Forecast season is upon us! Just as we collectively ready ourselves to view Fall/Winter 2007/2008 and mere days before Spring 2007 hits the stores, the real workhorses of the industry are already looking towards trends and forecasts for Spring 2008. Premiere Vision is only a week away but the analysts at The Doneger Group beat them to the punch today with the first big picture look at Spring 2008. Led by Creative Director David Wolfe, the presentation was a brilliant overview of what we can expect not next season, not even the next, but fully three seasons down the road.
For those of you not familiar with the legendary Doneger Group let me give you a brief overview.
The Doneger Group is the leading source of global market trends and merchandising strategies to the retail and fashion industry. Leveraging the company’s 60-year heritage, its premier network of market and trend & color forecasting experts works closely together to provide clients with analysis and direction on product and business planning.
Mr. Wolfe, who gave today’s presentation, is one of the fashion industry’s most quoted authorities, having earned international credentials for his work as a fashion, color and trend forecaster. Prior to joining the The Dongegar Group in 1990, Mr. Wolfe spent 10 years at The Fashion Service, a trend-forecasting service he founded and managed. Mr. Wolfe’s previous experience also includes the role of Creative Director with I.M. International, one of the world’s first fashion forecasting and consulting firms.
During the hour long presentation Mr. Wolfe touched on so many aspects of fashion, color, fabric, and merchandising trends that my head was literally spinning. I simply couldn’t stop smiling either. Here was a man so passionate about the business of fashion that every little change and progression was worthy of some new burst of enthusiasm. He truly was a fashionista after my own heart. Not someone obsessed with products and clothing but someone who loved every aspect of our great industry. The business and people of fashion were his inspiration.
After the jump are my copious notes detailing the Donegar Group’s vision for Spring 2008. In the coming days I promise to flesh out fabric, color, and shape reports with illustration
Charting Change: Then..and Now!
* Then: overdesigned and detailed *Now: clean and minimal
* Then: flashy and trashy. *Now: subtle and sophisticated
* Then: embellished and trimmed: *Now: plain and simple
* Then: vulgar celebs *Now stars with a purpose
Charting Fashion Trend Changes: Then…Now…NEXT!
Then: Retro Reassurance
—Revisionist history revists the past. ’80s/’60s/’40s
—Iconic brands breed familiarity
—Safe, classic items ensure security
Now: Casual Clean-Up
—Fresh fabrics replace the laundered to death look
—Activewear everywhere eveyday, foreverybody, every age
—Layers look more like coordinates
—Denim diminished in fashion and resuming rightful basic role
Next: Future Forward
—Style statements inspired by bygone Space Age
—Pushing imaginative envelope with new visions of Futurism
—Technology replaces design as reason to buy
—Futuristic fabrics: metallic/reflective/reactive
Charting Consumer Changes: Splinter Groupss!
STYLE DRIVEN…Fashionista, or Not
—-Celebrities, fashion editors, designers, socialites
—-Luxurocrats leading the lavish lifestyle
—-Anti-fashion contra-consumers
DEMOGRAPHICALLY_DRIVEN…Age Appropriate
—Younger Junior, more high fashion/designer label savy.
—Grown-up fashions for the not so very young
—Boomers: forever cool (or so they think)
LOCATION DRIVEN..Lifestyle and Climate Control
…City verrsus suburban style
SPECIAL INTERESTS: Teams and Tribes
—Sporting Apparel: skate/soccer/board/surf
—Rocker/Biker/Punk
—Ecologists
CHANGING BUSINESS: Shifting Shoping Systems
—Buy now, wear now. Constant merchandise flow.
—Mid seasons become additional Main Seasons.
–Out of mall shopping experiences: aiports, internet, museums, movies.
—Changing environments: atmosphere and ambiance.
Working Design Changes: Color…Fabric…Shape!
