The
huge resurgence of leather and faux fur in fashion is inspiring car interiors
of the future, according to Sharon Gauci, Ford Australia’s colour and trim design
manager.
“Leather and faux fur are huge in fashion at the moment so it is not surprising
that they are going to have a big influence in car interiors over the next 12
to 24 months,” she said.
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Besides fashion, trends in architecture, industrial and interior design and
soft furnishings are driving changes in every facet of the car from exterior
colour, seat fabric, carpets, wood grain and plastic finishes.
“The preference over the past decade in car interiors has been towards
more matt finishes,” she said. “But customers can expect a shift towards
a glossier and more glamorous look for car interiors in the next decade.
“This trend is being driven by the resurgence of shimmering effects in
cosmetics, metallic plastics in product design such as mobile phones, and the
use of shiny, smooth leather and leather-look fabrics, suede and faux fur in
fashion.
“Leather and leather-look fabrics have been classic materials used in
cars since they were invented but this new trend is about using leather in different
ways,” Gauci said.
“The focus is on finish and texture with lots of emphasis on details such
as stitching, embossing, quilting, using leather cut-outs and mixing pieces
of leather. The look is of crafted leather.
“The influence of faux fur from fashion into cars will be seen in the
pile of fabrics used in interior finishes. Fabrics will become shinier, glossier,
smoother with a strong brushing and napping effect.”
Gauci said nature is also behind the trend towards greater use of natural colours
in car interiors such as gold, off-white, camel and browns.
“These colours are soothing and create a sense of calm within the interior.
Expect to see these colours enhanced with dark wood finishes, currently popular
in designer furniture.”
Gauci is predicting new trends in exterior colours of cars.
“Colours emerging over the next two years vary from particularly rich,
warm purples, lilacs, reds and burgundies, to striking mixes of soothing, grounded
colours of camel, dark brown and orange, to the clean industrial colours of
white and pure silver.
“Beyond the next couple of years, there will be the emergence of hot acid
brights like lime chartreuse and muted, greener versions of chartreuse, industrial
greys and colours inspired from liquid sources such as clean, pure bright colour
saturations and dehydrated, greyer softer undertones.”
Besides fashion, trends in industries as diverse as telecommunications, architecture
and health are impacting on Gauci’s work.
“Plastics with metallic parts and tinted clear plastics in colours of
yellow, blue and purple featured in computers and telephones at the moment will
emerge in some form in cars of the future. The interior mechanics of products
used to be hidden from view but now transparent plastics are revealing and featuring
this technology and hardware.
“There are also ongoing advances in paints, for example, with metallic
finishes and even paint which changes with the touch of a hand.”
Materials from fashion, interior and industrial design such as mesh and stretch
fabrics are being looked at for application in car interiors. New research is
even looking at fabrics with medicinal and aromatic qualities.
According to Gauci, changes happening in vehicle trim and colour are designed
to offer more choice to individual customers.
“Customers are exposed to so much choice in their everyday lives, they
naturally expect it from their cars. They want to choose colours, fabrics, finishes
which suit their tastes and lifestyles.”
This drive to customise vehicles is leading to a more holistic approach to
interior trim and design within Ford Australia.
“I think you will see more linking of interior and exterior colour and
trim of our cars coming onto the market over the next couple of years. We have
thought of everything – blending interior and exterior colours, carpets
with seat fabrics, wood and other finishes to create a seamless, harmonious
transfer from the outside to the inside of the car.
“I think we are creating something special and I hope our customers think
so too.”
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