In

TR

EN

D F

OR

EC

AS

TIN

G F

/W 2

01

3

Industry Theory Practice: Shannon Knutson

BACKCAST 2011

Spring 2011: (left to right) Marc by Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Chris

Benz

Spring/Summer 20111: (Below Left to Right) Vivienne Westwood,

Valentino, Tao

Spring 2011: Gucci

Glam Gold

Orange Juice

Powerful Purple

Emerald Green

Bold Black

Ghostly Gray

Bright White

Color and pattern dominated in 2011. Orange was

popping in everything from skirts to jackets. Patterns

such as polka-dots speckled the runways.

Feminine strength and beauty shown through

the loose, flowing fabrics, and the cinched, high

waist-line of pants and dresses. Even when a waist-

line was not evident, designers’ showed the feminine

form by hemming the dresses and skirts above the

knee or just below it.

For the working woman, pants and blazers

appeared to fight for female power. Long blazers with

strong shoulders and high waisted pants that taper

to show the form of the leg made these male classics

strictly feminine. Watch out boys. These women are

here to work.

The fearless color blocking of bold and bright

colors and the pops of gold demanded attention.

Everything about 2011 showed that women are not

staying home as housewives. Women are working

and working it.

BACKCAST 2012

Carl Kapp Spring/Summer 2012

Gucci Fall 2012

Dolce and Gabbana Spring 2012

2012 is all about length and flow. Shear and thin fabrics such as voiles, ultra-light gauzes, and lace are a

major component in the designs. Pattern is now secondary to color. Color seems secondary to texture.

The long dresses with flowing fabric emulate the curvatures of the female form.

Slits in the legs of dresses subtly expose the body. Skin-tight silhouettes, plunging necklines, bare

shoulders turn women into graceful goddesses moving through the world like a windstorm.

To contrast the flowing skirts of garments, the cinched waistline is still a prominent feature on the

runway.

Patterns are used sparingly and when used, they are very soft and feminine. The floral pattern is

most prominent and goes nicely with the pastel color palette of spring. Fall still shows solid colors are

more important than pattern, but designers trade the pastels of spring for more de saturated colors.

Black Out Plum-met Wild Fire Make Me Blush Orange Sherbert Swamp Goddess Morning Dew

WORLD WIDE WONDER

The World Wide Wonder trend is characterized by loose silhouettes

and thin fabrics juxtaposed with structured, geometric patterns. These

designs blend the growing interest in the environment with the notion

that people of all countries are in this together. The silhouettes are

feminine and reserved. The fabrics are environmentally friendly. Finally,

the patterns are culturally inspired.

TREND

WORLD WIDE WONDER

D R I V E R SFactors driving this trend are the internet, smart phones, Face-

book, Twitter, the resurgence of fairy tales, recycling campaigns,

fuel-efficient cars, and much more. The Summer 2012 Olympic

games will also increase the awareness of different cultures.

This involvement in different cultures will provide an es-

cape from the everyday. America has long been called the melt-

ing pot, but the same ingredients have been simmering for too

long. Many countries are experiencing financial difficulties in this

recession. Instead of withdrawing from the world, countries are

trying to reach out to help others. The United Nations aided in

the Libyan revolution, and countries poured out their resources

to aid the Japanese following the earthquake and tsunami.

Commercials such as Travelocity and Kayak.com pro-

mote escaping to a different place and the world wide wonder

trend provides another, cheaper escape.

MANIFESTATIONAs patterns go away in 2012 and the pastels

move to more muted solids in fall, colors are

sure to continue to go away. Shear fabrics and

simplified floral patterns are already appearing

in fashion. Geometric, Native American patterns

are appearing on the street. Soon, women will be

bored of floral patterns and American classics.

The long flowing dresses of now will remain, but

with greater emphasis on texture and earth tones.

Floral patterns already show Russian influence

and will likely move to the more geometric floral

patterns of Norway by Fall 2013.

WORLD WIDE WONDERS

COLOR STORY and FABRIC STORY

More natural colors and earth friendly fabrics will be a large part of

this trend. Fabrics such as organic cotton, modal blend jersey knit,

bamboo rayon, and stretch hemp rayon will be popular due to their

eco-edge, comfort and flexibility.

Autumn in Africa

Mud Slide in India

French Mustard Russian Wheat Field

Egyptian Desert Australian Sky

Greek Obsidian

Sunset in the Bahamas

STYLE STORY

Slim and fitted silhouettes up to the waist-line. The waist-line

marks the start of a flowing and feminine skirt. Delicate jewlery

and modest shoes finish off this style to keep the emphasis on the

culturally inspired patterns.

SU

PE

R S

PO

RT

TRENDSuper Sport is a trend characterized

by active wear that lets you sweat and

still look cute. Long loose dresses are a

must for this trend. Slits up to the thigh

make the dresses feminine and allow for

more movement. Fun, energetic colors

will inspire any wearer to get moving and

stay active.