COLOR….Evolutionary Advances
—Continuation of neutrals, now expanded palettes
—softly colored neutralized pastels-not sickly springtime pastels but muted and soft focus
—Directional out of season springtime darks-fuscias, yellows, very tonal
—Injection of colorful color at both the high end low end
FABRIC: Comfort and Performance
—Lighter ad lighter. Often layered
—Totally transparent. Woven and knit
—Seasonles. Midweights.
—Shiney surfaces. Satin, shimmer, polish.
—High-performance expectations. Easy care/protection.
—Special effects. Novelty treatments.
—Prints. Pretty or pushing the envelope
SHAPE: The Biggest Change
—Still skinny sometimes
—Way, way away from the body
—Easy does it for commercial success
—Multiple length opportunities
—The challenge of fit for different body shapes
Changing The Cutting Edge: Who Needs New?
—New visions drive art and architecture
—Avant garde fashion stuck in a rut. Who cares about drab and heroin chic? No one!
—Needed: new attitude and new talents.
Hi,
I have just passed on your blog,
I wrote you this message, because I have myself a blog. The objective is that people send me their picture(s) with the clothes they intend to wear today or the next few days. And this to find out how is the fashion for people like you and me and by people from all over the world. I live in Singapore and here, fashion has a big importance, there’s a mix of cultures. It gives a colorful city… Anyway!
I think it’s great to share, to see how people match their clothes and accessories together. Anyway maybe I’m dreaming a little bit but who doesn’t intend anything, doesn’t get anything.
If you know anyone interested, it’d be great to talk about it, if yourself you find the idea interesting, of course!
My blog : http://your-fashion.skynetblogs.be
Thank you in advance
Have a nice day
Marie
[...] Original post by Almost Girl and software by Elliott Back Posted 17 Jan, 2007 | Categories: Uncategorized [...]
I just want to let you know how much i appreciate your blog. If i had any extra bones left over at the end of my budget i would be more than happy to donate a few to you. It is so refreshing after researching and reading SO MANY fashion blogs that I came across yours, and more importantly, remembered to bookmark it and come back to it later. Finally someone who’s reporting legitimate fashion industry news that’s not regurgitated from the most recent W or Vogue. Finally someone who’s not a caddy college kid, (not that all college kids are caddy, but it seems to be a common thread amongst bloggers) and celebrity obsessed. I LOVE the all encompassing fashion industry. I want to read everything about it, not just the latest gossip blips, and see more than the editorials I’ve already taken a peek at. Thank you for the superb reading material.
*By the way, how do you become a member of Coutorture?
please feel free to email me:
fashionweakley@gmail.com
Thank you so much for your coverage of my Forecast Presentation. I am so happy that my enthusiasm is contagious. Keep up your fabulous blogging and keep fashion-awareness aflame.
Regards,
David Wolfe
Please send me the fashion forecasting for summer 2007,fall 2007/2008 included fabrics, styles ,and colours. thank you!
Thank you so much to Almost Girl for this legitimate trend info for Spring ‘08. I am a freelance handbag designer and don’t have the $2500 for an accessory trend book but my clients expect me to know the trends.
I will be checking here often for your much appreciated updates!
Thanks
Arlene
Thanks for your blog, as a small brand, without spending tons of dough we don’t have, it’s sooo hard to get legitimate forecasts. i would be interested in any color/materail forecasts you have for spring 08′
Thanx- god bless
Hi there!
Thanks for posting the info! I would also be interested in seeing any color/fabric fashion forecasts you have for spring 08′! This is such a great resource and is much appreciated!
Thanks!
Hi,
I am desperately looking for fine jewelry trends for fall 2007/2008. can anybody help me?
thanks in advance,
Miri
Im so glad I happened upon this forecast…it is great because I am a student and definately looking toward the future (which really isnt). Anyways great blog!
