Friday, November 20, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Fiber - Yarn - Fabric
Apparel
- With the current economic conditions, consumers want the easiest, most time effective clothing to take care of.
- ExOfficio and many other brands have created stretchable “moisture-wicking” apparel, comprised of blends of 94 percent nylon and 6 percent spandex that are meant not only to lighten the load for packing (compression in suitcases), but are also easy to wash and fast-drying.
- US consumers have become more label-conscious in terms of their clothing and footwear during recent years. Although more consumers are seeking out bargains, they still want to remain fashionable, and the popularity of “cheap-chic” clothing lines continues to grow.
- To increase customer amounts, retailers are seeking to partner with prominent people to create exclusive lines of clothing products, enticing customers into specific stores in order to purchase those items. The popularity of some of these lines is linked to the growth in sales for certain stores, particularly within the department stores.
- Several factors may be motivating a new breed of consumer eager to support domestic manufacturing, There' is a sense that buying domestic helps our economy during the recession. There is also the idea of buying “heirloom-quality goods,” things that are durable and that one will own for a long time, made by people who were paid a decent wage.
- Declining prices in the clothing and footwear market is beneficial for consumers. But it is a problem for many manufacturers and retailers. In order to combat the deflationary trend, manufacturers and retailers will seek new, more innovative products that are more insulated from price deflation.
- Microfiber finishes allow for a crushed and/or wrinkled appearance that is thermochromic, antibacterial, anti-UV, light sensitive and deodorant.
- Microfiber blends are used in both “prêt-a-porter and haute couture” fashion, since these fabrics have a unique appearance and excellent physical qualities.
- With quotes from Glamour magazine stating, “Finally! Money advise just for young women” we can see that cheap and inexpensive fabrics are popular with the downturn of our economy.
- Ladies’ Home Journal also features many articles on saving money and holding on to what we currently possess. Lines such as, “Darling, I love it when you talk money to me” and “Beauty Bargains: Save big (and still look great)” are featured as main titles where we know that recyclable and reusable fibers such as 100% cotton are going to be a common trend. Any materials that are easy to remake, reuse, and reproduce are what is in style.
- Even in current and popular-culture magazines that usually focus on celebrities and glam, we see articles claiming, “Living the recession: Broken Dreams”. This common trend of the recession and the downward-spiraling economy is the most reoccurring topic among all current magazine and media announcements. This will be the basis of all of our future trends, including apparel’s style and materials.
- Style shifts from the current, idolizing celebrities and powerful women of the 40’s, to a later on inspiration. Business-chic, yet long-lasting materials. Leather and fur, as well as thick tweed and suede are used in creating these functional and fashionable items. We still see inspirations from powerful women, but they style’s are a little more modern; taken from a mix of the 50’s and the 80’s glam.
Sportswear
- Reflecting on the current technological boom is an increase in technologically advanced fabric, fiber, and yarn in sportswear.
- Microfiber fabrics will continue to gain popularity due to their easy care, that they are machine-washable and will not lose their shapes. Fabrics constructed from microbers can also be made windproof and breathable. These two qualities together imply that the fabrics prevent the smallest drops of water from entering while allowing the water vapor from perspiration to pass through. These properties result in these fabrics maintaining an even body temperature in all types of weather conditions.
- New garments including a Heart Sensing Sports Bra, Cardio Shirt for Men, and Racer Tank offer seamless comfort combined with superior monitoring performance. They sense heart rate through stretchy “fabric electrodes” that are knit directly into the fabric, and send that data to a compatible wrist watch or cardio machine via a tiny transmitter that is snapped into a pocket in the garment.
- ExOfficio and many other brands are pioneering the technology to fully integrate insect-repellant technology into apparel lines, including shirts, hats, bandanas and socks. These insect-repellant clothing items are also UV resistant.
- Stretchy and expandable fabrics are great for long-time use in sportswear as well. The stronger the material, the less the consumer will need to replace their purchases in the midst of this rough economy.
Interior
- Just like in sportswear, and everyday apparel, product-enhancing finishes are going to be the basis of our interior decorating. Anything to make the consumer’s purchase as worthy and long lasting as possible will be key. Finishes on furniture that are stain and wear resisting will be very popular in a money-saving environment.
