8.29.2014

TRENDS // TRENDSTOP - S/S 2016 . NEUTRALS

A great resource for fashion and creative professionals is Trendstop.com is one of the world's leading trend forecasting agency based in London.  They have an extensive data for forecasts and trends in all areas of clothing, accessories and beauty for Men's and Women's To view Trendstop's site, check out the full details here.

Here are their early trend color indicator for the Spring/Summer 2016 palette.  To purchase a copy of their report, go here

     QUARTZ GRAY   

Image courtesy Trendstop: Fendi, Alexander Wang, Christian Dior, all Spring/Summer 2014, WHIT, Ditte Isager. 

A soft, barely-there shade of Quartz Gray has been highlighted as a key neutral for the new Spring/Summer season. Simple dresses look romantic with sheer fabrics at Fendi, while Alexander Wang's patent chunky sole shoes make a modern statement. Elsewhere, Christian Dior demonstrates a fresh update on a vintage look with satiny pleats on a midi skirt.


Image courtesy Trendstop: Roberto Cavalli, Parkchoonmoo, both Spring/Summer 2014, Anna Murray and Grace Winteringham from Patternity, Thakoon. 

This color is ideal for Junior and Contemporary Market collections, lending a clean, chic dimension to apparel and accessories alike. Roberto Cavalli opts for ethnic elegance with a tasseled and beaded dress, as Parkchoonmoo mixes matte and shine on a pair of peep-toe booties. Thakoon's fluid tailored pants appeal with a luxe tactility.

     OYSTER PINK   


Image courtesy Trendstop: Mulberry, Christopher Kane, Karen Walker, all Spring/Summer 2014, Kim Kyung Soo at Galerie Paris.

This creamy nude pink resonates with a hint of 40's-style glamour, lending a feminine finish to products. Mulberry's tonal striped ensemble feels elegantly summery, while Christopher Kane adds interest to a simple, demure two-piece with foil trim cut-outs. Karen Walker's ladylike leather bag feels expressly chic.


Image courtesy Trendstop: Christopher Kane, Miu Miu, Organic by John Patrick, all Spring/Summer 2014, Building Block Bags, Taisuke Koyama. 

Suitable for all Market levels, Oyster Pink is a versatile neutral that can be applied to a range of fabrications. Christopher Kane experiments with pairings of jersey and silk, as loose-fit linens feel effortless at Organic by John Patrick. Over at Miu Miu, supple leathers are shaped into striking knee-high lace-up boots.

8.28.2014

TRENDS // PATTERN PEOPLE - COLOR + PATTERN

Pattern People is a surface design studio founded by designers Claudia Brown and Jessie Whipple Vickery. Their studio provides a collection of thousands of ready-made print designs available for immediate use on apparel, paper products, beauty packaging, accessories, interiors and more.  They are also available for commissioned design and can develop to your project's specifications. Visit their site here, to browse their inspiration blog and shop tutorials, trend guides and designer tools. 

For Winter 2015, you can download their trend guide here to help you with your design process. This report features 8 key print trends, color trends with TCX Pantone reference and over 250 inspirational images.

Below are reposts from their blog - inspirational COLOR/PATTERN mood boards.







8.27.2014

TRENDS // TREND BOOK - BAGS + SHOES . F/W 2015-16

Trend Book is a comprehensive trend book for the latest details and new inspiration for women's bags and shoes.  Here are previews of their latest trend information which contains the seasonal concepts with inspirational images, color cards, color combinations, fashion photos and model sketches as well as many exclusive proposals for women's bags and shoes.  

For trend bags, you can order here and for trend shoes, you can order here.







8.26.2014

[ INSPIRATION + ILLUSTRATION ] series by MELANIE BOYCHUK




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 from the illustrator.

8.25.2014

[ TREND + PRINT REPORT ] AARYN WEST STUDIO

Today's post [ TREND + PRINT REPORT ], is from FV print and fashion contributor AARYN WEST of Aaryn West Studio based in Los Angeles, California. It's so great to see her back on her blog with her print and pattern trend reports.  Below are her most recent print trend call outs from the Resort '15 collections.  

