TRENDS // TEXTILE REPORT NO. 2/2014 - SUMMER 2015

Here is the latest Textile Report No. 2/2014 for Summer 2015.  This publication has an extensive trend information for the textile and fashion market.  The trend focus are on women's wear, street fashion, designer collections, trade fair reports, colour and styling trends which includes fabrics and print designs. 

To order your copy, go here.

DESIGN COMPETITION // FRONT ROW SOCIETY - ARTISANAL BOTANIST

Editorial via Front Row Society

CREATIVE BRIEF

Submission Deadline: 15 February, 2014, 6pm CET
Voting Starts: 16 February, 2014, 6pm CET

Botany… the world of plants. Another florals challenge? Think again! Our challenge might be botany themed but please steer away from kitsch florals or cutesy rose patterns. For this design challenge, we are looking for the darker side of botany, the side that scratches and stings. Take a look at vintage textiles and botanical illustration, with their detailed pencil drawings and fine line patterns. 

Think about the botanists of the past, bravely setting off into the unknown with their jars and notebooks, crawling through jungles, crossing oceans and navigating deserts to discover and classify the flowers, trees and herbs that have helped shape history. For this challenge we want you to be that adventurer! 

As always, don't forget that your print might need to be adjusted to fit the appropriate template. All templates are marked with design specifications to help you get your design just right. Please note that all FRS templates may differ slightly from final manufacturing specifications, so make sure your print is versatile and flexible enough for production.

What can you win?

Each winner receives a one-off immediate prize of 200€. plus one of their products when it arrives in stock. But that is not all - each & every time we sell 500 pieces of your design, you will receive an additional €200. This means that FRS can continue to embody the spirit of fashion democracy, rewarding our top designs again...and again...and again! We will also conduct an interview with the winner, publicizing their design across the fashion community in Berlin and worldwide.

To learn more about the competition or submit your designs, go here.

TRENDS // WOOLMARK BRAND - SPRING/SUMMER 2015

The Woolmark brand is the world’s best-known textile fibre brand and is owned by The Woolmark Company, the world’s leading wool textile organization. The value of the brand is well established and highly regarded across the world in the apparel, interior textiles and home laundry sectors. To learn more about the company and brand, go here. 

The Wool Lab, a seasonal guide to the most inspiring wool trends and best products, is created to inspire and inform fashion professionals regarding the infinite potential of Merino wool. A trendbook and a sourcing guide, the tool is the result of extensive research undertaken by The Woolmark Company through its global network to select the best wool products worldwide and identify the emerging trends emerging from fashion, design, art, pop culture, music and other fields.

The Wool Lab is created each season in collaboration with the world’s most innovative and quality-oriented spinners and weavers. It is a collection of the most beautiful wool products, commercially available, and in line with the leading fashion and textile trends.

The tool is available free of charge and upon request for designers, manufacturers, retailers, fashion and apparel brands and to all the professionals of the fashion industry, to provide a concrete sourcing service, putting them in contact with the world’s best wool suppliers.

Below is a preview of some of their Spring/Summer 2015 guide, Balera and Elements. You can view the entire seven inspirational themes here for both Men's and Women's. 

BALERA

Inspirations

During the post-war period in Italy the balera, or dance hall, started to diffuse throughout Italy. Typical and popular dance halls, these places gathered people who wanted to rediscover life's simple pleasures and joy of living through dance after war's deprivations. The theme recalls that joy can be combined with the will of beauty and elegance in a simple and accessible way. Classic colours and fancy stripes for the men; floral prints on the ultra-feminine women dresses.

Materials

Wool combined with cotton, nylon and viscose with washed finishing. Fancy patterns and structures such as stripes, vichy, seersucker, chambray and micro check. Yarns are mouliné, mélange and crepe.

ELEMENTS

Inspirations

The theme embodies the perfect combination between fashion and architecture, where cuts and shapes of dresses are inspired by the same geometrical lines of buildings. Elements illustrates a search for cleaning and linearity, typical of Japanese minimalism, with colours inspired by building materials such as chalk and cement. Touches of green and blue complete this lucid vision as a building standing out against the sky, but with its feet concretely anchored to the ground. Focus on fabric structures that are never dull.

