Fashion ForecastingAutumn/Winter 2014 – 2015

Name: Class: DFD – IV

Subject: Fashion Illustration - IIIDate: 9 October’14

Fashion Forecasting: Fashion forecasting is a global career that focuses on upcoming trends. A fashion forecaster predicts the colors, fabrics and styles that will be presented on the runway and in the stores for the upcoming seasons. The concept applies to not one, but all levels of the fashion industry including haute couture, ready-to-wear, mass market, and street wear. Trend forecasting is an overall process that focuses on other industries such as automobiles, medicine, food and beverages, literature, and home furnishings. Fashion forecasters are responsible for attracting consumers and helping retail businesses and designers sell their brands. Today, fashion industry workers rely on the Internet to retrieve information on new looks, hot colors, celebrity wardrobes, and designer collections.

Fashion Forecasting Autumn/Winter 2014 – 2015:Next winter will be a poetic juxtaposition of the past and the future; classic forms and shapes from the 19th century, the 1930's and 1960's get in perfect balance with new technologies, advanced materials and elegant experimentation. Silhouettes become comfortable with body-hugging pieces, ideal for the contemporary busy way of life. The color palette starts from warm base colors to jewel tones and sensual reds, while prints get inspired by nature or geometry.

Fashion Forecasting Trends:Women's fashion trends continued with references to the 60s and 70s, with a clear message of androgynous dressing and details of vintage men’s sleepwear moved in female sportswear.

It's not a shame to walk around dressed like this! It is true that the choice of a printed satin pajamas as a casual outfit may seems like you're wearing the first thing you saw this morning, while you were late, but actually you should realize the luxury that emits such a dress combined with leather bag and sharp overcoat.

1. 50’s Glam:This is the primary trend we would like to present to you attention. Feminine shapes and unique silhouettes are what compose the greatest part of these looks. Being more particular we can mention the flare and ruffled skirts, classy and classic suit jackets, and options with some squared and oversized shoulders. Also, some designers decided to spice up these looks even more, adding some futuristic details to them, by means of which they managed to modernize the retro style. Some great examples of this type of looks may be found in the fashion shows of Adam Lippes, Calla, Cushnie ET Ochs, Monique Lhuillier, and many others. The complete set of a skirt, gloves and cinched waist makes for the ultimate feminine sensibilities for the autumn-winter 2014/2015 season. Swing jackets and red lips signify style that's more akin to that of Grace Kelly at times but Audrey Hepburn at others.

2. Sleep Walkers:It's not a shame to walk around dressed like this! It is true that the choice of a printed satin pajamas as a casual outfit may seems like you're wearing the first thing you saw this morning, while you were late, but actually you should realize the luxury that emits such a dress combined with leather bag and sharp overcoat.Winter 14/15 is the notion of pajama influence. Marc Jacobs first featured the theme, which was replicated on the runways of Missoni, Rochas and Max Mara. Pajama pants, tops and robes are essential pieces, set to fluid satin and silk Carmeuse. Whimsical patterns like ditsy floral add to the boudoir sentiment.

3. Androgynous:Slicked back hair matches pantsuits, roomy shrug-on overcoats and feminine footwear yet androgynous tones in this season's dressing. The color range is classic black and white and shades of blue and gray.This is where elements of 1970s punk collide with 1990s grunge. Expect sleek leathers and destroyed denim as key materials, joined by moody plaids and floral in dark hues. Trims add to the tough nature of the Rocker theme with embellishments such as studs, zippers, and buckles. For the junior market, the trend can go simple with layers of plaids contrasted against soft chiffon-like fabrics. Key colors include metallics, gray, purplish royal, blues, burgundy, navy, black, and deep reds. Such as Sheer maxi skirt, studded wrap skirt, modified biker jacket, Parka, mixed media pant, long duster, slim pants, and leather sweater.

4. Cubist And Abstract Approach:The typical Madonna's and Rosie O'Donnell's baseball hats stay, but bats and gloves are gone and in their place appeared solid platform heels and long silhouetted proportions, nipped in at the waist but mostly extended to mid-thigh.This is also a very interesting and cool conglomeration of drives and motives, primarily presenting as the combination of minimalism and futurism. So first of all it’s about the monochrome arrangement of looks, patterns like stripes and lines, and the irreplaceable prints creating some optical effects. For the best exemplars have a nosey at the shows from Rag & Bone, Tess Giberson, and Rebecca Minkoff.