Aaryn West Studio is a design studio specializing in bespoke prints and patterns for application on nearly any surface in the fashion, interior, and gift design industries.  Go here, to check out her website


    PAINT SPECKLE   


Pull out those paint brushes and prepare to get messy for the next trend featured in our review of Resort 2015 prints. Distressed textures are all the rave, and these ones are of the colorful variety. If this concept is too abstract for your normal customer, use it more sparingly as a texture in a stripe or geometric design.
Nonoo, Vionnet, Roksanda Ilincic all via Style.com
Background print © Aaryn West
    BLOCK PARTY    

We are such big fans of this bold, colorful trend that has been going strong for well over a year. Traditionally, color blocking originates more from the side of fashion design and sewing construction rather than textiles, but there’s no reason you can’t incorporate this look into your print designs. It’s even a little like the collage / Matisse trend that’s been growing in popularity, although more simplified and dramatically enlarged. Be sure to check out the Resort collections from Missoni, Roland Mouret, and Prabal Gurung for additional examples on how to apply this look to your own designs.
Novis, Jonathan Simkhai, Roksanda Ilincic all via Style.com
Background print © Aaryn West
    BOLD BLOOMS    

When designing florals for your next Resort collection, consider the bold bloom as a good place to start. These high contrast, stylized florals keep things simple by using a larger scale and few repeating elements.
Rebecca Taylor, ChloĆ©, Antonio Marras all via Style.com
Background print © Aaryn West
    BRUSH STROKE    

Moving right along in our series of posts highlighting the most important Resort 2015 runway trends, we have abstract, painterly brush stroke prints. Keeping the color palette minimal or subdued will give designs a more sophisticated feel to an otherwise youthful and chaotic trend.
Piazza Sempione, Barbara Bui, Prabal Gurung all via Style.com
Background print © Aaryn West
    BUTTERFLY EFFECT    

 As both animal skins and novelty prints have been growing in popularity over the last few seasons, it makes perfect sense that butterflies would reemerge as a Resort print trend. Whether presented as small and cute, or enlarged and abstracted, the intricate and colorful patterns found inside of their wings can be stylized to work within a wide range of markets.

Valentino, Matthew Williamson, Temperley London all via Style.com
Background print © Aaryn West

8.21.2014

DESIGN COMPETITION // TALENTHOUSE - DESIGN A SHOW-STOPPING SHAWL FOR STEVIE NICKS



THE BRIEF
Legendary American singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks invites fashion designers and stylists across the world to design a show-stopping shawl inspired by her mystical visual style and symbolic lyrics.

Designers can submit a ready-made shawl design or a sketch. Both should include a written description about why they think this shawl would be appealing to Stevie Nicks. The selected artist will receive $2,000 of which they will be required to produce their final piece. 

A professional photograph of Stevie Nicks wearing the shawl will be taken for the selected artist to include in their portfolio. The photograph and winner will receive an official feature on stevienicksofficial.com and across her social channels, potentially being seen by millions globally.
THE 
CAREER OPPORTUNITY
One designer as selected by Stevie Nicks will receive:
  • $2,000, part of which must be used to produce the shawl
  • Their shawl sent to Stevie Nicks to wear for a professional portfolio shot (the shawl will be returned)
  • The digital photo, plus a credit across the official channels of Stevie Nicks and Warner Bros. Records
  • Submit By: September 22, 2014 at 10:00 AM

To learn more and to submit your entry, go here.

8.20.2014

TRENDS // PRINTS & MORE - FALL/WINTER 2015-16

Prints & More is a color and trend forecast which encompasses four seasonal trend themes.  Each trend theme is provided with color and mood boards with at least 100 pattern designs.  This trend forecast is ideal for anyone who works with high-fashion printed patterns which can be used for garment production, accessories, home textiles and much more.

For their Fall/Winter 2015-16 trend forecast, go here to order your copy. 

8.19.2014

DESIGN COMPETITION // BRITISH FASHION COUNCIL + VOGUE/DESIGNER FASHION FUND





The Fund was launched by BFC Chairman Harold Tillman in September 2008 as a legacy project for the BFC’s 25th anniversary celebrations. Those supporting The Fund are Burberry, Debenhams, Harrods, LF Europe, Marks & Spencers, Paul Smith, Topshop, Clothing at Tesco and Vogue.

The Fund provides one British based designer with £200,000 and access to high level mentoring support - additional awards of mentoring and business support may be allocated to finalists at the judging panel’s discretion.

The aim of The Fund is to assist talented British designers with the potential for commercial growth to start making the transition from a developing creative business to a global fashion brand.

In order to be eligible for this scheme, designers must have an established business based within the UK. They must have UK and international stockists and support from key media. The winner must demonstrate a clear vision for their business and how The Fund will contribute to their growth with a focus on creating a global brand.

