UK trend predictor Sally Denton joins Daily FT in predicting fashion trends for 2011 and 2012
By Cheranka Mendis (Daily FT)
While we engage in a daily struggle to plan what to wear for the day, a group of people elsewhere is deciding on what the world will wear in the next season, next year. The cheerful and bubbly Managing Director of The Trend Boutique for UK, Sally Denton is one such person with farsighted intuition into the world fashion.
An expert with over 15 years of experience, Denton worked for Paris based forecaster Carlin International – one of the world’s biggest trend forecasters – before she started her own company, The Trend Boutique in 2009.
At Carlin, Denton was responsible for the UK market where she engaged in trend presentations and briefings to clients on a one-to-one basis and through national conferences and international trade fairs. Her company The Trend Boutique is an online resource for students and graduates in all creative sectors, covering trends, industry news, careers and jobs; it also has a comprehensive social network.
Denton, who was down in Sri Lanka for the Colombo Fashion Week, on an invitation from the British Council of Sri Lanka where she conducted a series of workshops, joined Daily FT to reveal Carlin’s predictions for 2012.
“My presentations which ran on three days alongside Colombo Fashion Week were under three topics. The first and perhaps one of the most successful was on trends and trend predictions for 2012 on behalf of Carlin International,” Denton said.
“A mixture of buyers, retailers, designers and new fashion designers along with a few students attended the show where I spoke of how fashion evolves with changing life patterns and how they can connect new products with ethical fashion among others.”
On day two and three, her workshops were on building your own fashion label and intellectual property in fashion.
PREDICTIONS: HOW IT'S DONE
The first question of course was how a company can predict the trends for the next year. “At Carlin we have 14 trend books. This includes one for women wear to menswear, children clothing and even interior decoration. We look at everything that is going on from technological perspective, political, economical and social areas and where it stands,” Denton said.
For example, to predict the trends for 2012, the crisis at Egypt, recession in its implications, natural disasters worldwide are all taken into account. The trend forecasters look at cinemas, the exhibitions and their take, music and the digital world all into account to predict what’s to come in the next year.
“Then the magic happens. They take all the details, analyse them and then put out the predictions.” Her job is one full of fun and excitement, she said.
2012, HERE WE COME!
In 2012, where the world is supposedly coming to end- the year is going to be one colorful ball of fashion. One of Coco Chanel’s most famous quotes “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening;” will be taken in its literal form and the attention will be on nature, colour and culture.
According to Carlin International, there are 12 key trends predicted to come true in 2012. Denton lists the following:
1. Nature inspired by foodAs funny as that sounds, forecasters envisage that food will be a leading inspiration for designers. Food which tugs at the five senses of mankind — vision, audition, gustation, traction and olfaction is what the designers should aim at in creating in their designs, Denton said.
Inspiration will be taken from all processes of food — from how it is created to the packaging itself. And with ‘sustainability’ ringing high up in the world, the theme is not a surprise, she said. “Nature itself has made it back to every ones books and is a big theme throughout the world. Folks are starting to fall back in love with the environment after the recession.”
The world will certainly see more greens and saffrons in the year to come. Neural colours will stay put in the colour palate.
2. Nature inspired by environmentDenton stated that a number of designs inspired by the likes of sky and wind will make it to the colour palate in 2012. The recent natural disasters such as the snow storms, floods and storms will still be part of our memories in 2012, she asserted and that this would enthuse designers to come up with designs using colours that are potent during the year.
“The rains and storms are a reminder that nature is beyond our control and the darker hues and the pale grays now visible will make it to next year.” Lot of denims acid washed and bleached colours will be seen on the ramps then along with fibre used in kites, etc., being used as material.
3. ArgentinaLatin America’s fiery passion will colour the world in 2012 cheering up the forlorn after the global crisis and its implications, Denton said. A very vibrant and intense colour palate will be seen next year with flamenco styling, dark colours and beautiful florals.
She expressed that the colours of Argentina which is both dark yet vibrant at the same time would be the ideal to express what people are feeling — both somber and restrained for the loss that took place with the crisis and a touch of fieriness igniting the passion of the people.
Argentina’s gaucho styling (gaucho is loosely equivalent to North America’s cowboys. They mostly herd cattle) will make it to the ramp as well. A rugged yet feminine look for the women — with ponchos and loose fitting trousers called bombachas – will make it to the top.
4. Digital generation – Young fashionIt is a digital world that is now on the run. With more and more teenagers being identified as users of high-tech equipment such as i-pod, i-phones and i-pad and with the majority using social networks such as facebook, twitter and blogging, digital art will make it to the prints in 2012.
