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Will the Olympic Games generate sales for patriotic soft furnishings?
The British people have always been very fond of their iconic flag and it has been used in furnishings and clothes for years, with its high spot in the Sixties. Since then, there have been many resurgences of the fashion, most recently when it was part of the Cheryl Cole L’Oreal advertising campaign. With Cheryl Cole less of a style leader these days, the Union Jack trend has died away a little, but with the Olympic Games coming up this summer, it is more than likely that there will be a bit of a comeback for the red, white and blue Union Jack Rugs.
It has to be said that with the best will in the world no one can say that the logo for the London Olympics is a good design. No one really knows what it is supposed to be and wherever it appears its angular lines and amorphous shape doesn’t really say London or Olympics very well. But the colours of the British flag and the iconic crosses of St Andrew and St George are recognizable by people all over the world and anyone wanting to join in the excitement of the Games, not to mention the Queen’s Jubilee, also happening this summer, will probably end up buying at least one item of patriotic soft furnishing fabric, even if it is only a cushion.
It might be a mistake to buy a whole sofa upholstered in a Union Jack – and they are out there – because you will tire of it pretty quickly. But a cushion, a throw or even some bedding in red, white and blue colours without the flag pattern would look pretty good and the white accent makes it nice and fresh-looking. If you want to be subtle, just have white with a thin red and blue piping. Understated is always very stylish and won’t be too out of place when the fashion is back on the back burner.

