From The Simpsons casted as Balenciaga’s new muses (move over Kim and Kanye) to a Fendace collaboration, Spring 2022 was one for the books. For the first time since the pandemic, fashion month was back in a big way with majority-in-person shows and packed with innovations dictating where retailers need to invest next.
Runways might have seemed business-as-usual. However, COVID-19 has overhauled traditional retail processes, underscoring reliance on technology. The ever-changing landscape coupled with supply chain challenges means businesses need to be more agile and reactive than ever. Retail professionals can no longer afford to spend countless hours dissecting collections to pinpoint the most successful trends or manually comparing prices.
Enter the EDITED Market Intelligence to help you digitally plan and prepare for Spring 2022 and beyond. Our talented team of in-house Analysts reviews every look from the runway and applies their expert knowledge of what’s working commercially for shapes, colors, patterns, fabrics and details across core categories – so you know where your budget is best spent every time for maximum ROI.
Keep reading for the approved trends to range and get in touch for a demo on planning a fail-safe spring assortment.
Prep school
From “ladies who lunch” skirt suits at Moschino, American baseball at BOSS x Russell Athletic and grungy checks at Coach, Spring 2022’s iteration of the preppy trend is multifaceted with major commercial appeal. The mini skirt or short set surfaced as a hero piece, while collegiate crests and branding will be key details for outerwear, tops and knitwear. Retailers can feel confident in betting on preppy’s ubiquitous patterns for future collections. Checks and plaids make up 10% of patterns arriving new and selling out this year, up from 6% in 2020. Coordinate this look with footwear buys through chunky loafers and evergreen white sneakers.
Images via Andrea Pompilio Spring 2022; BOSS x Russell Athletic Fall 2022; Brunello Cucinelli Spring 2022
Images via Coach Spring 2022; Helen Anthony Spring 2022; Tanya Taylor Spring 2022
Unapologetically sexy
A story going from strength to strength, bodycon fits, multi-straps and ultra-sheer fabrics were ever-present across runways. Bodices were incorporated into dresses for additional sex appeal, sustaining the 21st-century revival of the corset. Sky-high slits, asymmetrical details and textured fabrics were the Milanese take on the trend. Cut-out dresses have been a proven success story, experiencing a 193% YoY increase in investment at a mass retail level. However, for the more trend-driven retailer, the sheer dress was cemented as a key directional buy for Spring 2022 partywear assortments.
Images via Aadnevik Spring 2022; Balmain Spring 2022; Bronx and Banco Spring 2022
Images via Lanvin Spring 2022; Missoni Spring 2022; Saint Laurent Spring 2022
Dopamine dressing
Happy hues at New York Fashion Week set the tone for Spring 2022 palettes, with colors including hot pink, blazing orange, egg yolk yellow, fire engine red and zesty oranges. Rainbow and smiley face motifs were championed by Alice + Olivia, Collina Strada and Nicole Miller. In Milan, Versace gave a masterclass in color-blocking with tangerine, hot pink and lime green tones, while Moschino delighted in childlike graphics – reminiscent of baby blankets.
Images via Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet Spring 2022; Collina Strada Spring 2022; Moschino Spring 2022
Images via Nicole Miller Spring 2022; Rejina Pyo Spring 2022; Versace Spring 2022
The primary palette shows every instance of color on the Fall 2021 runways for womenswear across New York, London, Milan, Paris, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin while the secondary palette shows the key color stories within.
Our image recognition software detects the color of every product online so retailers have full visibility of the seasonal hues to invest in. Reach out to see our color wheel in action.
Through the decades
Once again, designers looked to the past to inform the new, showcasing a timewarp of eras. The Y2K revival was confirmed for future seasons, with low-slung denim, butterfly patterns and micro-mini skirts emerging as assortment essentials. Another prominent decade of influence, earthy browns and nods to Studio 54 from the 70s were noted across Fendi. Footwear and accessories are an easy buy-in to this trend, with the catwalk approving headscarves, cowboy hats, platform shoes and tinted sunglasses.
Images via Blumarine Spring 2022; Des Phemmes Spring 2022; Fabiana Filippi Spring 2022
Images via Fendi Spring 2022; KNWLS Spring 2022; Versace Spring 2022
A return to minimalism
Understated looks have been quietly bubbling up for several seasons now. For fall, neutral hues topped arrivals as the most-invested color excluding black and white, while solid colors outsold prints 75% to 25%. With substantial backing on the Spring 2022 runways, minimalism is poised for its long awaited comeback. Refined silhouettes, timeless tailoring and neutral hues were prominent at Jil Sander, while Prada provided a palette cleanser amongst an equally prevalent line-up of maximalist occasionwear trends.
Images via Christian Siriano Spring 2022; Fendi Spring 2022; Jil Sander Spring 2022
Images via Maison Rabih Kayrouz Spring 2022; Michael Kors Spring 2022; Prada Spring 2022
Creature comforts
While homewear saw a drastic decline on the catwalk this season, many designers chose to continue catering to the newfound loungewear consumer. Cozy knitted co-ords of crop top and trouser sets were the design of choice, with green and blue tones most popular. Space-dye emerged as an essential update, tapping into the psychedelic theme. Tactile textures were applied to essentials like longline coats and oversized cardigans, while voluminous faux furs can work for transeasonal drops.
Images via Balenciaga Spring 2022; Eleventy Spring 2022; Fendi Spring 2022
Images via Jonathan Simkhai Spring 2022; Marco Rambaldi Spring 2022; N21 Spring 2022
BRB, on vacay
Continuing last year’s boom, swimwear was a highlight of several collections, with cult designers like Rejina Pyo and Rixo drawing inspiration from past travels. Picking up where the Fall 2021 shows left off, escapism remains a powerful influence in the wake of COVID. This season, sarong skirts, tropical patterns, sun-safe headwear and natural bags informed the theme, providing plenty of inspiration for Spring 2022 range plans. Piggybacking off this trend, nautical inspirations were evident with Breton stripes, netted fabrics, statement shell prints, white sailor collars and palettes of red, white and navy.
Images via Dur Doux Spring 2022; Fendi by Versace Spring 2022; Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini Spring 2022
Images via Rixo Spring 2022; Temperley London Spring 2022; Vivienne Westwood Spring 2022
A time to celebrate
Demand for post-vaccine partywear reached a fever pitch, with designers championing flamboyant tulle, sequins and metallics for future occasionwear. As an amalgamation of several other core aesthetics, this trend has mass appeal. Dopamine dressing through bold colors and voluminous shapes as seen at Act n°1 and Roberto Cavalli, and nostalgic micro mini clubbing sets at Fendi by Versace.
Images via Act n°1 Spring 2022; Carolina Herrera Spring 2022; Ermanno Scervino Spring 2022
Images via Fendi by Versace Spring 2022; Roberto Cavalli Spring 2022; RVNH Spring 2022
The new workwear
The return to the office was a clear factor in this season’s design process, which saw suiting reappear in abundance. Straddling minimalism and comfort, relaxed fits should inform core ranges, while waistcoat suit sets are a more directional, fashion-forward option. This year, tailoring described as relaxed or casual has seen a 125% increase in investment YoY.
Images via Alejandra Alonso Rojas Spring 2022; Burberry Spring 2022; Chloé Spring 2022
Images via Etro Spring 2022; Saint Laurent Spring 2022; Valentino Spring 2022
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