FOCUS December 2016 Issue
Chasing an illusive dream? Fashions of the future
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INTRODUCTION Chasing an illusive dream? Fashions of the future Is the future something you hope will be even more advanced than it is now? Fashion is influenced by many things music, art, street style, culture, nature, you name it. Trends can be dominated by anything and everything you individually see as inspiration. This is how a creative idea can turn into a trend. But in terms of future, technology has evolved a lot over the years, as this present day is the most technically advanced we have ever been as a planet. Planet? Yes, earth, another thing that comes to mind when thinking about the future, space, the solar system. We live in a society where you are judged by first impression and this includes the way you present yourself. Wouldn’t you like to live in a world where you would always make the right first impression and accomplish more things in life due to this new self-confidence? This issue will cover the information you need to help find your own individual style for the future.
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CONTENTS Chasing an illusive dream? Fashions of the future
COLOUR REPORT TEXTILE REPORT PRINT REPORT TRIMS AND EMBLISHMENT REPORT STYLE PHENOMENON FINE ART EXHIBITION REVIEW GENDER FLUIDITY
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Colour Report Photo; own source
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R A B A N N E Photo; sourced by Vogue
Neon lights can brighten up any dark room and you can find them almost anywhere. Especially at a club, festival, concert or rave. As it feeds off the darkness, the different colours come to life. The young fashion market use this as their inspiration. Neon lights work well for women’s slogan lettering and abstract patterns and are usually in the colours hot pink, orange, purple and yellow. This is ideal to appear on casual t-shirts and has been picked up upon streetwear brands. These colours are perfect to wear for a hot look for a causal evening or party, with skinny jeans and heels to edge it up. I also feel that these bright colours resemble the galaxy. This trend has emerged through exhibitions and is also now the future for visual merchandising in stores.
Photo; sourced byPantone
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This proves that a trend can start from anywhere and that saying goes, ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. However, collections in the past have used metallic colours and always emphasised on the colour silver as it refers to futuristic and ethereal theme. An example of this colour being used is in Paco Rabanne’s spring/ summer 2012 ready-to-wear collection, who designed chain metal dresses in a range of colours from silver, gold, orange, red, green and blue. (Vouge. com) Metallic colours are still a key trend and have been seen in a more counterbalance black background with mystic shine to deliver a new decorative look. This colour also appeals to all ages as it offers youthful energy as the silver shine dominates the metallic surfaces
TEXTILE REPORT In 1939 the most famous fashion designers in America predicted what women’s fashion would look like in the year 2000 and made a video advert called “EVE”. (www.youtube.com) Some of the fashion predictions involved, a bridal gown with a telephone veil, skirts to completely disappear and transparent netted dresses. I know right you’re probably thinking they would never have predicted anything correctly. However, one of the American designers predicted that transparent material would be popular due to it being revealing as this material brings a sex appeal, to catch the males attention.
Photo; sourced by WGSN
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Photo; sourced by Hello Vancity magazine
Transparent materials such as mesh is a versatile contemporary fashion fabric and is a micro trend. According to WGSN, it has been reported that mesh has found a new light. Mesh is being used in a fishnet geometric shape and this is a new emerging trend. (WGSN - Active Textiles Forecast S/S 18: Knits & Wovens report). So you can see how old trends have been recycled and adapted into new ones. This proves that in the near future old trends will come back so don’t worry too much about your favourite garment from last season, it will come out the closet soon again in the near future.
Moving on, we cannot talk about fabrics and not address new developed fabrics, two that caught my eye is Evrnu and Qmilch. Evrnu is a fibre made out of recycled cotton waste from garments, that then gets turned into a quality fabric. Qmilch is made out of an interesting renewable sources. Can you guess what it is? Yes, that’s right sour milk, sour milk? This fibre is similar to silk but more affordable and washable with care. Due to this fibre being naturally antibacterial it can control temperature. This fibre would be perfect for sportswear, as its soft and therefore practical to exercise in.
P R O C E S S
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Photo; sourced by Triple Pundit
Recycling is a great way to help the environment and has become part of our every day life. This breakthrough means we are one step closer with modern technology helping us carry on producing clothes but in a more eco friendly way. (http://www.evrnu.com) Recycling is all about keeping our earth environmentally stable so that we can have a future because if we don’t help protect it, then our planet will turn into poison and endanger future generations.
P R I N T
R E P O R T
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Photo; sourced byPinterest
Photo; sourced by Pinterest
G A R E T H
Photo; own source holographic print, taken in Topshop
This print also reminds me of robots but not the traditional kind, the modern futuristic kind. Fashion designers are always looking for new inspiration to incorporate into themes for a collection. Gareth Pugh is one to watch as his collections are so inspiring because he’s always thinks outside the box. And when you think you have seen it all, you get flabbergasted by something completely new. A personal favourite of mine is his spring 2012 readyto-wear collection. In this collection he included masks that covered the models whole head and clearly resembles a modern female robot.
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The three-dimensional holographic print is made out of holograms. This was first spotted in the autumn/ winter 2012 and 2013 catwalk. This print represents retro futuristic glam, as it has a hint of 70 vibes with a funky bright twist. I find this aesthetically pleasing to look at and abstract due to the whole rainbow illusion in the print. This print has flooded the UK high street from Topshop to H&M. It can be found on garments, accessories and shoes, this print has no boundary. This is something I find rare as this print can turn any casual look into a trendy look. So if you’re feeling lazy and can’t decide to plan out a whole look or just simply in a rush, why not wear a holographic print.