The rising number of child celebrities such as Willow Smith and Dakota Smith is also behind this trend. “With child celebrities it is like the young want to rebel – they are spirited yet love to play with colour, and bright ones at that.”
Lot of graffiti styled designs, bright Miami colour palates, vivid pinks, dripping paint designs are just around the corner. Denton predicts that ’90s style crop tops, fabric that looks like plastic and multi coloured beach hats will all make their way through. People will also start to wear different layers of clothing one atop the other with bright combinations such as lilac, yellow and pink.
5. BreathDesigns that allow and stimulate easy breathing – architectural, soft and light patterning will make headway in 2012. The traditional bobbing lace which Sri Lanka is popular for will be a focal point in the year to come.
“This type of clothing connects with the wellbeing of the consumer and gives out a sense of wanting to escape. The feeling is of walking down the beach on a nice quiet day and breathing.” Denton expressed that this trend will be highly beneficial to Sri Lanka where traditional crafts see as bobbin lace (beeralu) is gaining its importance.
The colours will be very light and neutral with motifs of butterflies and flowers will be part of 2012 to create a very soft and feminine look. It will be very sheer and see-through; the designs will also give emphasis to seams of the outfit.
6. AfricaThe final trend is of reconnecting with traditional crafts, again very relevant for Sri Lanka. Africa, after its new gain popularity after the World Cup with all its bright colours too will make an important imprint in the design world in 2012. Weaves and traditional fibres of Africa will be a highlight. Batiks too are set to shine.
“More terracotta with sparkle is an example of what is set to come. It will be technical and craft based clothing. They would take traditional crafts and mix it with the new world like traditional weaves on laptop covers. New facilities built with luxury but with an almost natural exterior will all be part of 2012.'
What to wear in 2011
Denton, who is easily excited to see their predictions coming true, said that for 2011, the trends forecast is a bit more conservative than the flamboyant 2012. It has to do with recession, she said. “It’s a hard time for most of the world and therefore there will be no pretentiousness. Not so much branding as when times are tough you don’t really want to show off your expensive brands to the world,” Denton said.
“In the UK we are all talking about austerity. Therefore many designs with simple lines with maybe a few bright pieces here and there will rule the day this year,” she asserted. What is in however is simple shapes and colour palates that include natural greys, beige and cream. “Recycling gets a lot more sophisticated in the next few months.”
Cut-outs with intricate patterning, Moroccan and Middle Eastern references, Persian rug designs will come alive. Denton exclaims that it is all about “where the world comes from. It is about mixing the old patterns with the new culture.”
In UK what is seen on the streets is a revival of what Denton calls “the big English heritage”— Barbour jackets, Hermes scarves, skinny jeans, hair knotted tied in a bun and the handbags carried at the fold of the arm. “It’s about taking what means to you from the past and use new technologies to make it unique. I am talking about taking traditional patterns and using it on different material.”
Denton says that the trends predicted for 2012 follows with ease what is seen in 2011. “If we love something we do not want to give it up easily. Look at harem pants; no one will want to give that up easily. Over the last couple of years we have seen a lot of volume used in clothing.”
Coming up this year is the born American styling — denim jeans and denim shirts with American flags, rock ‘n roll style with ripped up and shredded jeans: “Americans are showing their patriotism. The ripped jeans, etc., are symbolic of the war.”
Jumpsuits and maxi dresses with different colours and patterns, which designers call ‘artificial nature’ is another in thing for the year. In short, the trends for 2011 are described as “ultra sweet, extra vibrant and strong in floral patterns. Underwater colours of deep blues and wooden tones will be the colours to watch out for.
A note on Sri Lanka
“We see sustainable and ethical fashion at the forefront in the Sri Lankan market which is a really good sign. UK is now reaching towards this and it is easier for us (the British) to identify with the culture,” Denton asserted. The British can see how Sri Lanka adds value to the product – a good market point for the country.
Sri Lanka’s attempt to promote traditional crafts is also commendable, she said, while what is more commendable is the very organised and professional manner in which is being done. Colombo Fashion Week itself has created a lot of hype in the UK press.
“I heard a lot about it in the UK press. It is good that we are trying to stand on our own. Sometimes you are too small to attract the crowd; this is the best way to do this.”
She expressed that ethical fashion must be built alongside tourism. It’s about connectivity and Sri Lanka is poised to attain the highest results if done properly.
The United Kingdom’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities.
A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland)
Our privacy and copyright statements.
Our commitment to freedom of information. Double-click for pop-up dictionary.
Open the original version of this page.
Usablenet Assistive is a UsableNet product. Usablenet Assistive Main Page.