Textile Insight

Design Influences, Market Drivers and Consumer Attitudes. easons shaped by forces of nature and technology are ushering in an ecological approach to design, material development and lifestyle in a changing active/outdoor landscape, according to trend forecasters. "We have to shift our way of producing, living and consuming," stated Nora Kuhner, a Munich- based freelance designer with expertise in clothing/ textiles for sports. "It's about new ideas, new models and future-oriented creation" In her recent Performance Days webinar, "Seasonal Colors for Summer 2023," Kuhner focused on seeing things anew, rather than bouncing back to what was. "It's all about the spirit of being alive and going for- ward," said Kuhner who outlined a handful of themes that centered on cautious optimism, a lust for color, and desire for materials to make a cleaner life. In a trend identified as, "We r Part of Nature," Kurhner highlighted a need to curb our excesses, to act together and rethink our idea of human life, elements that are reflected in a harmonious color palette for the season ahead. A merging of the digital with the analog is a key trend in S/S 2023, according to Kuhner, who called attention to the influence of digitalization. "The bright lumines- cence of on-screen aesthetics will influence what we do with color," said Kuhner. "Use of new tools and new creative language of digitalization will have an impact on the future of clothing." Fashion Snoops: From Culture to Product S/S 2022 The most outdoor-relevant of the three trends reported during the Fashion Snoops' forecast presentation is REBIRTH which signifies "eco-virtuous living in harmony with nature and individuals as stewards of the environment to pursue re-invention." Nature infused color is a strong design influence with "Honey" as a top color choice for the season. "Materials look at sustainability through a bold lens," stated Nia SIlva, Fashion Snoops materials direc- tor active/outdoor. She noted the trend of repurposing everything from fiber to garment closures, and identified plant-based material innovations using mushrooms, hemp and cacti as market drivers. Silva described directional products for S/S '22 as having rugged beauty, sturdy materials, and natural colorways. Functionality will be front-facing with outdoor practicality a central attribute. Styles to watch include upcycled essentials like field short and consciously designed camp sets. Fashion Snoops called out LIBERATE, a trend that celebrates diversity and equity. This is reflected in bold, high-tech features via functional finishes and engineered performance. As an example, a new take on reflectivity that is dual tone. Prints and graphics are highly expres- sive and tech-advanced such as augmented motion as a performance enhancing property. According to Silva, S/S 2022 is filled with sustainable innovations from hemp blends, to mono materials to make recycling easier, to greater awareness of microplastics and how to engineer fabrics that don't pill. WGSN: "Outside in the Roaring '20s" Joe McDonnell, head of WGSN Insight discussed a new vision of outdoor and new consumer attitudes in a recent webinar that explored how "armchair adventurers are getting outside and looking for new challenges, while influencers are impersonating national parks on TikTok." McDonnell outlined major market drivers for the out- door sector. These include Digitalization, e-Commerce, De-Growth, Environmental Action, and Value & Values -- a double whammy of consumers seeking brands that stand for something. In terms of what consumer trends will likely stick in post-pandemic life, McDonnell says the "connection vs convenience axis" intersects well for Outdoor. "People are spending their dollars on experiences you can't rep- licate at home, like outdoor sports and dining outdoors and just getting out. Health is an overarching theme of the seasons ahead. Says McDonnell, "We're now talking about health not just in the physical sense, but in terms of financial, mental, and social sense. These days holistic wellness goes beyond time at the gym and drinking green juice." l S IN THE MARKET | SPRING/SUMMER '22 /23 Future Forecast 9 • Textile Insight ~ September/October 2021 textileinsight.com Material call-outs from Fashion Snoops Outdoor S/S 2022 trend tagged Rebirth.

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