, has also said that her style cannot be defined and can only be called otaku style.
In fact, their style is a typical mix and match style.
Mixing and matching is not random, it has its own inherent aesthetic logic. In other words, it may seem undefined on the surface, but in reality it is not chaotic. It has priorities, levels, and is harmonious and natural. Usually, mixing and matching is more difficult to do well than fixed styles.
It is worth noting that for businesses, mixing and matching is actually easier to achieve, simply by matching according to appropriate aesthetic preferences. As for the effect of the combination, it depends on the skill of the person who matches it.
For manufacturers, mixing and matching tests the skill and control ability of the pairers even more. Generally speaking, it is easier to mix and match smaller factories, while the larger the factory, the more difficult it is to mix and match, and the more difficult it is to sustain.
Therefore, for merchants, mixing and matching is easy but difficult to sell; For manufacturers, mixing and matching is easy but difficult to produce. The future of manufacturers must still be specialization and segmentation, rather than mixing and matching; Even if mixed and matched, it is necessary to distinguish line by line and workshop by workshop, otherwise, whether it is raw material management, production management, or inventory management, it will be a huge challenge and trouble; For dealers, mixing and matching is just a popular trend, it can last for one or two years, but it's difficult to last for three or four years. However, it is worth noting that the trend of mixing and matching in 2017 will fiercely impact the lighting industry.
However, since the trend of mixing and matching cannot last, it is ultimately a tactical principle rather than a strategic principle. This is something that companies worth taking a risk should learn from carefully.