A champion of consumers’ unique styles, Etsy has launched a new AI-powered discovery experience alongside its second annual spring/summer trend edit report. Both aim to highlight the special items created by Etsy’s creators and the platform’s consumer communities.
To elevate its discovery experience, the Etsy app with browsable, curated collections based on trends, aesthetics and occasions. According to the company, the visually engaging experience is designed to “inspire and delight shoppers and celebrate the creativity and craftsmanship of sellers.”
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Curated collections seen on the app will be distinct and varied, found through machine learning and human experts to highlight the best of Etsy, including trends like those unveiled in its seasonal trend report. Dayna Isom Johnson, trend expert at Etsy, told WWD that she is excited that shoppers will be able to tap into trends more easily with the new “scroll-worthy experience” being launched, noting that shoppers are hungry for inspiration.
For the second year, Etsy’s spring/summer trend report builds on the latest trends directing consumers to high-quality items. This year’s edition trends include Literary Girl, Island Luxe, Galactic Metallic, Châteaucore, Messy Coquette and Maritime Living. With these trends Johnson said that shoppers will be able to find trends, what’s next and, importantly, items that resonate with them personally.
In discussing the curated trends in this year’s report, Johnson said that one of the most exciting parts of working with Etsy is “seeing just how often trends bubble up on Etsy before they hit the mainstream.” She credits the close connection the sellers have to their customers as well as the flexibility to move quickly adding that “they’re often picking up on shifts in taste or style before they show up on the runway or in big-box stores.”
“I’ve seen certain aesthetics, colors and materials gain traction on Etsy, and then months later start showing up across fashion and home retail,” said Johnson. “I remember seeing checkerboard prints take off on Etsy through decor and accessories long before they started showing up in big-box stores. The same goes for charm jewelry, which Etsy sellers were embracing well ahead of the curve. That kind of foresight and speed is what keeps Etsy at the forefront of what’s next.”
Across the board, Jonshon said that this season “midimalism” is setting the tone where statement pieces are meeting the ease of everyday styles and “personal style feels more natural than ever.”
Notably, these trends track not only aesthetic trends but interests that have grown in popularity – though each trend tells a story. While Island Luxe and Maritime Living explore lifestyles, Galactic Metallic embraces chrome aesthetics and Messy Coquette continues the hyper-feminine style approach to all categories.
The Literary Girl trend, however, taps into #BookTok, a growing community on social media with the resurgence of book clubs. Etsy has seen 20,000 book-related purchases daily from book accessories like hats to ‘bookish’ jewelry. Similarly, Châteaucore embraces consumers’ desire to romanticize everyday life reflected in searches for French cottage décor increasing by 26,000 percent.
Johnson’s personal favorite, she told Sourcing Journal sister publication WWD is the Island Luxe for its “elevated, escapist aesthetic that brings a sense of effortless resort style into everyday life — think airy silhouettes, natural textures, shell details and sun-washed colors.”
Moreover, the trend takes cues from a wave of drama resort shows (like White Lotus) that have been increasingly popular. “Etsy sellers are leaning into it in such creative ways,” said Johnson. “It’s a perfect example of how our community taps into cultural moments and transforms them into something totally original.”
To that end, Johnson explained that Etsy creators stand out in their ability to read the moment.
“Etsy really is where trends begin,” said Johnson. “What really sets [Etsy creators] apart is that they’re not only setting trends but also responding to them faster than anyone else. They’re deeply connected to their communities, listening closely to what shoppers are searching for and responding in real-time — whether that means customizing existing pieces or creating entirely new ones.”
Unlike mass retailers, she said, sellers on Etsy move quickly from idea to execution. “Whether it’s an emerging aesthetic or a shift in shopper behavior, they’re not just keeping up with trends — they’re shaping what’s next.”