Materials

100 per cent wool or wool mixed with cotton, silk, linen or viscose. Structures and patterns reflect the mood of the theme: gauze, ottoman, honeycomb, ajouré, graphic jacquard. Wool Jersey is here very important, also patterned.

DESIGN COMPETITION // FRANKFURT STYLE AWARD 2014

 FRANKFURT STYLE AWARD 2014  DESIGN COMPETITION  

This year’s invitation extends the reach of the Frankfurt STYLE AWARD in the fashion & design community throughout Europe and worldwide. Students from nearly 400 fashion schools in 34 countries are invited to put their creativity and passion for fashion in the international spotlight.

UNITED DIVERSITY

We are all different yet united by our existence as human beings. We share one world. We look different, dress differently and speak different languages – but, ultimately, we are all reaching for the same stars.

The Frankfurt STYLE AWARD 2014 invites talented, up-and-coming fashion designers to submit their creations in one of three categories taking this year’s guiding theme UNITED DIVERSITY as their inspiration:

UNIFORM

While uniforms disguise differences they are also a visual symbol that identifies the wearer as a member of or having a role in a group. Successful uniforms are recognised across international borders. Reinterpret the concept of the uniform – modern, borderless or global, critical or provocative: the choice is yours! Everything is possible!

UNISEX

Open-minded, independent & unbound – nowhere are the currents of the 21st-century more clearly reflected than in the unisex category. Rigid division of roles according to gender is history. How can clothing meet the needs of both men and women while respecting the differences between them?

UNICULT

Diverse in its eccentric non-conformism, united in the adoration of essential beauty. Uniqueness should not only be expressed through being different – it should stand out by being embedded in a unifying context.

New in 2014: Freestyle first, then Compulseries – PIONEERING DENIM

Another special challenge awaits all the applicants who are nominated for the final by the jury and are invited to the Style Award Gala in Frankfurt am Main. The topic – “Pioneering Denim” – is compulsory. Fabric coupons will be provided to enable the competitors to realise their designs. It is an invitation to combine creativity and craftsmanship seamlessly within a clearly defined framework. These models will be awarded separately by the jury. The nominees will receive details of their compulsory exercise in good time.

AWARDS AND AWARDS CEREMONY:

20 participants can qualify for the final in each category. All the nominees will receive an invitation to the Style Award Gala, attendance of the final event in person is preferred. Accommodation for the finalists will be covered by the organizer. The participants can request apply for travel cost. All finalists will be informed about the details of the schedule after the preliminary round has been completed in March 2014. The prizes awarded to the three winners are as follows: 

1st place: € 1,500

2nd place: € 1,000,

3rd place: € 500. 

As well as the presentation of the award voted for by the general public, the Pioneering Denim and United Diversity awards, there are other attractive non-cash prizes and apprenticeships to be won. Here you can find further information about the prizes.

FINAL SUBMISSION: February 28, 2014

To learn more and apply for the competition, go here. 

DESIGN COMPETITION // LVMH PRIZE - YOUNG FASHION DESIGNER 2014

LVMH PRIZE:SUPPORTING YOUNG FASHION DESIGNER

Launched in November 2013, the LVMH Prize has been created to reveal and support young fashion designers.
Each year, the LVMH Prize will recognize a young designer and three graduates of fashion schools.

The Young Fashion Designers competition is open to designers from every country who have produced at least two collections and who are under 40. To help them develop their creative work, LVMH will give winners:

• A grant of 300,000 euros
• Personalized technical and financial support from the Group for a 12-month period following the LVMH Prize award. This support covers all the areas of expertise that are critical to a young fashion brand (intellectual property, sourcing, production and distribution, image and advertising, marketing, etc.).  

The “Graduates” prize is open to students of fashion schools who are completing a degree course at a fashion school during the LVMH Prize year. The three winners will receive a 10,000 euro grant and an opportunity to work as part of the design team at an LVMH brand for one year.

Final Submissions:  February 2, 2014

Go here to learn about the competition.