- With the current economic conditions, consumers want the easiest, most time effective clothing to take care of.
- ExOfficio and many other brands have created stretchable “moisture-wicking” apparel, comprised of blends of 94 percent nylon and 6 percent spandex that are meant not only to lighten the load for packing (compression in suitcases), but are also easy to wash and fast-drying.
- US consumers have become more label-conscious in terms of their clothing and footwear during recent years. Although more consumers are seeking out bargains, they still want to remain fashionable, and the popularity of “cheap-chic” clothing lines continues to grow.
- To increase customer amounts, retailers are seeking to partner with prominent people to create exclusive lines of clothing products, enticing customers into specific stores in order to purchase those items. The popularity of some of these lines is linked to the growth in sales for certain stores, particularly within the department stores.
- Several factors may be motivating a new breed of consumer eager to support domestic manufacturing, There' is a sense that buying domestic helps our economy during the recession. There is also the idea of buying “heirloom-quality goods,” things that are durable and that one will own for a long time, made by people who were paid a decent wage.
- Declining prices in the clothing and footwear market is beneficial for consumers. But it is a problem for many manufacturers and retailers. In order to combat the deflationary trend, manufacturers and retailers will seek new, more innovative products that are more insulated from price deflation.- Microfiber finishes allow for a crushed and/or wrinkled appearance that is thermochromic, antibacterial, anti-UV, light sensitive and deodorant.
- Microfiber blends are used in both “prêt-a-porter and haute couture” fashion, since these fabrics have a unique appearance and excellent physical qualities.
- With quotes from Glamour magazine stating, “Finally! Money advise just for young women” we can see that cheap and inexpensive fabrics are popular with the downturn of our economy.
- Ladies’ Home Journal also features many articles on saving money and holding on to what we currently possess. Lines such as, “Darling, I love it when you talk money to me” and “Beauty Bargains: Save big (and still look great)” are featured as main titles where we know that recyclable and reusable fibers such as 100% cotton are going to be a common trend. Any materials that are easy to remake, reuse, and reproduce are what is in style.
- Even in current and popular-culture magazines that usually focus on celebrities and glam, we see articles claiming, “Living the recession: Broken Dreams”. This common trend of the recession and the downward-spiraling economy is the most reoccurring topic among all current magazine and media announcements. This will be the basis of all of our future trends, including apparel’s style and materials.
- Style shifts from the current, idolizing celebrities and powerful women of the 40’s, to a later on inspiration. Business-chic, yet long-lasting materials. Leather and fur, as well as thick tweed and suede are used in creating these functional and fashionable items. We still see inspirations from powerful women, but they style’s are a little more modern; taken from a mix of the 50’s and the 80’s glam.
Sportswear
- Reflecting on the current technological boom is an increase in technologically advanced fabric, fiber, and yarn in sportswear.
- Microfiber fabrics will continue to gain popularity due to their easy care, that they are machine-washable and will not lose their shapes. Fabrics constructed from microbers can also be made windproof and breathable. These two qualities together imply that the fabrics prevent the smallest drops of water from entering while allowing the water vapor from perspiration to pass through. These properties result in these fabrics maintaining an even body temperature in all types of weather conditions.
- New garments including a Heart Sensing Sports Bra, Cardio Shirt for Men, and Racer Tank offer seamless comfort combined with superior monitoring performance. They sense heart rate through stretchy “fabric electrodes” that are knit directly into the fabric, and send that data to a compatible wrist watch or cardio machine via a tiny transmitter that is snapped into a pocket in the garment.
- ExOfficio and many other brands are pioneering the technology to fully integrate insect-repellant technology into apparel lines, including shirts, hats, bandanas and socks. These insect-repellant clothing items are also UV resistant.- Stretchy and expandable fabrics are great for long-time use in sportswear as well. The stronger the material, the less the consumer will need to replace their purchases in the midst of this rough economy.
Interior
- Just like in sportswear, and everyday apparel, product-enhancing finishes are going to be the basis of our interior decorating. Anything to make the consumer’s purchase as worthy and long lasting as possible will be key. Finishes on furniture that are stain and wear resisting will be very popular in a money-saving environment.