5. Ethnic Inspiration:The ethnic and folk (sometimes lovely fairy-tale like, as in the case of Dolce & Gabbana) concentration can’t be left out of the basic thematic options for the fall/winter season. So here it comes presented with brand-new and cool interpretations and innovative designs. They can be grouped into two main channels, presented as the simple and clear lines, also having some minimalism in terms of shades and patterns, and the bright and chic interpretations with boldly picked accessories and patterns as well. Prints and fluffy motives are also in for the key designs. So are the diversely picked and arranged appliqués and their combinations. And accordingly, the ethnic prints and the geometric representations are included in the key options. The folk-inspired tops, suede pants, oversized cardigans, winter shorts and big coats, fur coats and other types of outerwear are all in for the basic shapes. So find the best options with the collections by Nicole Miller, Rag & Bone, and Visvim. The collections of Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, and BCBG may also be helpful in the discovery of this trend.

Fashion Forecasting Colors:For fall / winter 2014-15 women's colors are divided into families by tones, including soft, Bright, Neutral, Jewel and Metallic. Jewel Tones become the most influential by far, with highlights including several red options from cranberry to crimson, along with honey mustard and cooler shades of teal, orchid and cobalt. Also influential are the Soft Tones, which rely primarily upon pastel shades like dusty rose, while neutrals like peachy nude are also present. The Bright, which has been so popular in recent seasons, is scaled back, while prerequisite pops of blood orange compliment cobalt. A wide range of Neutrals zero in on toffee as a favorite.

Fashion Forecasting Fabric And Material:This winter will be marked by the omnipresence of stylish, cozy and warm fabrics. Fabrics used such as Fur, big stitches knitwear, wool and wool effect, silk, lace, metal, leather and leatherette profusion of outstanding fabrics for a chic and warm style.

Fashion Forecasting Prints:Prints are the following striking details we pay loads of attention to when speaking about the basic fashion trends of the season. They are one of the most suitable ways of exercising the creativity and the style of a designer, as well as for later becoming some personality statements for the ladies that opt for them. Thus when speaking about the fall/ winter 2014-2015 fashion trends, we really need to tackle upon the theme of prints in order to have a full idea about the basic inclinations that are peculiar for the current season. So starting our discussion of the hottest fall/ winter 2014-2015 print trends, we may point out the following options in our list!

Geometric Patterns, Color Blocking, Curvy Lines, Checkered Patterns, Thin and Subtitle Lines, Fauna prints, Ethnic Prints, Animal Prints, Roses on Black Background, Night Flowers, Landscape and Trees Prints (Macro), Cartoons and Fairytales (Popular Culture) Text Prints, Abstract and Artistic Prints, Charming keys Prints.

Fashion Forecasting Silhouette:

Undoubtedly, the Androgynous silhouette will dominate for F/W 2014-15. Borrowed from the male wardrobe, pantsuits in loose forms, mostly in neutral colors, are styled with mannish accessories and slicked back hair. The classic 50's silhouette reminds us Dior's New Look and Audrey Hepburn's elegance with full skirts and cinched waists. A silk pajama as outerwear is the season's fun point; we remember this trend from last winter's catwalks of Louis Vinton and Marc Jacobs that became a big street hit. The Sixties shift dresses become modern with high necks, long sleeves and color-blocked. The 80's power dressing makes a huge come back; broad shoulders, carrot pants and cinched waists are the key elements of the trend, with metallic shades, embellishments and optical prints. As for Sportswear, a trend that keeps going really strong for the last seasons, its long silhouetted proportions will be styled with baseball caps and platform shoes.

Fashion Forecasting Accessories:Not many surprises here, compared to the F/W 2013-14 seasons. Flat ankle boots will still be a top trend, since their comfortable shape and mannish character make them a big wardrobe must. The same will happen with the over-the-knee boots that have already been a big commercial success. In terms of high heels, the choices will vary among strap Mary-James, lace-up sandals and open-toe booties.

For bags, the Attach style will be the star of the season, coming also from the men wardrobe. Soft totes will still be on top, due to their practicality as everyday bags. For evening, you will see a lot of embellished mini cross-body bags and minaudieres.