FORECASTTranslating today's influences into tomorrow's fashion
Themes
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
Looking into the crystal ball this season, it is shaping up to be an exciting autumn/winter for the fashion. The fabric sare readying for the brutal weather, they protect and still manage to be lightweight. Influenced by the Scots, psychedelia or high on active wear – there is a plethora of trends to choose from. The colours of the season are influenced by the evolving human psyche, moody and sombre one moment and gregarious and tangerine the next. They take into account the alienating modern world and cater to contradicting forces alternatively. Silhouettes for fall are in transition from shirtdresses to polo minis and blurring the line between the formal and the casual. Even as the silhouettes cross over, the themes of the season are steadfast and visible in trends emerging across the board. Metallics are all pervasive, in women’s wear, décor and are influencing trends for the coming season; the oriental influence a close second, and a collection of predictions for themes, fabric, colour and silhouette should keep you informed till the next season.
Colours
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
Our auditory sense picks up the lightest change in decibel. Our olfactory bulbs keep certain memories alive in the brain. Our visual sense is the only one we can’t turn off. So we are sensitive and desensitized to the nuance of the hue at the same time, because we see all the time but aren’t really looking. There is a concept in the literary theory of phenomena that ‘always already exists’; be it gender, language or anything else. Mankind cannot fathom a time before this and are impacted by the way this phenomena functions. Colour predates all of them. Even if you don’t react, it elicits a response. Red becomes saffron, green envy, grey ambivalence, all black white brown yellow on the outside but red on the inside. Following are the five colour palettes that are influencing the moods of the coming fashion season.
Fabrics
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
We use the term ‘fabric’ in such a versatile fashion in language. The ‘fabric of reality’, ‘woven into our consciousness’, even the weave has become a metaphor for reality and the many criss-crosses its nodal points. It is so because a piece of cloth predates civilized man and we can’t envision a reality without it.
This season’s fabrics have turned grittier in response to the turning weather of autumn/ winter ’16-’17. The scot highlands being a dreamy inspiration bringing in their culture and history of plaids and checks are an influence. One can also see an impact of modern life as ath-leisure takes over and performance fabrics get more prominent. Lustre is the biggest trend with shiny bright surfaces coming to the fore.
Silhouettes
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
The general shape of the coming season is relaxed with the smallest amount of restraint. 60s and 70s silhouettes which are short and crisp co-exist with 80s voluminous shapes. Coats get longer and minimal, pants get wider, dresses get shorter, necks are higher and layering seems to be charting a comeback.
Womenswear
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
With the American and Brittan sensibilities chalking out the biggest reigning trends for the coming season, it is the Italians and French that broaden our horizons to the various possibilities in shape, colour, fabric and style associated to that very same trend. 1970s, 1980s and androgyny were the dominant looks where velvet and fur remained the most popular fabric, and patchwork, quilting and fringing were the details that caught our eye. This was the direction for carrying androgyny looks on the runway. While ornamentation was kept on the down low- functionality and protection against the cold were top priority – the designers were feeling a little more frivolous. Patchwork has become the luxury market’s way of setting itself apart from other market segments with tricky piecing together of fabrics or working of print. In our report, you’ll discover which themes, silhouettes and details will rise to the top of retail in Fall 2016-17..
Home & Interior
Autumn/Winter 2016-17
Décor, the latest avenue for self-curation is getting as myriad and exotic as fashion itself. The Scandinavians bring to it their clean and minimal aesthetic. The walls are a neutral shade and just an extension of the nature around you and the furniture is sparsely placed. The aesthetic focuses on creating a cocoon, a natural resting space for the human. The Oriental is the exact opposite and is homage to the opulence. Legends of the Silk Route and mysteries of the Asian world combine to give cherry-blossom prettiness. Materials such as Copper and Marble are also major influences and lend themselves to fixtures and surfaces in the home and office.