Trends
To begin with I chose six very varied recent trends
Lidewij Edelkoort, says "trend forecasting is
much like archeology but to the future".
Quoted in trend 6 below
1. Making your own videos for the
internet/Youtube/Facebook
Making a video for Youtube or for your
Facebook page has become common for the younger generation.
2. City of Culture
The idea of boosting the economy and
cultural capital of a number of different regional cities began in 2009. The latest city to win the honour is Hull
which will be the City of Culture in 2017.
In January 2009, it was announced that then Culture Secretary Andy Burnham was considering establishing a British City of Culture prize and that
the winning city might host events such as the Turner Prize, Brit Awards, Man Booker
Prize and the Stirling Prize. Phil Redmond was invited to chair a panel set up to consider the proposal, with a
remit including deciding how often the prize should be awarded.[2] A working group was established in March and
reported in June 2009, suggesting that the designation be given to a city once
every four years starting in 2013.[3]
The working group stated in its report that the same
calendar of events, such as hosting the Brit Awards, should not be staged by
each designated City of Culture. Rather, they suggested that the events held in
the city should be decided on a case-by-case basis. The report lists possible
core events, including those run by the BBC, Sony, the Poetry Book Society, the UK Film
Council, the Tate, VisitEngland, VisitBritain, the Museums
Association, the Heritage Lottery Fund, English
Heritage, Channel 4 and the Arts Council England.[3]
3. (Harry) Pottermania
4. NAIL ART
EMBRACES TEXTURE (!)
Nail art has become a big cultural activity and it is still developing.
http://www.stylist.co.uk
When it comes to nails, there are four
looks to, ahem, nail this year: leather, fur, latex and concrete – a trend
that’s about texture as much as colour. “All of these looks will be huge,” says
founder of Wah Nails, Sharmadean Reid
5. Fashion Trend Forecasting
A beginner's guide to fashion trend forecasting with
Geraldine Wharry - See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/inspiredby/2013/05/a-beginners-guide-to-fashion-trend-forecasting.html#sthash.ANXIyH07.dpuf
Can you give us a summary of how trend forecasting
works?
Identifying a trend is a continuous effort of
compiling observations. I call it "hunting and gathering". It requires
a lot of curiosity and interest in a wide array of subjects ranging from art
and design, reaching over to science, technology, socio-economics, food as well
as travel to name a few.
Whilst gathering facts, at the root of it is also a
personal intuition and an eye for what's next, that can't be taught or
necessarily explained. Personally I'm constantly collecting ideas and images
and have built an archive over many years of designing and researching. Once I
see there is a flurry of images with one particular thread running through,
it's very easy to see this is a trend, although sometimes a single image can be
so powerful that it triggers an instant conviction.
That's also what defines the difference between
short-term forecasting and long-term forecasting which are key in the business.
With trends that are very present on Internet, in magazines, often stemming
from the streets or the catwalks, it's easy to see they might have a 1 to 2
year cycle. Whereas some trends are very forward thinking – for example the
breakthrough in scientific textiles – that they require more in-depth
investigation, risk taking as well as brain storming with experts from various
fields of research. The final element to keep in mind is that some trends are
perennial and so embedded in our common language that they never fully go away,
for example fifties fashion or military inspired clothing.
One of my favorite and iconic trend forecasters,
Lidewij Edelkoort, says "trend forecasting is much like archeology but to
the future". I really like this vision of trend forecasting as
archaeology. What she's referring to is the importance of recording
information. My interpretation of this is also how important it is for trend
forecasters to have a very good knowledge of what was designed 10 years, 40
years or over 100 years ago. Every trend has its roots somewhere in history. So
whilst you're looking forward, you're also taking into account past references.
This is something I often do when working on trend reports for key shapes or
key details. I research fashion history books, blogs, or interior design for
example and it's very interesting to see the commonalities with what's being
designed today. You realize it's one big creative loop that is constantly
growing and updating itself.
The last point I really wanted to focus on is that
everyone is following trends on the internet and curating their own self-image
today. I call it "our digital self". So for trend experts forecasters,
this is an exciting challenge. Of course we are very inspired by bloggers,
street shots and viral phenomena on the internet, but we also have to bring a
unique take on trends. I'm encouraging forecasters to take another point of
view, one that’s adventurous and exciting and to always think as influencers,
not followers.
-
See more at: http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/inspiredby/2013/05/a-beginners-guide-to-fashion-trend-forecasting.html#sthash.ANXIyH07.dpuf
6. The two-child family goes international
The two-child family has become the standard for every
nation on the planet according to world famous statistician Professor Hans
Rosting who presents a “spectacular portrait of our changing world. With seven
billion people already on our planet, we often look at the future with dread…”
But Professor Rosting shows that the problem has already been solved as the
rate of growth of children has halted at 2 billion.
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