Stationery Trends Magazine

10 Designers to Watch in 2010

How well do you know your favorite style maker? By Sarah Schwartz, Editor It's been said that clothes make the man. If that's so, then stationery makes the designer. And if that's the case, examining 10 top stationery designers may reveal quite a bit about what's coming down the design pike. Knowing how a popular line performs sheds light on consumer preferences, while getting a sense of a designer's inspirations and indulgences adds meaning to existing product. To that end, Stationery Trends picked 10 designers who can be defined as trendsetters as opposed to trend followers. Some are well-known and longtime strong performers, while others are new to the game. Melissa Danaher Bella Ink Designs Aesthetic of the Line: Inspired by the latest fashion and color trends, it's (both) playful and chic. Current Best-Seller: Our stationery sets are a huge hit! Personal Favorite: Our new…  » Read more

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Designer Profile: Jonathan Adler

Who can't use some 'Happy Chick' in their life?By Sarah Schwartz, Editor There are good designers, and then there are clever designers whose output tends to reflect what people crave before they even realize they crave it. Jonathan Adler seems to fall in this category time and time again — and his career has accordingly thrived. Officially starting as a potter with an order from Barney's in 1994, he expanded into furniture and interior design eight years later and hasn't looked back. Producing everything from rugs and pillows to wall decor and lighting, Adler operates seven stores nationwide, wholesales to more than 1,000 worldwide and maintains a personality-driven Web site featuring his Musings, plus a Manifesto. He also has established himself as a preeminent interior designer for both luxury residences and large-scale commercial projects — and viewers of Bravo reality show “Top Design” recognize him…  » Read more

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Editor’s Letter

By Sarah Schwartz, Editor Beginning a new year — as well as a new decade — is always a good time to look back and review the path already traveled, as well as what the future may hold. When I began producing our inaugural Spring 2008 issue, no one knew what Stationery Trends was of course, and that made filling its pages somewhat challenging. As I called and e-mailed vendors and designers for images, most hadn't heard of us and as a result, didn't submit materials. Were it not for the trends seminar I gave at that year's National Stationery Show — for which all exhibitors were invited by George Little Management to submit images — our premiere issue would have featured a paucity of both stationery and trends. The last year and a half has been quite an adventure indeed. Now I find myself…  » Read more

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Messages of Hope

Sudden tragedy brings inspiration, support and random acts of kindness By Regina Molaro, Special to Stationery Trends As the saying goes, “every cloud has a silver-lining.” For Priscilla Foster, owner of Ro Sham Bo Paperie and Handcrafted Arts in Bozeman, Mont., that silver lining is a sense of community outreach and optimism in the wake of a recent disaster that negatively impacted her business. On March 5, an explosion collapsed three downtown buildings, sending flames and thick black smoke soaring into the air and leaving one fatality in its wake. As circumstance would have it, Ro Sham Bo happened to be located in the blast's path of destruction. Although the shop is located a few streets away from the accident scene, the sonic wave from the blast shattered nearly all of the store's front windows. But luckily Ro Sham Bo, located in the historic downtown…  » Read more

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The Decorative Office

Wherever and however one works, smart design aids smart output By Sarah Schwartz, Editor The last lifestyle domain to receive a style makeover is most people's least favorite — that is, products to help one stay on top of day-to-day responsibilities. But once the collective aesthetic changes, there's no going back. These days, a consumer gives the same design scrutiny to a set of sticky notes as she would a handbag. It's no surprise then to hear Nina Restieri, founder and president, momAgenda, comment, “One of (our) founding principles is that organizing products shouldn't be just practical, they should be stylish too.” Accordingly, the market is rife with polished, professional and pulled-together offerings, created to aid the consumer, but also to accessorize the cubicle, the home office and the person. For example, Fontaine Maury's office release, inspired by fashion and home decor, includes mouse pads,…  » Read more

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