Every month, Catawiki offers 75,000 objects that range from art to design, jewelry, fashion, classic cars and collectibles, presented in auctions curated by experts. In order to present an appealing offer to its buyers, Catawiki published the 2022 Trends Report last year, in which it presented the forecasts for the coming auction year. Once again, Catawiki is presenting the 2023 Trends Report, jointly created by its in-house experts and the market research agency Ipsos. Here is what to expect from 2023:
Trend 1: Beyond Normal
2023 will be the year in which we say goodbye to traditional rules and break new ground. Individuality is the order of the day, and everyone can find their own style without having to stick to outdated conventions. The focus is on maximalist statements and contrasts.
This is particularly noticeable in fashion, where the boundaries between the masculine and the feminine are becoming increasingly blurred. Art, too, will increasingly free itself from all conventions. Spurred on by NFTs, AI art will conquer more and more space.
Trend 2: Nesting
Strongly linked to the exceptional situation created by COVID, people who have spent a lot of time at home are willing to invest more in home improvements. With a boom in DIY, many projects were tackled and more or less completed at home. This will continue similarly in 2023 as we transform our homes into cozy retreats. The focus is on round shapes that have an appealing and calming effect. Many also hope for relaxation and inner peace, turning to spiritual objects.
Lockdowns also meant that we spent a lot more time in front of the screen than we already did. This is starting to decrease, leading to more analogue hobbying, which is seen in the increased demand for items such as board games and model railways.
Trend 3: Y2K is Now
Anyone who hates early 2000s fashion won't be looking forward to 2023 with pure joy, as pieces like oversized sunglasses, glitter tops and it-bags are making a comeback. Statistics have shown that consumers aged 25-35, who have the highest median disposable income, are now looking to rekindle their youth.
This trend of Y2K nostalgia can also seen in other areas, such as collecting Pokémon cards or driving Japanese drift cars, which first made their big appearance in Fast & Furious.
Trend 4: New Heroes, More Narratives
Expect to see more diversity in 2023: young wine producers and distillers who, with their rule-breaking creativity, reinterpret long-established traditions will finally get the recognition they deserve. New growing and producing regions, such as Great Britain for wine and Southeast Asia and India for whiskey, will also be celebrated.
Collectibles are becoming more inclusive than ever, pushed on by millennials, a core buyer group who is highly conscious of equality and diversity. Old heroes have been exchanged for new ones, which is noticeable, for example, in collecting sports memorabilia, where female athletes and Paralympians lead the way.
Trend 5: Alternative Investments
The search for alternative investment opportunities will continue in 2023 and investment assets such as classic vintage fashion and jewelry can even be combined with some of the current fashion trends.
When it comes to investing in spirits and vehicles, there are new players in town: Cognac, Armagnac and Grappa are practically 'the new whisky'. Classic cars from the late 1990s are also becoming more and more popular. Buying something affordable, of high quality and with a touch of nostalgia will be particularly appreciated in the 2023 car and motorcycle market.
Catawiki's entire 2023 Trends Report can be found here.