Fashion Forecasting

One of the most important parts of the design process is to create clothing that people will buy. Unfortunately, no matter how good the designer might be, if they are unable to assess the current trends within their target market their designs will not sell. To fully assess the trend map for a given market, the history of the market needs to be considered as well as the zeitgeist and designer trends. Below is a trend forecast for women's evening wear, which is the target market for my junior and senior collections.

Evolution

2008 - Gowns are marked by a simple silhouette. Many gowns are floor-length with a loose bias cut feel, with either an empire cut or a simple bodice fitted to the waist. Colors are simple with prints few and far between.	2009 - Many dresses still have a bias cut silhouette, but mermaids start making an appearance. Intricate pleating and draping create intricate textures, and act as embellishments. One shoulder or strapless dresses are in the majority. Color still remains monochromatic.	2010 - Gowns become more varied in terms of silhouettes. The simple bias cut dresses are still popular, but mermaids and ballgowns become increasingly popular. Although color remains monochromatic for the most part, prints begin to make their way onto the scene, and solid fabrics are accented with sparkly appliques and laces. Most hemlines reach the floor, and many dresses sport a train. However, some gowns are starting to show more of wearer's feet.
2011 - About half the dresses still retain a simple bias cut. The others are a mix of modest ballgowns, to flamboyant mermaids. Bustles and trains are quite popular. Many dresses have either beading or sequins appliqued on the dress, or if that is not enough sparkle, some have sequined fabric. Hemlines continue to rise, but a majority of the gowns remain touching the floor. Prints begin to seep into the spotlight, but are outshone, literally, by the amount of decoration on the gown.	2012 - Ancient Greek influences were obvious in the draped gowns that were popular this year. Some designers took a modern twist to the Greek silhouette and created more sculptural draping. Beading and sequins are still quite popular as embellishments to any ensemble.	2013 - Skirts are gradually gaining volume, mainly as a train, but some a-lines and ball gowns are present. Halter tops make an appearance.
2014 - Silhouettes gravitate towards a simple A-line shape. The gowns are embellished by intricate panels, or lace-like embroidery.	2015 - Ballgowns are becoming more prevalent, although the sleek look is still popular. Interesting geometric panels are still popular which create interesting details.	2016 - Large slits and plunging necklines accented many gowns. Embellishments - sparkles, lace or otherwise - were used in moderation. Geometric panels were still quite popular.
2017 - Sheer looks, or looks that seemed sheer were quite popular. Deep necklines and large slits remained prevalent. Ballgown dresses came out in full force.	2018 - Voluminous dresses remain popular. Many of these are accented by layered teirs. Large skirt slits seem to be on the decline, but deep necklines remain. Trailing fabrics from long sleeves, trains, or capes become popular.	2019 - Sleek textured dresses make an interesting debut. Large sculptured accents become prevalent. Tulle dresses, with many layers of ruffles, are introduced.

Zeitgeist

Be it through pinks, pastels, laces, floral prints, capes or large skirts and ruffles, a more feminine style is on the rise.

Fall 2019 Trends

Mod Mini

Dolce and Gabbana, Fall 2019, ready-to-wear. One unusual trend featured in the Fall 2019 ready to wear collections was the use of bows for embellishments as they were used for a variety of different methods. Since the bow is usually associated with little girls, this trend helps women to feel younger than they actually are.

Femme Future

Graceful Power

Rodarte Fall 2019, ready - to - wear. Recently, women's fashion has taken a turn away from more somber clothing and exploding into more feminine styles. Floral prints and large ruffles are only part of this trend.

Greta Constantine, Fall 2019 ready - to - wear. Like the power shoulders of the 1980's large shoulders are coming back in style. However, in evening wear the style is a little more subdued and feminine rather than the harsh angles of business wear.

Fall 2020 Forecast

Fashion Forecasting

Evolution

2008 - Gowns are marked by a simple silhouette. Many gowns are floor-length with a loose bias cut feel, with either an empire cut or a simple bodice fitted to the waist. Colors are simple with prints few and far between.

2009 - Many dresses still have a bias cut silhouette, but mermaids start making an appearance. Intricate pleating and draping create intricate textures, and act as embellishments. One shoulder or strapless dresses are in the majority. Color still remains monochromatic.

2012 - Ancient Greek influences were obvious in the draped gowns that were popular this year. Some designers took a modern twist to the Greek silhouette and created more sculptural draping. Beading and sequins are still quite popular as embellishments to any ensemble.

2013 - Skirts are gradually gaining volume, mainly as a train, but some a-lines and ball gowns are present. Halter tops make an appearance.

2014 - Silhouettes gravitate towards a simple A-line shape. The gowns are embellished by intricate panels, or lace-like embroidery.

2015 - Ballgowns are becoming more prevalent, although the sleek look is still popular. Interesting geometric panels are still popular which create interesting details.

2016 - Large slits and plunging necklines accented many gowns. Embellishments - sparkles, lace or otherwise - were used in moderation. Geometric panels were still quite popular.

2017 - Sheer looks, or looks that seemed sheer were quite popular. Deep necklines and large slits remained prevalent. Ballgown dresses came out in full force.