Apparel Online India Magazine June 1st Issue 2018 | Page 39

FASHION BUSINESS
In addition, an interesting trend is of
delicate crystallised or clear plastic
that looks wet and somewhat like
a jelly. This is an upgrade on last
season’s shine and sparkles, which
themselves have seeped into the 2019
forecast as well.
GET OUT & PLAY
The entire industry’s favourite
trend of the moment, and perhaps
the driver of significant growth in
the coming years are performance-
oriented fabrics. As the experience
economy gains traction, mainstream
retail might not gain from this yet,
it bears tremendous news for the
sports industry.
Sportswear Photography by
Haifa Wøhlers Olsen
discreet textures, linen-like macro
weaves and ultra-dense synthetics
are some of the fabric styles that
round off this trend.
FLUID
SUPPLENESS
With all the digitisation of happening
in every direction, this theme is a
no-brainer. Our innate urge to touch,
feel and connect with shiny surfaces
personifies as fluid fabrics and silk
mirrors become a central feature of
fashion collections.
Menka Jha, Divisional
Merchandising Manager of Alliance
Merchandising agrees fully with
the fluid-first fashion movement
adding, “Viscose is the fabric that
will dominate the next year. Easy-
going silhouettes that are a complete
opposite of the body-conscious
movement we were witnessing in
People will continue favouring
outdoor activities and experiences
over buying the latest trendy product
in the market. Hence, even as comfort
remains a key feature, the trend will
explore more colour and texture
variations. As this segment becomes
more of a norm, athleisure will now
be redefined as simply ‘living wear’.
the last decade, will drive the trend
for fluid fabrics. Even if you do basic
cotton, it has to be something that
looks extremely fluid. Since value
addition is totally out, all you can
really do anymore is work with really
good fabrics to add value.”
Textile finishes that give the
impression of being fragile, play
upon milky limpidity, delicate halos
like subtly washed Cupro, or Lyocell,
will help designers in creating
garments which look like a second
skin. Textured lightweight sheers
and luxurious silky fabrics will define
not just the resort or eveningwear
wardrobe but also women’s ready-to-
wear lines.
Slight textures for summer layering
in mid-weight jersey, brightened
chambray, tulle, silk and viscose
blends with tone-on-tone structure can
create powerful subdued effects.
Multi-functional materials like FIR
and NIR yarns for enhanced well-
being, spandex/elastane for stretch
and recovery as well as fabrics with
cool touch, moisture management,
UV protection will gain steam over
the year.
High stretch jacquards whether
compact or textured, closed or
open will help in jazzing up basic
sport fabrics. Stretchy metallic
and luminous coatings and high
compression warp knits coupled
with decorative open/lazer
cutting will be the choice for more
glamour-fixated athleisure.
Preen by Thornton
Bregazzi
www.apparelresources.com | JUNE 1-15, 2018 | Apparel Online India
39