To try to predict the trends of the season is seemingly hard because we are trying to assume the workings of an artist’s mind. A mind that can be inspired by anything from the geometry of an angular building to the intricate detailing of a hand carved chair, an artists source of inspiration is everywhere, its blowing in the wind. However, in fashion there has been a recent shift from the artist to the business. Raf Simons exclusive interview (ironically) to the Business of Fashion was the most prominent insight into this shift when he claimed that there was ‘no incubation time for ideas’. This incubation time is what has made trends hard to predict and fashion so exciting because each designer would get lost in their vision, however now there isn’t enough time to immerse yourself in research and inspiration. The amount of collections expected from each label each year has left no room the essence of fashion (creativity, depth and passion). It has instead made room for efficiency, predictability and commerciality.
So in order for us to predict the trends we must look at what has sold well in recent seasons as well as the upcoming events of this year.
In October 2015, the Metropolitan Museum of Art announce via Vogue.com that the theme for the 2016 Costume Institute exhibition would be entitled “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology.” The exhibition will juxtapose the traditional disciplines of handmade couture garments with machine made designs using modern technologies like laser cutting, thermo shaping and circular knitting. Designers would have known of this theme will crafting their fall/winter collection so we are intrigued to see to what extent it will influence them. The Met Gala has become a highly publicized event over the years and the interpretations of the theme by attendees will garner much coverage and expose many to the concept of technology in fashion.
This month we will see the presentation of the Fall/Winter 2016 collections during, New York Fashion Week (NYFW), London Fashion Week (LFW), Milan Fashion Week (MFW) and Paris Fashion Week (PFW) consecutively. Here at Unmatched we are looking into our crystal ball to try to predict the upcoming trends that we’ll all be looking towards come this Fall/Winter and what will be the stand out moments of the season.
BY HALIMO GEESEY
Fall 2016 Fashion Month Forecast
Things to look forward to:
- Kanye West’s third collection for adidas ‘YZY SZN 3’ will debut on the same day as his album release, ‘WAVES’. Will simplicity and neutral tones continue to reign supreme?
- Alexander Wang’s new collection now he has a renewed focus since his departure from Balenciaga.
- How will Dior handle their first Ready-To-Wear collection without Raf Simons.