Please ensure you complete the following four application steps:
  1. Designers will need to fill out the online application form [^]
  2. Send a copy of your business plan (including your end of year accounts).
  3. Tell us how The Fund will help.
  4. Send a copy of your portfolio. 
Deadline: The deadline is Friday 17th October 2014.

To learn more about the competition, go here

8.15.2014

TRENDS // MARE DI MODA - SWIMSWEAR S/S 2016

Mare di Moda, is the leading European exhibition for beach, swimwear and lingerie fabrics and accessories.  Their Spring/Summer 2016 trends is divided into six different themes,  Africa-inspired frenzy, clashing designs, sculptural, geometric, sporty leisure swimwear, romantic, bohemian looks and red-carpet elegance with new colors and textures for swimwear and body wear.

To learn more, go here and their next exhibition is scheduled for Nov 11-13, 2014 at the Palais Des Festivals in Cannes.

   JUNGLE FEVER   

Jungle Fever swimwear is a celebration of Africa with all its diversity, extremes and contradictions. It is about mixing things that have never been mixed before - organic, man-made, natural and digital. North African kaftans, djellabas, tunics and ponchos inspire cover-ups for men and women.

Lacy fabrics with technical finishes together with traditional tribal patterns; dry cotton with wild jungle prints alongside skin hide effects; and techno laser cut openwork polyester with fake leather.

Colours depict the sensory rush of a tropical rain forest, vegetation shades with flashes of acid depicting flowers or tropical birds. The digitally pushed acid extremes are countered by khaki and deep Burgundy.


   RAVE COUTURE   

Rave Couture swimwear is a celebration of op art, where optical illusions trick the eye and engender movement, warping and depth. Often in black and white, these optical designs immediately bring sophisticated glamour and opulence to simply designed outfits. Tight corsets and body shaping techniques celebrate hourglass feminine figures, while high-waist briefs expose bare upper midriffs.

Refined elegance requires silky satin and subtle sparkle; these fabrics work as chic grounds for expressive graphic patterns, based on embroidery, sequins or beads in muted metallic shades, or printed on digitally.

Optical illusions take centre stage; geometric patterns explore the celebration of op art and produce disorienting effects. Grounds of muted metallic shades exalt the modern, acid brights and flashes of silver are used for the optical designs.


    MEMPHIS SPORT   

This swimwear celebrates the humour and kitsch of the 1980s. This is overtly, even exaggeratedly sporty and performance oriented swimwear, so racy shapes, streamlining trims and bold colour blocking is used alongside ergonomic designs.

Sporty, go-faster swimwear fabrics are now used in neoprene and compact constructions. Performance enhancing effects, including racy colours, combine with compression panels, tech finishes and plastic sheen.

Mosaics sit alongside tangrams and colourful geometric shapes and designs, as a moratorium on floral patterning is declared. Playful, energetic and optimistic shades characterize the theme, slightly retro-kitsch sport staples contrast with each other and with black and white detailing. 


   BRUTAL GLAM   

A world of dark, fierce and severe cosmic goddesses, who stand proud and protected in their techno armour is depicted in this swimwear. Brutalist compositions inspire basic, rational shapes that translate into paired-down futuristic outfits in black monochrome or dark, nocturnal shades.

Leather and latex; rubber and studs, zips, nails, rings, beads and iron create armoured looks inspired by animal (elephant) and reptile skins or by beaten metal or chainmail. Skin relief patterns are counter-posed by inter galactic star sprays and digitally generated 3D mapping program me designs.

Cold, cosmic colours include black and intense saturated darks together with greenish black with an oily sheen form the backdrop to pearlescent silvers and lilacs. Swimwear is forged from strong, bold shapes with contouring, sharp lines


   ARTIST'S GARDEN   

This bodywear is a celebration of romanticism and aesthetic pleasure. Languid silhouettes are produced from flowing fabrics and floating, loosely cut pyjamas and trousers. Flowers and botanical drawings of meandering flower stems and lush vegetation cover whole garments or are scattered tastefully.

Fabrics with a luxurious hand such as silk satins are used as the base for elegant, floral prints and jacquard designs. Modern finishing techniques produce fabrics with enamel-like or porcelain aspects.

Tones reminiscent of fabrics dyed with natural dyestuffs, earthy shades of terra-cotta  beeswax, shell and fern are used with radically new digital printing techniques.



