The NY Times today posted this article about the return of Shabby Chic. After some ups and downs including bankruptcy, it has gotten a new life and is reopening three flagship stores (New York, Santa Monica, and London.)
The company is 20 years old and was born during the last recession, in 1989. It grew in popularity as people reacted against the strong, geometric design of the '80s and began to crave more comforting surroundings at home. I can see how that would be the case now as well, but I think the overscaled, purposefully sloppy slipcover look is a bit outdated.
Also, the article points out that Shabby Chic as a concept became so pervasive that the flea market look is now routinely mixed in throughout a whole host of retailers' lines, no longer being exclusive to this brand. By its very nature, this weathered, antique-y aesthetic doesn't lend itself to exclusive ownership by one retailer as it is supposed to approximate a collected, eclectic look. I hope Shabby Chic has some more design tricks up its sleeve. I look forward to seeing how they perform in this market.
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