Asian Paints’ Trend Forecast for 2023 is moody and edgy

It’s Not all Doom and Gloom

The use of darker colours is not only about darker, deeper sentiments, it's finding acceptance in the most unlikely places too, owing to its innate glamour and sophistication. Some of the foremost parts of our lives that are associated with new beginnings, comfort and joy also come cloaked in blacks now, just because sometimes nostalgia can be fun. Goth business casuals, kitchen countertops, sleep pajamas and even baby clothes are all embracing this colour palette like never before.

Our History Makes Our Present

Gothic architecture rose on the ashes of war, power struggles and loss and present times have seen a resurgence after the turbulence of the past two years. The pandemic and political upheaval has altered us at a fundamental level and there are lessons people are not willing to forget even as they are now focused on moving on. This processing of grief and dipping into how we are feeling is finding expression in transformative, transdisciplinary ways.

A Pop Culture Reclamation

If there is a change underway, popular culture is always at the forefront, leading and reflecting how people are viewing themselves and their surroundings. In the last year, TV shows, the music industry, fashion and even food have embraced darker palettes. Only Murders in the Building and Stranger Things, Hulu and Netflix’s popular shows, are capturing this mood with deconstructed walls, vintage furniture and revivalist Victorian buildings while HBO’s House of the Dragon builds even further on Game Of Thrones’ gothic legacy. American singer Billie Eilish is leading the trend in the music industry and fashion has gone to town with labels such as Blumarine, Khaite and the pioneer of black clothing for women, Chanel, making goth the central theme for their 2022 collections.

The Rise of Dark Academia

What started as a little Tumblr trend for students with a penchant for gothic buildings, classic literature and vintage clothing, went on to become a Tik Tok sensation last year. Dark academia is a movement led by a young audience that gained groundswell as schools closed and social media users built their own romanticized ones online. This online community is a stylish world that likes its members smart and a little moody, where study groups are the ultimate social activity and hallowed, historical colleges the ultimate destination. A dark academician’s ideal space resembles a Baroque palace, a Victorian building or even an English countryside.

COLOUR FORECAST

Blacks, Greens and Chestnut explore the intensity of pristine, engulfing colours. This is a colour palette that holds you in its thrall with its depth, mystery and drama. The high pigment and heavy black undertones make for a set of colours that become a shadow of each other, sitting harmoniously and impactfully. Deep reds, aged tan browns and black sea are colours that hold their secrets, only hinting at what lies beneath, what rooms have witnessed over the years.

Hard Materials

Deep and absorbing, these materials convey a sense of a journey, the process showing itself in their imperfect and beaten surfaces. Replete with character, these materials are underlined by friction, retaining natural flaws and acquired marks. In our personal spaces they add a touch of intrigue, narrate a story or become foundational pieces with their monochromatic palettes and strong presence.

Soft Materials

Statement-making and luxurious, these materials make for old-world glamour and mystique. The materials can be used to make a space decadent, classic or highshine. Soft yet strong, from table settings to furnishings, these materials can be used to bring a Victorian touch or create a decidedly sleek, high-fashion look to your interior design.