fashion trends and forecasting

Have you ever wondered where fashion brands get their next ideas for future collections? How do they understand the industry so well and predict what their audience wants? Two words can answer this question: fashion forecasting.

According to the JD School of Design, fashion forecasting is using analytics, creativity, research, and media to predict upcoming trends in the fashion industry. Between the data collected by the fashion forecaster, trends can be curated and announced through different platforms and websites. As a previous fashion student, I was able to take a fashion forecasting class where we created our own collection with a specific trend we created through research and data analysis from these different websites.

While there are many different trends that occur in this moment in time on social media, they are not always predicting upcoming trends for the fashion industry (ex, the next season, years to come, etc.). In order to see reliable data and analyses of forecasting, I used multiple websites and platforms to learn more about this field and create my own trend for the project in my former class. Most, if not all, of these platforms also include a downloadable trend report that you can use on your own some require a paid account, but there are some free ones too). These sites are also active on Instagram and are constantly sharing news, trends, and more. Here are a few of these platforms:

WGSN

WGSN is my favorite forecasting site to use as they provide not only trend reports, but images, calendars, marketing trends, and guides to their forecasting predictions. Additionally, they break up fashion trends by generations from Alphas to Boomers. This platform provides very clear reports that are easy to understand and include everything from silhouettes to fabrics, which can be helpful to the reader when attempting to understand why and how the trend will succeed. This is a paid, subscription-based platform. However, some schools provide a free account to access all the subscriber perks.

Photo via WGSN

Women’s Wear Daily

WWD is a great source for finding and analyzing runway designs for upcoming seasons. On top of the runway photos and designer descriptions they provide, it is a great source of knowing what is happening right now or in the near future. There are many trends that are analyzed and predicted by this platform that allow consumers to keep up with the industry. But, not only does it have fashion, there is also business, real estate, beauty, technology, and more areas where trends are predicted and broken down.

Photo via Women's Wear Daily

Pinterest Predicts

I am going to assume that most people, specifically in the fashion industry, have a Pinterest account to create mood boards, outfit inspiration boards, and styling portfolios, too. But Pinterest also has Pinterest Predicts, which gives reports on upcoming trends and keywords that are rising in popularity. There is also a “Campaign Guide” on the website to help you understand why using trends can create popularity within your brand. They also have a free downloadable trend report for the upcoming year that provides short and easy-to-read explanations for numerous trends.

Photo via Pinterest Predicts

While fashion forecasting and understanding trends are exciting, knowledgeable, and extremely useful skills, it is also important to have your own style. Trends are not the end-all be-all, it is fun to break the “trend rules” and create something creative and weird that doesn’t follow anything trendy. Rules were meant to be broken, so don’t forget that along with these fun trends, you don’t forget to be yourself.

k…now rage