How to Forecast

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Final Board

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Narrative

Descriptive Story:

i.How did you arrive at this forecast? Be specific.

This forecast is the result of a team effort to perform research, evaluation, and draw conclusions on the common theme.  Our group created a scan plan to define and schedule how each member would complete research, including field research by going to events like cat walks, observing people at the local mall.  In addition, the effort included a good amount of desk research such as watching catwalks online, and looking at Pinterest or Instagram for remarkable items. Throughout this process, each group member contributed 25 different sources showing inspirational pieces that are influential to fashion trends. Overall, 100 sources were evaluated and narrowed down to create a portfolio.  The portfolio describes the common denominator which we describe as the trend of adapting classics from past decades into fresh styles that feminine, romantic and chic.  

ii.What evidence do you have to support this forecast?

The research completed to arrive at the forecast provided repeated evidence to support our conclusion that a take on classic styles was a strong fashion trend for upcoming seasons.  Clustering technique was used to highlight the strongest similarities across 100 various sources, including renaissance dress styles from the 20’s.  This became a starting point for deeper research to validate the significance.  Historical research was completed to identify the retro and vintage characteristics that were reappearing in today’s trends, including the works to document fashion from the 20’s 70’s and 90’s. Women’s Wear designer collections from Spring 2018 were then deeply considered to trace repeated patterns and themes.  In doing so, it was apparent that fashion was moving to more feminine, loose, layered, and exotically embellished styles.  These looks are reminiscent of those earlier iconic styles but presented in a fresh modern way.        

iii.Did you use a directional theory of fashion change, Laver’s Law, the 20-year gap, or the pendulum swing of fashion? If so, how? What did it reveal or assist in revealing?

The forecast generated by our group describes a pendulum swing of fashion.  After years of body-hugging and flesh-baring women’s styles, the pendulum has swung back to the other extreme.  Our forecast describes the swing to layered styles, with feminine trims such as glitter, bows, feathers, and fur. These new styles are seemingly opposite from trends from recent years which now seem hard, minimalistic and overly sexy.       

Trend Narrative:

The Modestly Chic woman is fashion forward New York City Native, that loves appearing as a mystery. Her style and choice of dress is conservative while being fun and wearing statement looks.  She is inspired by being sexy and flirty, without showing too much skin. Modestly chic is an independent business woman, who is soft, classy and not afraid of bold color.  Her wardrobe has very feminine pieces alongside oversized androgynous styles.

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 Historical Research

 Based on the book, Historic Costume, we found that the texture of clothes, especially evening clothes, during the 1970s were sheer, inspired by the Lingerie Look. At that time “the basic silhouette was bulky because of the soft, fluid fabrics and the skirt length covered knee as well as just above the ankle for the evening.” Since the fashion silhouette became relaxed, giving more ease and comfort, we can say people became more informal in their lifestyle. When we were compiling 10 collections, we saw many similarities between dresses that were sheer, oversized with soft fabrics.

 The Givenchy Spring 2018 which is one of the collections we chose has many layers on a dress and oversized dresses. According to the following two images from the books, Survey of Historic Costume and Costume History and Style, we noticed that the characteristics in this collection are from the 1920s. The female models with an oversized jacket entirely help them look as strong as men in terms of physical appearance. We also thought the oversized jackets provide a new direction of how current society values women.  

 When it comes to styles associated with a subculture, the Spring 2018 collections have a punk style which was “a radical style of the mid to late 1970s by unconventional combinations of elements and materials and a high shock value” defined from the book, Fashion Costume, and Culture.  As you can see from the collection, the puffy hair that looks similar to spiked hair and the acid jeans are reminiscent of the punk style.

                                                      References

Katherine M. L. (1977). Historic Costume 7th Edition. Denver, Illinois: Chas. A. Bennett Co., 294-295.

Sara P. and Tom p. (2004). Fashion, Costume, and Culture: Clothing, Headwear, Body Decorations, and Footwear through the Ages. New York, NY: The Gale Group, Inc., 946.

Fig. 1. Early Art Deco (1926). Costume History and Style. [drawing], 5 x 2 cm. From Costume History and Style (pg. 406), by Douglas A. R., 1983, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

Fig. 2.  Courtesy of Cat walking (2009). Survey of Historic Costume, [photograph], 13 x 6.5 cm. From Survey of Historic Costume (pg. 492), by Phyllis G. T., 2010, New York, NY: Fairchild Books.

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 Look Forecast

The recognition of repeated design principles, elements, or innovation found in the Spring 2018 fashion collections is the foundation for 2019 style direction. One of the most dominant features across the collections is the new loose fitting form, trending away from earlier body-hugging styles. A strong pattern existed in these collections to further magnify the loose form by adding multiple fabric layers, bulky embellishments such as ruffles, as well as shoulder definition. In order to achieve balance on the bulky form, plunging necklines and wide belts are used to give a proportionate look. Maxi length dresses, as well as mini styles with trains were common to the collections in soft, flowy fabrics, with romantic nostalgic embellishments.