   SENSORY   

This bodywear represents a healthy and strong vision of feminine beauty. Lingerie garments are reminiscent of the clean, flowing sculptural lines of modernist architecture: forms are simple and minimalist, strict and pure, but sensual in their gentle contouring curves and white flawlessness.

Emo-fabrics employ perfume and sensory stimuli to calm the mood. Lightweight textiles with smooth surfaces have a cosmetic soapy, creamy or foamy hand to create a subtle, pleasurable sensation in wear. 


8.14.2014

FASHION ILLUSTRATION // SANDRA SUY

FASHION ILLUSTRATOR >> Sandra Suy

Born and currently living in Barcelona, Sandra Suy has many talents having designed graphics,  prints and her amazing fashion illustrations.  She's has a great list of clients who she has worked with, to name a few, Diesel, Elle, Zara, Chloe and many more. To view her amazing portfolio of fashion illustrations, go here.




8.13.2014

TRENDS // FASHION BOX - WOMEN'S KNITWEAR . F/W 2015-16

Fashion Box Women's Knitwear is a trend publication which includes colors, patterns, motifs for knitwear.  Embroidery and prints are readily available as well as hundreds of fashion illustrations coordinated with accessories.  Go here to learn more about their Women's F/W 2015-16 trend publication.


8.11.2014

TRENDS // ISPO TEXTRENDS - F/W 2016/17

ISPO Textrends is ISPO’s new platform for designers, product managers, and the media to discover the latest fabrics, fibers, trims, and accessories for sports, and outdoor apparel. Their exhibitions are held in Munich and Beijing.  Their next show is being held this week in Beijing from Jan 28-31, 2015, go here to learn more.  


ISPO teamed up with internationally renowned trend experts to identify the textile trends and colors for Fall/Winter 2016/17 to show what designers and product managers are looking for to develop their upcoming collections. Below is a preview of their report.  To view the full report, you can visit their site here.

   5 TEXTILES TRENDS FOR FALL/WINTER 2016/17  


TEXTILE TREND 1 – ACTIVATION


The connection between the body and fabric combined with the motion and friction of the sports activity acts as a three-way catalyst. ACTIVATION ignites the latest functional factors that enhance performance and wellbeing.


TEXTILE TREND 2 – DUALITY

The deep-rooted desire of natural content and touch continues as nature’s ingenious appearance and performance pushes to a higher level of interpretation. It isn’t just the proposed inspiration that fuels this trend; the growing understanding of more responsible production is key as eco friendly processes combine with sustainable production.


TEXTILE TREND 3 – HARDCORE

Achieving a goal and gaining that exhilarating adrenalin rush inspires HARD CORE. This trend takes on a tough appearance and content through innovative fiber and fabric compositions. The need for personal protection in the activewear sector is increasing combined with the softer touch these durable and protective fabrics deliver.


TEXTILE TREND 4 – DEXTERITY

The connection with optically stimulating the consumer through color and prints is crucial in moving the market forward. It’s time to be creative and trigger the senses without neglecting the desired performance and protection of the fibers, fabrics and finishes. Work it subtly or push it to the extreme and energize bestselling ranges.


TEXTILE TREND 5 – CIRCUIT

As smart technology continues its inescapable connectedness within consumers’ lives, it is time to take a look at the hyper-connectivity mood. It’s not just smart phones and tablets that dominate, but the connection and benefits that next generation fabrics can bring.

8.07.2014

TRENDS // COLORWORLD (CSI + DYSTAR) - FALL/WINTER 2015-16 COLOR INSPIRATIONS - REDEFINED + TEMPTATIONS

COLOR SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL is a color resource provider in partnership with DYSTAR, a textile coloration specialist provide consultancy in all areas of coloration and finishing technology. Here is a collaboration of their recent color trend boards,  REDEFINED and TEMPTATIONS, for the Fall/Winter 2015-16 for the season. To view the Redfined color inspirations, go here and for Temptations, go here.  To learn more about these two expertise's, go here.  

      REDEFINED     

Knowing our roots keeps us connected with our ancestral heritage, but the busy city life will challenge us sometimes, making us lose our sense of uniqueness and individuality. In search to redefine these values, artists and designers are reaching to different cultures looking for inspiration. We see happy jungle motives used in modern urban art, the beauty of traditional African prints mixed with colorful graffiti, all creating one interesting upbeat new style. Photoreal images of modern cityscapes, flowing into pictures of African animals, cubist designs, accessorized with tribal elements, create one jubilant kaleidoscope of color.  Vibrant fragments, which at the end of the day, come together in perfectfusion.



