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A bit of background before we begin: Developed with a combination of personal research and data analytics services such as the Worth Global Style Network, the Icon Report is responsible for tracking the evolution of seasonal icon themes, as well as identifying any unexpected individual outliers, in the interest of achieving greater buy-in from the Michaels Trend & Design Team’s partners in Product Development. In combination with a whole host of other “trend specialty reports,” it constitutes the backbone of the Michaels Trend Book.
The coziest season of the year probably feels familiar, given the prevalence of tried and true icons like woodland creatures, pumpkins, and your requisite spooks and specters, but even within the realm of these time-honored favorites, there’s ample room for evolution and innovation. Here’s what’s new in the world of the autumnal icon:
Woodland critters are a staple of the season, with this autumn seeing greater focus on larger, wilder species like deer, bears, and moose, while hedgehogs and frogs (often dressed in human outfits, doing human activities) provide pocket-sized alternatives to the traditional mice, rabbits, and foxes.
Our capped queen continues to reign in the realm of forest flora. This season, she’s attended by the humble acorn, while the classic “spooky tree silhouette” makes a strong comeback.
In the Western world, you can’t have a proper fall without pumpkins aplenty. This season sees the favored standard evolve in terms of pattern, texture, color, and accessories. Introduce toile prints and lush, vintage florals for a fresh, feminine feel, or implement a textural twist by making your seasonal gourds from yarn, burlap, rattan, twine, or even velvet!
Originally affiliated with the common garden gnome, high, conical hats continue to feature strongly in fall. Pop one on a pumpkin to inject a little extra character into your Jack-O-Lantern, or add it to a witch’s wardrobe.
With our year of imposed isolation still hovering right in the rearview, autumn of 2022 becomes our chance to celebrate the bounty in our lives, a sentiment reflected by the addition of seasonal gourds and fruits, both as icons and as floral and greenery elements. Likewise, we start to see the traditional cornucopia reimagined for a modern era.
Ghosts are a Halloween must have, and this year sees them wearing simple silhouettes that pay homage to the sheet ghost of yesteryear.
Alongside the standard skull, full body skeletons feature prominently this Halloween. Lean into the tragic allure of a deadly romance with a rib cage or spinal column strung through with feminine flora, or embrace the witchy woodland vibe and combine bird and other small animal bones with simple, striking greenery. Include anatomically correct organs for an extra punch of macabre majesty.
The sultry spider is joined this season by a whole host of other creepy crawlies—most notably, the horned beetle and the moth. Double points if it’s a Death’s- head.
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