Photo; sourced byVogue
TRIM & EMBELLISHMENT REPORT
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As Christmas fast approaches, why wouldn’t you want to look as decorative as your Christmas tree? Large sequins are a must have for this year’s holiday and end of year party. But sequins are not just suitable for eveningwear but also daywear as it has transitioned over the years from not only appearing in winter, but now summer catwalk collections too. Sequins can come in all shapes and size and when reflected against light, it looks identical to a holographic print. This links in with my print report as I mentioned it looking ‘aesthetically pleasing’, I feel the same way about sequins. It’s a great embellishment to have on your clothes for occasional wear and help sparkle up your wardrobe.
Photo; sourced by Pinterest Photo; sourced by Vogue
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In terms of trims, fringing has been a key trim for this year’s spring/summer 2016 trend and has made several comebacks over the past few decades. I feel one designer’s collection that could have inspired this trend is Dion Lee. Dion has shown fringing in a whole new light for me. As he has put the traditional fringing aside and used jersey in black and white to recreate his perception of structured skin, through fringing. (Vouge.com) It’s amazing to hear how anything can inspire someone to then create a whole collection. This is something that I personally think is incredible as he has thought outside the box. This gives me hope to believe that the fashion industry will only become more inventive in the years ahead.
STYLE PHENONMENON
LADY GAGA
Lady Gaga photographed by Inez & Vinoodh for Harper’s Bazaar, December issue.
How many people do you know that would take as many fashion risks as Lady Gaga? Anyone… No? Unless your names Lady Gaga, as she is ever so fearless, in every aspect. The American singer has always had a huge impact on fashion, over the years with her extravagant over the top outfits. She has even written a song about fashion, that is titled ‘fashion’. In the lyrics she talks about how she wants to be dressed up and how much she loves designer clothes. A lyric in particular from her song ‘fashion’ says “you are, who you wear it’s true”. (www.azlyrics. com) This comes across to me as quite judgemental, as she is basically saying if you don’t wear luxury designer brands then you are a nobody. Which I do not agree with, as you how that saying goes, ‘you can’t judge a book by its cover’. It’s true, let’s be real not everyone follows trends and just because they don’t, it doesn’t mean they cannot have a nice personality. One of her most memorable outfits is the meat dress she wore to the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards. I remember it being all over social media and people were going crazy over it and am not surprised that vegetarians where not so pleased with her, afPhoto; sourced by Cosmopolitan ter all they are against animal cruelty. But it’s the outrageous things you do in life that makes you be remembered in life, and that’s exactly what Lady Gaga was doing. She was making her mark and now that meat dress is now in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame museum. This proves how a fashion statement can have a big impact on the world. “Right after the VMAs, the museum contacted Lady Gaga about the meat dress and the plan for the future”, Jun Francisco, the Director of Collections, told MTV. They have managed to keep the meat preserved by taxidermied. (Cosmopolitan magazine) The reason why I chose Lady Gaga as my style phenomenon as she doesn’t care what the public think about her in terms of how she dresses and I feel she is a role model in this aspect. As we too should be brave to make a fashion statement as she has and be able to be confident Photo; sourced by Pinterest with your own personal style.
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Fine Art Exhibition Review
Tate Modern is a public gallery that’s on a mission to ‘increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of British art from the 16th century to the present day and of international modern and contemporary art’. (http://www.tate. org.uk/about/who-we-are) The exhibition I visited was called ‘Explore Artist and Society’ based in the boiler house on level 2. This exhibition gave me an insight in an artist’s minds and how they feel about society, when it comes to themselves as individuals. The reason behind this is to use art to help raise awareness on current issues. When I walked into the room, it was very condensed and was filled with posters that had different artist quotes based on society. A quote by the artist Richard Dedomenici really captivated me. “As children we’re natural artists. Then we get that inclination beaten/ taught out of us at school and have to pay thousands of pounds to relearn it at art school. So stick with your natural tendencies, it will save you time and money later on”. As soon as I read that it made me think, is this really true?
But the point am trying to make is that no one should have to change themselves due to others without good reason. But this is how much society has an impact on us today. Society affects us socially, economically and politically. Fashion needs society as it benefits them a lot as it stimulates society, while it promotes creativity. However, fashion in society has disadvantages, as people believe fashion is harmful especially for younger generation, as it can knock down your self-esteem and make you feel left out. This could lead to being bullied for not having the latest fashion trends. So it’s understandable to see how society is used to judge your appearance more than your personality and this links to what I was saying about Lady Gaga in my style phenomenon article.
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G E N D E R
F L U I D I T Y
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Gender fluid is how people represents themselves individually, most people will think about transgender people. But it’s actually a lot broader then you think, as gender fluid means you could identify yourself a gender, but fluctuate over time. This means at one stage you could identify your gender as male, female, neutrois, or any other non-binary identity, or even a combination of identities.
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The reason to why I have chosen to talk about gender is because at the moment a lot of changes are currently happening within the fashion industry that changes rules regarding gender. As gender fluidity has become more socially known, it is down to fashion to keep up and create fashion suitable for all genders. This is also a whole new aspect for the target market, which requires its needs being fulfilled. However, this can also help a company for example bring in more sales due its broader target market. Several brands have already started collections for gender fluid people include ‘Frank + Oak’, ‘Andersson Bell’, ‘Aimé Leon Dore’, ‘Non Conformist’, ’13 Month’, ‘Hersey’ and ‘Basic Cotton’. These are all brands to watch according to (WGSN ‘Gender-Fluid Utility Autumn/Winter 17/18’) report. I look forward to hearing more about gender fluid and how more brands will take on this new target market.
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To conclude I have highlighted key trends or past trends throughout this magazine issue as I found it was relevant to the near future, because as times passing people are moving on and that’s exactly how certain trends work. However, this does not mean a trend will never come back in style. As long as the world continues to evolve, then so will fashion. It adapts to its surroundings, the target market and by that I mean you.