As a self-appointed "trendspotter," I am always on the lookout for new ideas and people doing something unique--and not just in the sense of using a trendy chevron in a new way, but truly different than anybody else.

That's how I spotted Fredericks & Mae, the Brooklyn-based art/design team of Jolie Mae Signorile and Gabriel Fredericks Cohen. Fredericks & Mae are tapping into a niche that I don't see too many other places--a kind of spiritual-meets-Native American-meets-meets-tribal-meets-prehistoric trend.

We all know that tribal patterns, ikat, and those types of prints are currently very popular in both fashion and home decor, but I'm not talking about that with Fredericks and Mae; I'm talking archaic caveman-esque, hunting and gathering designs... Hunger Games style. They create objects like bows, arrows, tassels, and "worry beads" too that aren't specifically decor items, but more like artistic talismans or good luck charms.

The objects are part art, part design, and part playful... somehow I want them and yet I don't know exactly how I'd use them or what I'd do with them! They make "war" games, too but their versions are much more artistic and easy on the eye than traditional checkers and backgammon. So go hunt and gather a Character Approved collection of your own in their online store or select retailers.

[Image: Fredericks & Mae]