Fast Forward to Fashion’s Future

Fashion and the Future, a seminar held in the Expo Hall’s Pavilion stage, was probably the most interesting for a fashion student as myself. David Wolfe, creative director of the The Donegar Group, presented some of fashions newest trends predicted to make a huge impact on the industry in the years to come. The most prominent of these trends was the idea of the “Future” and the incorporation of technology in fashion. Some key trends mentioned were the use of metallic’s all year round along with newer materials such as plastic, color as the new black, and new techno accessories such as rechargeable electroluminescent sneakers and mood color changing dresses. In addition there was a focus on a different demographic. It’s been clear that for the past few decades there has been a very large focus on the youth, typically ages 18-35, but now the attention is on what retailers call “Generation Exit” consisting 85+ and 60’s-70’s. This being that it’s the older generations that have the money these days and are willing to spend more on quality fashion. Because of this many of the trends and styles predicted for next year, instead of being “age appropriate”, were now “ageless appropriate.” This is evident in lowered hemlines and asymmetrical hemlines, full skirts, and lady like dresses shown all with an ultra feminine feel. There was also a great combination of cut outs and sheers for those with a bit of a risky taste, and surprisingly evening wear that was a bit more covered up, for example long sleeves, closed backs, and higher necklines.

Mr. Wolfe also made sure to incorporate interesting books and people that he had come across that relate to the idea of the future and what’s to come such as Michio Kaku’s Physics of the Future, a book revealing nearly 300 scientists new projects and their expectations of the future, and Dr. Aubrey de Grey, a man who believes that death is a curable disease and that a child will be born sometime in the near future that will live to be the age of 500.

After the presentation I was able to meet with Mr. Wolfe; probably the most exciting thing that happened during my days at the event. Mr. Wolfe’s presentation was well versed, interesting, and entertaining and gave a riveting insight on what’s to come in the near future in the fashion industry and how the marriage of technology and fashion will play a very large role in the years to come.