Prints - Patterns - Graphics
Apparel- As a trend on the runways for spring 2010 ready-to-wear collections, vogue has pointed out (and we agree) that neutral tones and patterns will gain popularity and be a full blown trend by 2012. Neutral tones were features in such collections as: Calvin Klein, Donna Karen, Carolina Herrera, Chanel, and Michael Kors.
- As we move into the digital age, developments in digital printing of paper are being adapted more and more for the textile market. Inkjet textile printing is growing while growth in analog textile printing remains inactive. As digital print technologies improve offering faster production and larger cost-effective print runs, digital printing will grow to become the technology that provides the majority of the world’s printed textiles.
- In jewelry, small, dainty, and classy are popular trends. Earthy and natural tones are reoccurring, especially blues and ocean-inspired colors. Gold paired with a solid blue is special, and pretty, yet not too flashy or overwhelming. “Simple, subtle jewelry never goes out of style.”- Durable and long lasting materials such as hard leather or industrial accessories add to bags, tops, and jeans to leave a lasting impression. The color blue, again, extremely popular and eye-catching, brings an interesting element.
- We saw many patterns of leather appearing in popularity, such as snakeskin and chevron-shaped prints; all in neutral color schemes and tones. Different gradients of naturals and nature inspired patterns are very reoccurring in both apparel and accessories. Browns, creams, and rusts are the most commonly colored patterns and prints.
Interior- Screen prints are becoming popular for home décor in lamps, pillows, and even pieces of furniture adding a new and interesting touch to everyday items. Inspirations from things in nature, such as animals and plants, are seen literally screen-printed on to pieces of interior decoration.
- In home interior fabric patterns, our research showed us many varieties of (again) nature-inspired, earthy, and neutral graphics. Prints of dandelions, mimosa vines, and simple shaped patterns are compiled to create simplicity and class.
- This same idea of taking something you already have and making it new again, is reoccurring in interior as well as apparel. Ads from Houebeautiful show us popularity in patchwork prints. Patterns out of a combination of several different printed fabrics make a refreshed new look in any home interior.
- Another common interior trend includes printed rugs. Paisley inspired patterns in tonal colors, still neutral and not flashy, are popular. Adding warmth and focus pieces to your home interior is important.
- One new and cool idea seen in home trends is wallpaper inspired by sky-themed photos. This interesting idea makes an everyday thing unique and unusual; a cool new way to spice up your walls.
- Also in popular pattern forecasting, there is an abundance of small printed fabrics. Yes, items with prints will still be popular, but their graphics will be of a smaller scale.
- Bringing the outside environment inside to your home is important in these earth-based trends. Turquoise, blue, and green-patterned walls, rugs, and furniture pieces are popular. Blue is also a calming color, which will be popular in a financially stressful time.
Resources
http://www.apparelmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=CD746117C0BB4828857A1831CE707DBE&tier=4&id=CC179BFE7A2C400BA8FE72B1F391D4BC
http://apparelmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=CD746117C0BB4828857A1831CE707DBE&tier=4&id=5E476C10183543FE90BED86A5BB5BFC0
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/fashion/article-23755803-digital-prints-have-the-wow-factor.do
http://www.apparelsearch.com/technology_innovation_clothing.htm
http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2684/PORTAL/Magazines/Consumers.aspx
http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Trend-Reports/Trend-Report-Shades-of-Blue
http://www.style.com/vogue/guide/S2010RTW/
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2009-spring-summer/090428-optical-prints.aspx#
http://apparelmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=MultiPublishing&mod=PublishingTitles&mid=CD746117C0BB4828857A1831CE707DBE&tier=4&id=5E476C10183543FE90BED86A5BB5BFC0
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/fashion/article-23755803-digital-prints-have-the-wow-factor.do
http://www.apparelsearch.com/technology_innovation_clothing.htm
http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2684/PORTAL/Magazines/Consumers.aspx
http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Trend-Reports/Trend-Report-Shades-of-Blue
http://www.style.com/vogue/guide/S2010RTW/
http://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/trends/2009-spring-summer/090428-optical-prints.aspx#
http://ntserver1.wsulibs.wsu.edu:2684/PORTAL/Magazines/Consumers.aspx
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