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Five Things Trend Forecasters Are Expecting For This Catwalk Season

As the first fashion month of the year approaches, we ask WGSN expects what they are expecting from this seasons shows. In textiles, expect to see a zero-waste approach as brands strive to reach sustainable goals. When it comes to colour, palettes will be timeless and feature fewer tones coupled with an array of carefully selected brights. Prints will be mood-boosting, and in Womenswear, historical ruffles and statement sleeves will continue to lead the joyful expression trend. Read on to discover what you should expect to see on the catwalks this season. 

 

A/W 21/22 Textile Predictions

Amid the continuing pandemic, I predict uncertainty about the future to remain influential in the cautious approach we have noted. With the pertinent need to design for ‘now’, collections will be led by how the clothes feel, first and foremost. Premium quality in textiles, from luxurious wool through to technical proofs, will still be key to add value and reassurance for scrupulous spenders. A high-end level of attention to detail will also articulate a sense of attainable luxury.

It has been interesting to see how a circular and zero-waste approach to design has been inspiring new and original fabric techniques and I am excited to see how that will develop in A/W 21.

Julia Skliarova, Senior Textiles Strategist

A/W 21/22

Colour Predictions

I anticipate a considered approach to colour, with brands placing emphasis on fewer colours. I hope designers will select timeless, classic tones like olive or navy and inject newness through unexpected colour combinations and material contrasts. I foresee an array of carefully chosen, uplifting brights within collections. I’ll be watching out for crimson, magenta, golden yellow and our Colour of the Year, AI Aqua.

Jenny Clark, Head of Colour

A/W 21/22 Youth Predictions

While I expect designers to cater to our continued lockdown reality with effortless #stayhomestyle, I’m also anticipating a little fantasy. From the recent appointment of Matthew Williams at Givenchy to Acne Studios’ electric S/S 21 collection that underpinned our Day-to-Night Party trend, I’m looking forward to a casual yet vibrant approach to partywear that will inspire the market to dress-up for indoor house-parties, outdoor dining and an #everydaydecadence in between. This will feed into the youth consumer’s desire for eye-catching It-items that deliver a virtual visibility, hype for the fashion aficionados and perhaps even dare them to engage in fashion TikTok trends. 

Marian Park, Youth Strategist 

Acne

A/W 21/22 Prints & Graphics Predictions

Though timeless looks will be a mainstay to appeal to the new cautious consumer, when it comes to print, I’m expecting the opposite. As we all crave a pick-me up, I anticipate designers will use the power of print to inject the feel-good factor back into fashion, from fluorescent florals to a mash-up of perennial prints, all in a joyous palette of brights. We’re already tracking this #joyfulexpression trend from the recent Copenhagen collections and I look forward to seeing more mood-boosting prints in the weeks ahead.

Hannah Watkins, Senior Textiles Strategist

WGSN Original Artwork – Heather Roberts

 

A/W 21/22 Womenswear Predictions

The A/W 21 collections, though being presented while most of the world is still experiencing lockdown, will hit stores as we hopefully start to re-enter life as we once knew it. I predict we are going to see a strong juxtaposition between #joyfulexpression led by major Italian fashion houses such as Valentino and Versace, alongside an evolved comfort aesthetic that reimagines relaxed silhouettes in luxe fabrics such as slinky jersey or cotton plush.

The designers that choose to reflect a renewed level hope will appeal to The New Optimist, as highlighted in our Future Consumer 2022 report. Designers such as Proenza Schouler and Lutz Huelle may combine pops of saturated brights with statement sleeves and deconstructed outerwear. Bathsheva and Khaite will continue to reimagine historical ruffles and silhouettes in low-key dramatic blouses and dresses for the everyday. As we emerge from the #homehub, expect outerwear to come back into focus, especially after the success of the The North Face x Gucci collaboration. I expect to see the puffa jacket – whether reworked in cosy textures, modular hybrids, or cropped once again stand out as a staple item for the season, appealing to urban dwellers and outdoor purists alike. 

Angela Baidoo, Womenswear Senior Strategist

 

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