Stationery Trends Magazine

The Ultimate Luxury

As the economy plummets, so too do our lifestyles. The birth rate is shrinking, vacations often become stay-cations and new home builds are still looking great, but often lack great rooms. But as Americans, we are consumers born and bred, and still need to exercise that urge to splurge. Interestingly, the definition of what makes a luxury, even among the super-wealthy, has changed with the financial climate. Blue Carreon, a contributor to Forbes.com, recently dissected this topic. "No longer is luxury defined by excess and conspicuous consumption. Now luxury means products with higher perceived value and increased practicality," Robert Bergman, president of Bergman Associates, a boutique luxury branding and advertising company, said in the article. "Demonstrating this is the near-disappearance of the ‘logo-covered product' in the marketplace. The face of luxury is becoming much more subtle, understated and less ostentatious. When your product is one…  » Read more

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10 Designers to Watch in 2012

There are so many talented stationery designers out there, what garners one admission to ST's exclusive 10? I thought a lot about this as I compiled this year's list, since although I knew whom I wanted to include, I wasn't sure exactly why. I finally came up with these criteria: Do their designs feel completely of our time, yet still one-of-a-kind? Is there a surprising quality to their work? These are difficult, subjective qualities to distinguish, true. But hopefully learning more about the engaging personalities behind some of most distinctive lines out there will give you insight into our industry - as well as the talented individuals who make it so dynamic. —Sarah Schwartz Amber Favorite | A. Favorite Design, www.afavoritedesign.comAesthetic of the Line: Classic Americana with a focus on typography ... imagine a Midwestern flea market.Current Bestseller: Hands down the Wedding Carnival Ticket.Personal Favorite:…  » Read more

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Keeping Tradition

Although we live in an era dominated by email, social networking and online chats, many people still yearn for more personal connections. The Elegant Setting's owner Stephanie Finkelstein cherishes a time when entertaining was truly an art form. Formerly a social worker, Finkelstein was inspired to change careers when she found herself lured by the elegance, fine taste and formality of event planning while planning her own wedding. In September 2002, she founded a business in New York City - a by-appointment showroom and consulting service for gift giving, home décor and tabletop design. In April 2004, she decided to change her focus and opened a 1,000 square-foot retail shop in posh Southampton Village, N.Y. The store offered an exquisite collection of tabletop and vintage pieces that Finkelstein acquired from scouting flea markets and auctions. Its focus soon shifted from tabletop to unique, personalized gifts.…  » Read more

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You Be the Judge

In past issues, Stationery Trends has taken readers behind the scenes to show how a line or product is brought to life. When it came to doing so with MikWright however, it was quickly realized that only a more personal approach would suffice for this outlandish outfit, which turns 20 this year. The company is the brainchild of Tim Mikkelsen (the "Mik") and Phyllis Wright-Herman ("the Wright"), who became friends in 1985 while working as ticket agents at the Tri Cities airport in Tennessee. "It's probably better that we're gone," Tim laughed, recalling how they used tell passengers they'd just waxed the floor and to be careful, then laugh as they tiptoed away. "(Or ask) ‘Window or aisle? Smoking or non-smoking? Catholic or Protestant?' And they'd answer!"Indeed, their formula for success revolves around their distinctive brand of Southern snark, namely, pairing old family pictures with…  » Read more

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Designer Profile: Amy Graham Stigler

Like many working mothers, Amy Graham Stigler, Smock's creative director and designer, has devised her own method to juggle a fruitful career with family. Unlike many working mothers, her method involves an interesting form of telecommuting - she designs for Smock, based in Syracuse, N.Y., from her native Wisconsin. Her studio is housed in the back of her boutique, monograham, which purveys a carefully curated selection of paper and gifts. These objects and designs inspire her letterpressed work - as does family history. This is, after all, an individual whose wedding took place in the same spot, and evening as that of her parents 40 years before. Repeating history doesn't mean she didn't carve out a unique career path. Before relocating back home, Stigler studied art history while working at the Art Institute of Chicago and The Museum of Contemporary Art before co-founding Snow &…  » Read more

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