TRENDS FORECAST 2015 - Part I

We have looked into our crystal ball and spotted a few trends we feel will dominate the runways and fashion magazines this year as well as one or two trends we feel will influence the way we live in 2015.  Today we highlight the first two trends in our series - both of them drawing inspiration from the past.

1970s inspiration – a focus on craftwork                                

2015 will display a throwback to 1970s inspired fashion. We will be seeing typical 70s inspired fashion with a twist: high-waisted pants and skirts (as well as a great focus on the waist in general), more flair in the leg of pants and roomy denims. This will filter down into hair, which will be much wilder (imagine a 70s music festival) and make-up being more natural, a barely-there look with dewy skin – a very late 70s trend. Fabrics will include heavy use of leather and suede as well as denims with embellishments. This will bring creativity to the fore, with more DIY elements to individualize fashion.

The type of fabric used will be crucial in creating the
70s silhouette and will include knitwear (left) and suede (right)

There will also be a specific focus on hand-crafted elements: tassels, beading and techniques such as macrame and appliqué. Knitting and knitted detailing will come forward again.  We are already seeing this from international fashion houses like Miu Miu and Pucci. This trend is a follow on from the obsession we have with recycling and our ecological awareness and has resulted in our desire to return to natural materials and crafting. SA designer, Anmari Honibal’s latest collection highlights this trend in a very clear way.  Her dresses are decorated with pieces of fabric resembling play-clay.  

Crafting and the addition of embellishments will be very
important.  Pucci's Spring/Summer 2015 collection (above)
shows a clear 70s influence in terms of crafting and fabric while the
latest print ads from Miu Miu show knitted detailing that looks
hand-made.

The crafting element will also have a modern twist as seen
in the latest collections (from left) Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton
and SA designer Anmari Honibal

The Way We Were

Technology has done much to make our lives easier and free up time but how many times do you still hear someone say “I don’t have enough hours in the day to do everything?” More and more people are reacting against this concept and looking for a bit of “time out”.  They are wistfully looking back to a time when things were slower and less stressful.  A big trend for 2015 will be the appreciation of times gone by;  whether its architecture, cultural heritage or retro clothing, we will want more of it and we will want to wear more of it.  

Bordering on costume-retro. The trend we are calling "The Way We Were"
is more concerned with a yearning for the simplicity past as opposed to
giving up on technology entirely.

Groups like the guys from Khumbula (a group of artistic creatives, including the Namibian fashion designer Lourens Gerbhart, who all look like they have been dressed by their grandfathers from the 50s) will become extremely influential. While we won't totally discard technology, it will return to a place of life enhancement as opposed to total encroachment. We feel this trend will be more a lifestyle trend in that we will start to appreciate vintage pieces more - and not just clothing but decor pieces and art.

The personal style of Lourens Gerbhart
is very indicative of this trend.

Taking a break from the stressful corporate lives we all lead
will be highly prized - even if it is to merely catch up on
the latest news before we head back to the laptop, iPad and
time-obsessed world.