SU

PE

R S

PO

RT

DR IVERSDriving this trend is the growing investment in health in the United

States. Examples are programs that promote Play 60 and healthy eat-

ing. Calorie counts in fast food restaurant and healthier menu items are

also factors driving this trend. Because of the growing interest in get-

ting and staying active, fashion has to provide a way for people to stay

active and look good doing it.

SUPER SPORT

MANIFESTATION

The Super Sport style is manifesting in the neon gowns

and shorts of spring. Sporty sleeveless crop tops are also

appearing more in street style. In the future, the dresses

will become shorter and the silhouettes will be more fitted.

Sporty shoes will become popular again. The influ-

ence of a good sporty shoe was apparent with last year’s

Skecher’s shape-ups or Reebok easy-tone shoes.

COLOR and FABRIC STORY

Loose sweat wicking materials

will be the staple for this trend.

Loose, yet fitted fabrics such as

jerseys will be important too.

Lime Light

Bluetooth

Ultraviolet Bright White

Night Clubbin’

Punch of Pink

Orange Attack Electric Eel

STYLE STORY

Bright athletic shoes and small black accessories finish off this

style. Jewelry is not suitable for the active lifestyles of the women

following this trend, but a watch is a necessity. Hair will be left

to its own devices. Let it flow freely or pull it back into a simple

braid, if one needs to add a bit of glamour to this athletic look.

SPACE ESCAPE

TREND

Odd compilations of textures and extremely built-up silhouettes

characterize this style. The colors are eerie and otherworldly. This

style is for the bold adventurer of the unknown and for those ready

to plunge into a chaotic and uncertain future.

DRIVERS

Driving the space escape trend is the chaos and uncertainty of the

economic and political future of the United States and many other

countries. There is so much tension over debt that people need to

escape. Where to go though when so much of the world is plagued

by similar problems? Out of this world.

Many filmmakers are looking to outer space for film inspira-

tion. This year Battleship is out, but many other alien invasion movies

will storm the theatres in 2013. So far a Star Trek sequel, After Earth,

All You Need is Kill, and are a few alien-based movies rumored to be

released in 2013.

The bizarre styles of the capitol members from The Hunger

Games series (example at the left) are sure to facilitate the accep-

tance of this style. Pop stars such as Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj also

embrace shocking ethereal styles to entertain.

MANIFESTATION

As designers grow bored with the simple flowing silhouettes of

2012, they are beginning to play with bulging the fabric up on

the model to create an interesting pattern and texture.

Graduating students from design schools are exploring

crazy patterns and unconventional fabric combinations that

build off the body in interesting ways.

On the runway, pale odd creatures seem to strut down

the runway in dark and powerful designs.

COLOR and FABRIC STORY

Dark colors and odd juxtapositions of fabric make up

this style. Fabrics such as tulle and neoprene may

be put together or a jersey knit and canvas. It is all

about contrast. Within the dark and eerie palette will

be bright digitally inspired colors.

Black Hole The Dark side of Blue Alien Flesh Hot Spot

Dust in the Nebula

MoonstoneBig Bang Rocket Fuel

Meteor Shower Space Station

Flying Saucer

Planetarium Purple

STYLE STORY

Bold shoes, intricate hairstyles,

and heavy make-up finish off this

style. The silhouettes are struc-

tural and abstract the female form.

Everything about this style speaks

of another world that has yet to be

fully explored.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• http://backgrounds.picaboo.com/download/ed/de/edee4e48c30a4598998c1ddbeb518d2e/deep_blue_dots.jpg

• http://blogs.csm.arts.ac.uk/snapshot/2012/02/20/csm-ma-fashion-at-london-fashion-week/

• http://petite.about.com/od/2012SpringSummerFashionTrends/ss/2012-Spring-Fashion-Trends_4.htm

• http://images.wikia.com/thehungergames/images/9/90/Capitol_freak.jpg

• http://www.fabsugar.com/Target-Spring-Fashion-Collection-2012-21376681

• http://patternscolorsdesign.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/springsummer-2012-apparel-fabric-trends-by-interstoff-asia-

essential/

• http://sydneyfashionblogger.blogspot.com/2011/06/fall-2012.html

• http://www.fabsugar.com.au/Pictures-Runway-Review-Carl-Kapp-Spring-Summer-2012-2013-Mercedes-Benz-Fash-

ion-Week-Australia-Catwalk-Show-22946588

• http://cathymalvar.blogspot.com/2011/04/veintinueve-color-blocking-in-fashion.html

• http://www.refinery29.com/10-spring-2011-trends-we-love---spring-fashion-week-trends

• http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2010/09/spring-2011s-most-wearable-fashion-trends#slide=17

• http://www.harpersbazaar.com

• http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2010/09/spring-2011s-most-wearable-fashion-trends#slide=17