August Newsletter

• Editorial
  - Counting down till kick-off,
• The Baby Boutique
  - Trends for Little Feet.
• Buy Baby Buy
  - Retail Buying Tips
• Accessorise Me
  - Jewellery and Fashion Accessory Speak
• Sharpen Up
  - Leading Trends in Kitchen Gadgets and Knives
• Make it a Wrap
  - Wrapping Up the Season Ahead
  

Make it a Wrap

Wrapping Up the Season Ahead

Words by Coryl Baggenstos

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens won’t always press our ‘most favourite things’ button, but who doesn’t adore receiving ‘bright coloured packages tied up with string’? And with plenty of fabulous ribbons and bows to choose from, the presentation, packaging and displaying of gifts has never looked so glossy, say gift-wrap specialists.

Sharon Jackson, national sales manager of
Pan Pacific Marketing, believes gift-wrapping
plays an important role in business promotion.
“New Zealanders have embraced the concept
of beautiful packaging,” she says. “Women talk, and we all know word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising, so it makes sense to spend time on presentation – it always pay off.”

Jim Jericevich, director of Ribbon N Blues, echoes similar sentiments. “The ultimate gift is one where the expectation of opening a beautifully wrapped
package is such that you almost don’t want to open it.”

He feels that retailers do themselves a disservice by not gift-wrapping well. “If you let a customer leave with a poorly wrapped package, it creates negative goodwill,” says Jericevich. “Teaching staff the art of gift-wrapping should be mandatory.”
Customers would be unlikely to leave with shoddily dressed parcels in destinations such as Europe, America and Canada where fabulous gift-wrapping is expected, says Jericevich. He believes Kiwis are beginning to embrace this art with flair. In a highly competitive consumer marketplace extra effort with wrapping is now a given, no matter what the season or occasion. On the trend front, designs and patterns and textures are plentiful, says Jayne Bone, director of Scarlet Ribbons. “We are spoilt for choice with upcoming trends,” she says. “Natural hues in muted shades of mocha, charcoal and dusky pink will be very popular for both wraps and ribbons, and while aqua stays in vogue, duck-egg blue and spice stand out. Antique patterning will also be big.”

Bone believes textured linen-look and woven rope-like ribbons will be popular for those wanting an indulgent twist. “Organza ribbon will remain a seasoned favourite along with grosgrain ribbon which can be French-knotted for a different look atop gifts,” she says.

Moving away from the bolder cerise and purple shades of last year there’s a strong trend toward brown tones, cites Jackson. “These range from strong to soft pearly oyster tones,” she says. “I personally love the soft sensual tones imprinted on much of the feminine-look designs this coming season.”

Elegant edge

Linda Dobson, national sales manager of Patelena House, agrees that New Zealanders have become more sophisticated with gift-wrapping selections. “The clean, fresh lines of many European designs are reflected in beautiful wrap that Kiwi consumers are appreciating more and more,” she says. “Some wraps are like works of art that people don’t want to discard, and the beauty of receiving luxurious wraps is that most are reusable – as long as the recipient doesn’t rip into their gift left, right and centre!”

Dobson maintains that fashion trends influence gift-wrapping trends. Just as the ‘little black dress’ characterises formal attire, she predicts “black, white, silver and gold wraps and ribbons will continue their elegant popularity”.

“Sophisticated tones will certainly flavour wraps and ribbons,” concurs Jim Jericevich. “We take the lead from European-proposed colour trends. The Earthy Hues range of burgundy, taupe, avocado and hunting lodge, and the Frozen Garden range of white, silver, ice blue and gold, will all be prominent examples next season.”

Eco echoes

In contrast, as global pressure to ‘go green’ continues, there’s been improved accessibility of recycled products. “There are increasingly better choices of environmentally friendly wraps and ribbons without the higher price premium,” says Jericevich. “An example is eco-ribbon – watersoluble paper ribbon printed with non-toxic dyes.” Sharon Jackson also believes we’ll see more of the natural look this year. “Although it’s a smaller market, there’s still a strong demand for brown craft paper and natural jute.”

Wrapping up Kiwi-style makes its own dramatic impact. Korus, Kiwis, paua and jandals all remain popular. With so many New Zealanders spread around the globe there’s a surge of patriotism to purchase wraps which represent New Zealand. Internationally and locally posted gifts bear emblems we treasure year round, particularly at Christmas.

Donna Gardner, owner/manager of Paper Plus in Bethlehem, agrees. “Our Kiwiana range sells extremely well at Christmas, and I notice overseas students buying it throughout the year to send home.”

Native feel

“Kiwiana has gone ballistic,” concurs Dobson. “Customers want the Kiwi summer beach and bach look; it’s a trend that isn’t slowing down. New Zealand natives such as kowhai and pohutukawa on vintage floral wraps are on the up and up too.”

Continuing to stride on into next season are gift bags in gorgeous colours and designs, says Dobson. “Bags are always an easy, stunning answer for tissue-wrapped gifts. Moody renaissance, vintage and art deco are just some of the looks that will grace both bags and wraps next season.”

So with next season’s choices, designs and styles evidently plentiful, that’s got to be a wrap!