Life at TrendBible: Meet Eve our Home & Interiors Trend Forecaster
Our Life at TrendBible series spotlights our team behind the scenes in their day to day.
We speak to Eve Gardiner-Black, our Home & Interiors Trend Forecaster, about her life outside of work, her journey to becoming a trend forecaster and key shifts in consumer attitudes within the home and interiors industry.
Meet Eve
When I first started at TrendBible, I was living and working in Berlin. I am now I’m based in Edinburgh where I live with my husband Andrew and my dog Wally. I stay inspired through painting and crafting. I really got into weaving during lockdown, creating fun, geometric woven wall hangings for friends and family.
As a Home & Interiors Trend Forecaster and Content Lead at TrendBible, I lead the creation of reports and articles for our premium subscription service. One day I can be researching consumers’ attitudes to new forms of wellness for 2027, the next I could be deep diving into why a particular material, colour or product feels fresh for a report on our platform.
How did you get into trend forecasting?
“I am a materials specialist – I think that’s what drew me to interior trends after years of working in fashion.”
I studied textile design at a fashion and textile university in the Scottish Borders, in an old converted weaving mill and graduated specialising knitwear design. I moved to London shortly after graduating and started designing knitwear for high-street brands. But what I enjoyed the most was creating the concepts and trends for each season. So, I naturally gravitated towards trend forecasting, starting my first trend role at a M&S forecasting across womenswear, lingerie, active, accessories, kidswear and more. When I made the move to Berlin in 2019, I decided to transition into freelance, working for global trend agencies across fashion, home, materials & yarn, hospitality, education, cultural mindsets – you name it. I loved the freedom and range it gave me and opened me up to all facets of trend forecasting.
What advice would you give to brands and businesses about working with trends?
There’s a distinct difference between trending and trend forecasting. Brands and retailers can get caught up in the fads we see all over social media rather than focusing on the long-term shifts in the interiors market. Understanding the ‘why’ is crucial for brands to offer products and services that cater to the mindsets of their customers. Our homes are SO important to us and integral to our identity, so understanding the changes in emotion and lifestyle first will drive any new aesthetic or design direction.
What’s the one question you get asked most by brands and businesses about working in trends?
“Brands are eager to understand the Gen-Z consumer.”
The key to knowing how to appeal to any demographic is learning the mindsets that are important to every generation. It’s not a one size fits all approach, and understanding their core values helps to form product ranges and services that truly cater to their needs. Moving past the TikTok trends and looking into their hobbies, living situations, career interests and family lifestyles all help form a deeper picture for brands to design into.
What key trends should brands and businesses be paying attention to in the next 12-18 months?
The shift from dopamine design to a new and more considered style is key for the next 12-18 months. I’m tracking the rise of ‘Midimalism’, which sits in between the ultra-colourful maximalist trend and the sleek Scandi minimalist trend we’ve seen adopted over the past few years. It’s an exciting time for interiors as more householders are taking DIY/decoration into their own hands, experimenting with renovations and renter-friendly makeovers that blend second-hand finds, lovingly restored heirlooms and new design pieces for a softened yet eclectic home feel.
Hear more from Eve on the future of home and family life
Join Head of Subscription Hannah Craggs and trend experts Wendy Lowe and Eve Gardiner- Black as they discuss the unique mindsets of Gen-Z and what this means for product design. Register to My TrendBible to watch the full showcase video.