Designers embraced the nostalgia trend in their Spring 2018 collections, recreating looks from past decades, in fresh and inspired presentations. Renaissance styles that were popular in the 1920’s appear as new softer long silhouettes in dress and sleeve lengths, to incorporate exaggerated amounts of feminine trims, such as fringe, feathers, and sparkles. The collections also revisited art-inspired styles, such as over-sized pantsuits with graphical design, popular in the 1970’s. Designs include repetition of symmetrical patterns in fabric and garment lines, with accentuation by trimming out seams and hemlines. Spring styles were constructed in soft and smooth textures, with a repeated theme of silk, fur and transparent materials. Colors had similarities across the collections with Ultra Violet 2018 Panetone color shown in softer versions, along with bright colors such as green and blue. Sheer fabrics for dresses and dressy satin and glittery fabrics were common, just as they were in the vintage collections.

Style trends from the Spring 2018 collections will be translated to real world styles.  Based on the patterns identified across collections, a general theme will apply loose and over-sized styles for pants and dresses.  The athleisure brands will follow by introducing styles to dress-up loose fit joggers with embellishments, such as side seam trim, to give a more feminine look. The trend for craftwork that was popular in the 1970’s and now again popular with Street Style fashion sources will be seen in embroidered accents to flowy tops, denim, as well as fabric bags.  Real world styles include romantic flowy, layered dresses in sheer and gauze fabrics, with feminine trimmings. The Spring 2018 designer collections reflect a shift in the fashion pendulum towards a softer and more feminine look.     

Designer Collections- Spring 2018

Loewe

Givenchy

Jean Paul Gaultier

Alberta Ferretti Limited edition

ACNE STUDIOS

Viktor & Rolf

Elie Saab

Zuhair Murad

Chanel

Mui Mui

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Clustering

These outfits with floral patterns and very unique color grabbed our attention. These have ruffles on the sleeves and tops that were popular in 60 - 70s, low V-neck, an oversized jacket, and pants. These tops have similarities from the 20s and 70s such as oversized and having layers on the bottom of the top. These unique characteristics that feel like elegant as well as casual at the same time. We named these as fashion in a daddy’s life since the oversized top reminded us of our daddies’ big clothes that never fit on our body.

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Big hair is back! or did it ever leave? this Mui Mui design is inspired by the 80s with the big hair, skinny high waisted jeans, big belts, and bright textured sweater. 

https://www.elle.com/runway/g19126170/miu-miu-runway-show-paris-fashion-week-fall-2018/?slide=6

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This photo was posted on instagram on May 9th 2018. this is Jlo at the met gala. she is wearing a cross because the theme was Heavenly bodies. she is showing a lot of leg like Jlo normally does. her short hair is stylish and the perfect summer cut. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bif1g5khoZP/?tagged=metgalajlo

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This photo was posted to Instagram on April 21st, 2018. From this photo you get a calm and quiet feeling from this room but a loud and noisy feeling from the outside. the brick wall gives a homey feelings.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh064SHlZ1v/?taken-by=adesignersmind

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this photo was posted on instagram on may 9th 2018. this photo shows an indoor garden of a tree. just from this photo you can feel how clean this room is. it seems as if you could have a lot of fresh air in this room and breath easy. the design is clean and modern.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bih7RenFZuy/?taken-by=adesignersmind

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This photo was posted on instagram on may 9th 2018. this photo was taken at the met gala. in this photo is the star Kim kardashian. she is wearing a gold dress with crosses on it. the theme this year was heavenly bodies. 

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/metgalakimkardashian/

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this photo was posted on instagram on may 9th 2018. this photo was taken at the 2018 met gala. it is showing the similarities between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj. they were once not friends but they rekindled their friendship at the gala. their styles are similar. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BikpSPNH5TQ/?tagged=metgala

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this photo was posted on Instagram on may 9th 2018. in this photo it compares Blake Lively’s dress at the 2018 Met Gala to a dress from past times. it shows that Blake’s dress was inspired by this look. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/Biko5BQlQKA/?tagged=metgala

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this photo was posted on Instagram on April 3rd 2018. This white kitchen appears very clean and still. with the pops of color it looks trendy and modern. the marble counter tops make it modern as well. a white kitchen is preferred in this age. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhHRQWJlyMK/?taken-by=sbv.architects

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This photo was taken on April 28th 2018. In this photo it shows that the 80s black and white checked floor is coming back into style. this photo was taken in Jaipur, Rajasthan. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiHXnVxHJ1x/?taken-by=archdigest

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This picture was posted on May 9th, 2018 on instagram. in this photo it shows the simple design that is preferred by most today. the brick wall makes a clean warm feeling to the space.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bik5SsPncU-/?tagged=architecture

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This steel piece is found on Kstate’s campus. it was a gift from John L. Vogt. Vogt was a professor at KSU and taught sculpture. this piece does not have a name. it was created in 1966. 

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Graphic Tees are a great way to show your personality/ humor through fashion. this photo was taken on Cinco de Mayo. this photo is from instagram. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiZwh35BlQq/?taken-by=mcholdeman