TRENDS / EVENT // PREMIER VISION - SPRING/SUMMER 2015 DENIM

PREMIERE VISION, the world's premier fabric show will be held on February 18-20, in Parc d'Expositions Paris Nord Villepinte for the Spring/Summer 2015 season. To register online, go to PV's - Registration.   Their Fashion Information is a lively multimedia web platform on their site and gets a makeover.  The updated platform will regularly be updated with news, a look at key concepts, expert analysis and discussions, artistic inspiration, colour harmonies and graphic directions along with the teaser film of the season.  Go here to view their fashion news today.

Below are a few images of their Spring/Summer 15 Denim key trends, go here to view the entirety of the denim report. You can discover the full Fashion Report from the Denim by Première Vision show in Paris.

DESIGN COMPETITION // INTERNATIONAL TALENT SUPPORT - FASHION/ACCESSORIES/JEWELRY/ARTWORK

International Talent Support is a platform for creative minds, now in its thirteenth edition. It was created to offer visibility, support and a voice to young talents from every corner of the earth, and continues to do so. It gives young designers the chance to set their creativity free through financial opportunities, work placements and the chance to have their work shown to a jury made up of real experts.

ITS provides real opportunities and represents a bridge between young designers and the fashion industry. All of the work placements, internships and special projects granted to the finalists after the event prove it. In our Past Finalists Today section you can appreciate where our finalists work now and who is receiving recognition for their own brand. Furthermore, we collaborate regularly for work placements with several brands like Diesel, Antonio Marras, MaxMara, Armani and Viktor & Rolf, to mention but a few. Major industry players also offer their support.

TIMELINE

• Deadline to Enroll - March 24, 2014 
• Pre-selection of Finalists - End of April 2014
• Finals in Trieste, Italy -  July 11-12, 2014

ITS consists of 4 competition fields and offers many prizes you can view here:

ITS FASHION

The established fashion competition for final year students of fashion design schools and young designers has reached its thirteenth edition. The bridge between schools and the fashion industry year after year, giving students and designers exposure, internships and work opportunities.

ITS started out as a fashion competition and fashion is and always will be a big part of our DNA. Fashion is also at the core of the development of the other contest areas. It would have been much more difficult to arrive this far without the support of a major brand like DIESEL that joined us since the very beginning providing tangible support especially through the assignment of the Diesel Award, a life-changing experience for one of the fashion competition finalists.

Go here to learn more about the Fashion Competition and to submit  your designs.

ITS ACCESSORIES

The only competition in the world which embraces each and every field of accessories design (from footwear to hardwear, softwear and bodywear) is back for its ninth year.

ITS ACCESSORIES is organised in partnership with YKK, an international group of companies with a leading position in the fastenings industry that strongly believes in supporting creativity. The accessories competition allows YKK to explore the many out-of-the-ordinary creations that can be produced with innovative uses of their fastenings.

Go here to learn more about the Accessories Competition and to submit  your designs.

ITS JEWELRY

An international contest started in 2011 and now in its fourth edition, exclusively dedicated to contemporary jewelry in all of its diverse forms, from rings to necklaces, earrings and more, intended for all jewelry students and young jewelry designers in the world.

SWAROVSKI is the premium brand for the finest crystals manufactured by Swarovski and is the main partner of ITS JEWELRY, providing all jewelry finalists with Swarovski crystals for their collections

Go here to learn more about the Jewelry Competition and to submit your designs.

ITS ARTWORK

This new competition field is based on the development of concepts. The project is dedicated to designers of ITS FASHION, ITS ACCESSORIES and ITS JEWELRY.

SWATCH has been defined many times as “the biggest art gallery in the world” and is the main partner of ITS ARTWORK. To ITS ARTWORK 2014 finalists, Swatch would like to offer the opportunity to depict and represent their own point of view on the Brand.

Go here to learn more about the Artwork Competition and to submit your designs. 

[ INSPIRATION + ILLUSTRATION ] series by MELANIE BOYCHUK

Here is the latest Inspiration + Illustration series by Melanie Boychuk, illustrator contributor for FV. Here, she shows you her source of inspirations to create her illustration from St. Laurent Fall 2013 campaign.  

You can also check out her website, missmel.com to view more of her work and to contact her if you need an illustrator for any projects.  To also view her past illustration posts on FV, go here.