I am designing a line of junior tops in the Western Industry, do you feel the trends for Spring 2008 usable for the Country Western Industry? Thanks a million- I love your site….
hi am looking for jewellery trends 2008….
any help would be awesome
I am in desperate need of legitimate forcasting (trends, fabrics, accessory trends) for Spring 2008. If someone could send them to me that would be so wonderful. I am working on a project I have to take to a job interview next friday. Thanks!
hello
i need very desparetly
forecast of childrens
colors and textere for next year
fashion or interior
thank you
http://matixjeweltrend.blogspot.com/
This is my trends jewelry blog
Can’t wait to read up on Spring 08 fabric, color, and shape reports with illustrations. Most forecast web sites cost a bomb!!!
Hello,
My name is Lydia, I am a fashion illustrator. I have been doing fashion illustration for three years. I was wondering if your company was looking for illustrators to convey the trend forecasting your company does. Please contact me at if so, and I will send you my portfolio. Thank you, and have great day.
Lydia
Email: lydiavallo@hotmail.com
Phone: 647 409 4735
HI There
Thanks, interesting blog… i was just wondering i heard Orange was tipped off to be the hot new colour for next season… is this true? and also what are the other ontrend colours for next year?
if you could let me know that would be great !
cheers
tash
Hi!
Thanks for a nice coverage on trends s2008. I would be grateful to see some thing on fashion jewelry for SS2008. I am young Indian entrepreneur involved in manufacturing and exporting fashion jewelry to global markets.
Any kind of help is highly appreciated.
Thanks again!
iS THERE ANY UPDATE ON SPRING 08 JEWELRY TRENDS?
tHANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
MIRI
hi…
I am looking for fashion forecast for the year 2008(Trend, color ,ETC.)
Thank You
Nisha
hi,,,
i m looking for fashion forecast((fabric,colours,trends)) of 2008…
cud u mail me the above detailswith pictures,,if possible.
thank u
komal
Hi, would love a little report or something on forecasts for spring summer 208 as am doing a college assignment on this. thanks.
greetings!
am also searching for the fashion forecast for next year. Like the colors, fit etc.thanks
hey… am looking for jewellery trends… any help would be great…
I personally love retro anything including retro fashion. Thanks for the post.
Hi ,
I teach Product devlopment and fashion forecasting..can you give me a calendar followed by different types of reatilers for their respective fashion forecasting and Product development.
Your site is very informative and uselful.
Thanks and cheers!!
Rituu.
Hi,
I am looking for flat knitted garment forecast color structure yarn etc.
Thanks to advise.
Best Regards,
Raveesh
hi im looking for 2008 fashion forecast, (fabric, color, trends).
could u please send me details with pics via email.
require both spring summer/ autumn winter.
I encourage you all to go with cotton-sateen for fabric, colors are coral blue, yellow and aqua blue, trends lots of casual yet stylish looks mostly layer!
Hi,
I m looking for the styles, Colors & Shapes in flat & fine knit.
Amrit
hi there! wat is the fashion color of the year 2008?
Hi
very interesting to read the various comments….
well we are ourself’s manufactures for some of the leading fashion brands from Europe and US, and what would be intresting is to see some good notes on trends,fits,fabrics,etc.. and the new trends…
it would be great to see some greta inputs when so many like minded minds are on it already……….
Hi
very interesting to read the various comments….
well we are ourself’s manufactures for some of the leading fashion brands from Europe and US, and what would be intresting is to see some good notes on trends,fits,fabrics,etc.. and the new trends…
it would be great to see some great inputs when so many like minded minds are on it already……….
i am a junior at johnson and whales studing fashion forecasting can you advise me on internships in the field.
thank you
I appreciate for such a great efforts to this site just to provide us entire coverage on upcoming trends and forecaste . Really wonderfull. I am moreover concrened with fashion jewellery since last many years back and can help you to know something about new trends as well. You may please contact at RAJ_MANJUINDIA@YAHOO.CO.IN or call me 0091-9971083387