Trend Forecasting

Fashion throughout the world is somewhat predictable. To a certain extent. And because of this, we have trend forecasting companies to thank for figuring out what's going to be the next hot thing. I now have quite an idea of some trends that will be coming up for fall and winter 2013, as they are generally made about two years in advance. Visiting three main forecasting companies here in Paris, it has been interesting to compare what one company has predicted to happen compared to another, although the similarities are sure to be the top trends, ranging from soft colors to bright patterns.

Page from a Nelly Rodi womenswear trend book

Slide from a Nelly Rodi trend video

For anyone that is not completely sure what a forecasting company does, well it's pretty much just like the name. They predict upcoming trends from short to long-term, as fashion often works in cycles. These companies have experts that research the trends in specific countries based on art, architecture, music, movies, basically anything can inspire the trends. These experts heavily rely on their intuition to make these predictions. The trends and ideas are reported back to the office, where they are translated into mood boards, videos, and eventually a trend book done by highly talented graphic and fashion designers.

Nelly Rodi is the first trend lab that I attended, focusing on fashion, beauty, and lifestyle since 1985. This is a company of about 35 employees in Paris, 70 experts researching trends, and 30 agents in 23 other countries specializes in publications containing the trends, as well as consulting with companies.  These publications include colors, inspiring photos, and of course textiles and fabrics.  At the consulting meetings, advice is given to a company regarding behavior studies, product development, and other areas they may want help in. Some major companies Nelly Rodi works with are Nivea, Sony, Samsung, and L'Oreal Paris. And no wonder these companies are working with Nelly Rodi, as it was named the "leader of trend agencies," by Le Figaro Magazine.

After Nelly Rodi, I visited Trend Union, where I even received my own trend book to keep! The trend video shown here was incredible and as most trend forecasting companies seem to be, this place was beautifully decorated. A photography exhibit was even being displayed upstairs, focusing on the crisis on Japan.

Inside Trend Union