How do you use trend forecasting to inform your fashion design?

1 Step 1: Define your target market

Before you start researching trends, you need to have a clear idea of who your target market is, what their needs and preferences are, and how they respond to fashion changes. You can use market segmentation tools, such as demographics, psychographics, geographics, and behavioristics, to identify and profile your ideal customers. This will help you narrow down your focus and tailor your design to suit their expectations and lifestyles.

3 Step 3: Analyze trends and identify opportunities

Once you have gathered enough information, you need to analyze the trends and identify the ones that are relevant and appealing to your target market. You can use tools such as SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, and Porter's five forces analysis to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each trend. You should also consider the feasibility, profitability, and sustainability of each trend. You should look for gaps in the market, unmet needs, or emerging demands that you can fill with your design.

4 Step 4: Interpret trends and create your design concept

After you have selected the most promising trends, you need to interpret them and create your design concept. You can use mood boards, sketches, collages, or digital tools to visualize your ideas and express your creative vision. You should also define your design elements, such as color palette, fabric choices, silhouette, details, and embellishments. You should make sure that your design concept reflects your brand identity, values, and story.

5 Step 5: Test your design and get feedback

Before you finalize your design, you need to test it and get feedback from your target market, peers, mentors, or experts. You can use methods such as surveys, focus groups, interviews, or prototyping to evaluate your design and measure its appeal, functionality, quality, and fit. You should also compare your design with your competitors and see how it stands out or differs from them. You should use the feedback to improve your design and make it more marketable.

6 Step 6: Launch your design and monitor its performance

Finally, you need to launch your design and monitor its performance in the market. You can use channels such as online platforms, social media, e-commerce, or physical stores to showcase and sell your design. You should also use metrics such as sales, revenue, customer satisfaction, loyalty, and retention to measure the success of your design. You should also keep track of the changing trends and customer behavior and adapt your design accordingly.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?