      TEMPTATIONS     

At dusk the silhouettes are softened and deepened into the sun’s declining light. The shadows grow immensely purple, composing a dreamy, relaxing atmosphere with a subtle hint of melancholic vibe. The quietude of night, conceives a perfect equilibrium, conveying beautiful temptations. The colors are changing their appearance, becoming more silky and exquisite. Everything is arranged with elegant simplicity, designed with pure delight and silent passion.



8.06.2014

TRENDS // MUNICH FABRIC START - A/W 2015-16

The Munich Fabric Start is an international fabric trade fair that holds two fair trades a year features a wide range of textiles, accessories and trims at this exhibition. Their next show for A/W 2015-16 is Sept 2-4, go here to register.  Below is a preview of their latest trends, go here to view and read up on their latest A/W 2015-16 trend call outs.

You can also order their very reasonable Autumn/Winter 2015-16 trend catalog and color card online, go here and to view their six themes that map the trend scenario with editorial for each theme "Extra and Ordinary". Detailed information including visuals and trend colors plus relevant Pantone number can be on the color card.






    SHARP AND SOFT    

Courage, poetry, design endurance, romance, willpower, and consistency define this modern, environmentally conscious theme.  Green visions are still carried by thoughts of liberty and independence, achieving an unexpected dynamic with the help of professional realization and contemporary design.  alternative, self-sufficient, urban and ecological developments represent power and credibility via their developed functionality.


    THE NEW AND CLASSIC    

Classic as concept.  "THE NEW and CLASSIC" modernizes the familiar, from Bauhaus to 60s functional design a la Dieter Rams to a 90s minimalism.  From the early 80s derive inspirations of teenage street wear and pro to sportswear looks.  Androgynous suits in unisex styles of the aughts serve modern business wear.  Out of established forms, fresh new looks arrive thanks to technical ideas and materials.  Themes like power classics, norm core, and low control show the way on the drive towards more simplicity.


    BRAINS AND BONES    

Intelligence and instinct - Cyber meets Stone Age and Space Travel meets Inuit.  The futuristic is grounded by the primal.  Mixing the high-tech  forms of chrome and reflective materials with primordial materials like pelts and felt, brings two distant worlds together and makes the future trend wearable.  This becomes clear in the opposition of "Tech Affinity, Exploratory Urge, Future Vision" and "Symbol, Ritual, Hunting".


    BEAU AND BIZARRE    

Extravagance and humor, dandy and magic, beauty and gourmet, fetish and design, play!boys and play!girls, baroque and disco, bustiers and tuxedos, bow-ties and high heels - an entertaining mixture of creative textile and stylistic riches.  It's calmer and realized with more finesse than in previous seasons.


    HIGH TECH AND LOW GROUND    

Extremes - challenge and inspiration at the same time.  Going to the limits! Extreme activities like Arctic surfing, winter camping or snow biking go along with more relaxed nature adventures like fishing or building a fire.  More moderate, yet still landscape in its purest: hiking in the green of the Scottish highlands, kayak tours through the pristine European forests of the Polish Masuria, or taking a dip in Iceland's hot geysers.


    RACE AND ZEN    

Adrenaline-loaded speed crashes straight into meditative equilibrium.  Jeans are fast and slow!  They continue to combine super tight silhouettes with relaxed widths.  The tendencies come from two directions:  one very technical and functional with protectors and Kevlar woven in, and the other with a meditative characteristic, OM-oriented and calm.


8.04.2014

TRENDS // FRONT ROW SOCIETY - MODERNISM



CREATIVE BRIEF

Submission Deadline: 31 August, 2014, 6pm CET
Voting Starts: 01 September, 2014, 6pm CET

No longer confined to Scottish kilts or sporting flags, the humble check has sprung back into the collective fashion consciousness in recent years with considerable appeal. Deceptively simple, the origins of this traditionally woven print can be traced back over 2000 years, yet the pattern seems embedded into the fabric of modern urban life. From rigidly defined grids of traffic to the checkered patterns of windows of high rise buildings, every modern metropolis sports its own clannish tartan.

So for this month’s scarves challenge, we’re asking you to explore your very own urban check. Think of criss-crossing steel scaffolding, concrete building blocks, the lattices of telephone wires and cables… it’s time to check your city out.

This competition is for scarves. 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 Front Row Society 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.

Go here to learn more and to submit your designs.

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