©MELANIE BOYCHUK illustration and Fashion Vignette layout. All rights reserved. No part of these images may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, or otherwise, without prior written permission.

TRENDS // FASHION SNOOP'S - SPRING/SUMMER 2015 . WOMEN'S AND YOUNG CONTEMPORARY

Here is a preview of FASHION SNOOPS',  Spring/Summer 2015 Women's and Young Contemporary trends.  Fashion Snoop is an online forecasting trend service that reports on color, design themes, key items, details, etc., for women's, men's, kid's and accessories.  To learn more and subscribe to their services, go here to view their amazing site and check out their inspiring blog. You can also purchase a full report of each of the key trends, here for the Women's Market and here for the Young Contemporary Market. 

WOMEN'S MARKET

Here we highlight 13 most influential S/S 15 themes in Womenswear. Art is one of the freshest influences this season with Avant Pop, echoing our Visionary forecast. Sports Illustrated confirms that athletic influence shows no sign of slowing with Sportsphere. Minimal designs push forward with two theme options - Formula Solution and Soft Minimalist. The Power 80s is the new decade of reference, while Paradise Strip puts the glamour back into retro, also confirming our Visionary report.

    AVANT POP    

Reflecting Fashion Snoops' Visionary theme of the same name, Avant Pop becomes one of the most influential seasonal references, lead by designers like Chanel, Prada, Celine and Preen. Bright colors are essential, while prints and patterns take center stage. Pop art faces and surrealist imagery are most forward, while print mixes and pop blocking offer commercial appeal. Asymmetrical silhouettes and wrapped techniques add an edge, and 3D or jewel encrusted embellishments add to the lively and excessive theme.

    FORMULA  SOLUTION   

Formula = Solution confirms Fashion Snoops' Visionary forecast of the same name, and progresses our Cubist theme from last season. Leaders of the look include Fendi, Helmut Lang and Yigal Azrouel. A monochromatic palette is essential for plays on patterns like fractured or retro geometrics, while color is added in perspective and patchwork geometric motifs. Transparency is achieved with organza layers, while 3D textures and laser cut materials offer a novelty approach. Asymmetrical silhouettes and wrapped techniques are leading silhouette directions and cutouts are a highlighted detail.


    LA VIE EN ROSE   

La Vie en Rose is the prettiest and most feminine message of the season. Matthew Williamson, Giambattista Valli and Mary Katrantzou all get in on the action, set to a powdery pastel color palette. A flowing assortment of fabrics include chiffon, organza and lace which turn up on fuller silhouettes and below-the-knee hemlines. Florals are a major take-away, from cherry blossoms to botanical screens and romantic blooms. Flowers also make an appearance on influential 3D appliques, in addition to popular ruffle details.

YOUNG CONTEMPORARY MARKET

Here we highlight 11 of the most influential S/S 15 themes in Young Contemporary, complete with in-depth extensions into color palettes, key runway looks, materials, patterns and design details. Sports Illustrated tops out as one of the most important expressions, confirming athletic reference. 90s Streetwear enters as the new favored decade, nodding to hip hop reference. Tropical motifs appear in kitsch and surf looks, while ethnic Tribal and bohemian Free Spirited themes round out the leading influences.

    PHYS ED   

One of the most popular and commercial themes to progress forward is athletic reference in sportswear. A diverse lineup of designers that feature the Phys Ed theme includes DKNY, Sacai, Tommy Hilfiger and Gucci. Active bright hues appear, set to an advanced material offering of nylon, neoprene, mesh and perforated materials. Track pants and shorts are key items, and bra tops are often layered under bomber jackets. Color blocking moves forward, while other pattern favorites include stripe remix and varsity numbers. Striped trim is a favorite and zippers are leveraged both for function and design.

    TROPICAL KITSCH  

Milan designers from Etro to Aquiliano. Rimondi and MSGM take on the tropics with a burst of bold colors and prints. Highlighted patterns center around florals via palms, dark paradise and tropical explosion motifs. Materials dress up the look from silk satin to printed chiffon, while key items like matched sets also celebrate prints. Details include halter necks and slits in terms of silhouette, with more elaborate expressions featuring beading or 3D embellishment.