Wrongful trend-forecasting

[lilbabe80]

I just began a new position as an Assistant Designer at a small family-owned company for contemporary women's apparel. I was asked to do trend forecasting for spring/summer 2006. The problem arose when my boss told me that my trends were totally different than hers. Mine were: Mod-Inspired (stripes, black & white, geometric shapes, clean lines), Industrial (dusty grays & blues, smokey blue/gray, etc.), Surrealism (ruffles, dirdhl skirts, slim pantsuits). I got my research from looking at runway shows & trend forecast magazines. Also, I was inspired by fashion forward people like Kate Moss.

My boss said that her trends were militaristic, victorian, and 1920's inspired. Aren't all things trends that are current are passing? By the time production is finished & the product reaches the selling floor, these trends are going to be over. I kept asking: you're asking for s/s 06 not fall 05 right? Now my boss is looking at me as if I'm not aware of trends.

I'm not sure if I should bite my tongue or say something. If I don't say anything, I will be partially blamed for things not selling. And if I do say something, I don't want to insult my new boss or create tension.

Any advice? Any tips would be much appreciated!!!

 

[yourbestfriend]

I reccommend you saying somethign to her, but remember not to sound like a knwo it all either. She should also be accepting of your opinions if she asked you to do trendforecasting. Youre right Victorian and Military was maybe 2 or 3 seasons ago, youre quite right on your part.

Maybe also mention that you keep up with the latest fashion shows and such, because she obviosly isnt. Itll show whos forecasting the right things in the end....

 

[lilbabe80]

Thanks for the quick reply. I will definitely say something and try to demonstrate why I came up with my trends. I'm also going to ask her where she got her sources just to understand how we came up with such different results. Thanks again!

 

[emi25]

Touches of military and victorian you can find almost every season..there are so many ways to interpret it...So I dont think your boss is totally wrong (and neither are you)..I think it's important to discuss theese things in the creative group..the best collections comes out of a mix of a lot of styles..

 

[Hanne]

Sounds like your boss has a tough time letting go and letting you do the trendforcast ?
Mod-Inspired (stripes, black & white, geometric shapes, clean lines), Industrial (dusty grays & blues, smokey blue/gray, etc.), Surrealism (ruffles, dirdhl skirts, slim pantsuits). > < militaristic, victorian, and 1920's inspired.

Maybe your different visions could be merged mix a bit of the industrial colours, with ruffles and throw in a bit of victoriana.. and voila you might get neo or new gothic : http://www.thefashionspot.com/forums/f49/new-gothic-28554.html ( a great thread )

Or would that go terribly against your vision ?

 

[renferme]

It depends on the company too - exactly how contemporary are they? Is their customer a fashion follower or leader. I'm only saying this because there are plently of companies that do very well out of last seasons trends.

What was last season like? Did it sell? Were the trends 'on trend' or a bit slower? Have a look. If this was the case and it worked for them it might be best to not push things too fast.....

If it didn't work then you have a good argeument for changing things.

 

[Meg]

yes i agree very much with lady muck. Look at your typical customer, are they fashion forward or are they fairly mainstream? What is their typical age/lifestyle? Granted your boss just wanted you to create a mood board, I think it's important to take these things into account, regardless.

 

[lilbabe80]

According to her, the customer is fashion forward and very trendy. The type of person that wouldn't wear anything that is out of trend or over exposed. Consequently, I would assume this customer has already moved away from the Victorian or Military trend once Spring/Summer 06 hits. What do you think? Thanks everyone!

 

[Meg]

Why don't you go to somewhere like style.com and their trendspotting for s/s 06 they are quite 'trendy mainstream' and may reinforce whaty ou are saying.

 

[lilbabe80]

I thought the same as you! So I check WWD as well as style.com and trend forecasting companies to reinforce my suggestions. But everything actually ended up going better than I thought. I asked her what her trends were and then supported my opposing claims with support from WWD and style.com. She is definitely now very open to my suggestions and is now asking me what magazines and websites I look at. Thanks everyone for the help! I'm so happy it all worked out!

 

[emi25]

But..isn't it a bit late for s/s 06? Shouldnt you be on s/s 07..??

 

[LoveMyBoots]

^ I thought the same, it's amazing how so many celebs are already gettiing freebies from the s/s collections.

My boss said that her trends were militaristic, victorian, and 1920's inspired. Aren't all things trends that are current are passing?

I would say so.