As the fashion industry knuckles down to another year of top sellers and big headlines, we thought it’s time to share some of our closely guarded insights for the year ahead. Here’s the top ten movers and shakers for 2013 – act on them now and you won’t be sorry! Happy New Year!
1. Offline & online get inline
2013 had better be the straw that breaks the camel’s back when it comes to digital shyness. More retailers and brands will be blending the offline/online disconnect and that’s crucial because in 2013 in-store purchases will be more influenced by mobile devices than store assistants. The driving forces for the seamless merge will come from platforms like Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram, with a huge focus on user-generated content.
2. Retro repro
If you’re scratching your noodle about which trend to add to your collection for 2013, listen up and go retro. The SS13 shows were packed to the rafters with 60s and 70s references, receiving backing from the world’s most influential designers. Building hype for the trend is season six of Mad Men coming to screens in Spring, a Lichtenstein retrospective at the Tate Modern in February and a 50s and 60s Brit rock expo at London’s V&A in October. We don’t need to wait for the AW13/14 shows to know this is trend with real momentum; consumer sentiment for all things vintage and retro has been solidly sky-high for several months. In fact, in December alone there were 124,592 influential online mentions of retro.
3. Royal babe
Don’t bin the bunting, 2012’s Regal obsession isn’t out of sight just yet. The delectable HRH K-Mid has reignited intrigue with news the royal couple are expecting. Queue some serious baby cooing July-time. Brands and retailers will cash in with infant ranges and prominent merchandising as we go dotty for all things pint-sized.
4. The place to be
In 2013, let’s go to San Francisco, where the flowers grow. And even if you’re not one of San Fran’s free spirits, you’d still be wise to drop in, given that Lonely Planet voted the city as 2013’s best place to visit. It also happens to be a digital hotspot and where there’s geeks, there’s good coffee. If SF is a bit far but you like your travel hip, why not hit Croatia? With their joining the European Union this year, we expect to see the travel destination’s popularity boom.
5. Metallic taste
The space theme which landed on planet fashion during the SS13 shows went for high-impact shine and we’re expecting the high street to follow. Sci-fi fascination will be maxed with 2013 being the 50th anniversary of Dr Who. Celebrations will be unmissable according to the showrunner, Steven Moffat, who claims he will be “taking over television”. Leave him to TV and let your own takeover be of the wardrobe. Follow Burberry’s lead with sweet-wrapper technicolor or parade the classic metal tones; it’s all in for 2013.
6. Ornamentation
In 2012 studs whet appetites for all things bejewelled and for 2013 we’re getting lavishly baroque. Blame the bling on the timing of the (delayed) Great Gatsby and Anna Karenina releases. Ornamentation in the form of pearls, all-over sequins, bold beading and angular paillettes will be smattered across all forms. With menswear taking a feminine twist, be sure not to leave the boys out either.
7. 2013’s colours
According to Pantone, 2013 is the year of emerald, and having sighted it on the SS13 catwalks of Burberry, Gucci and Sportmax, we’re inclined to agree. Also pulling their weight in the year ahead will be sunshine yellow, electric blue, head to toe whites and striking monochrome.
8. Safari boys
With luxury menswear creating more of a stir than ever before, it’s no surprise that a menswear trend makes it into the year’s top 10. Safari influence was everywhere for SS13 shows, with the safari jacket appearing in nearly every menswear show. The trend saw backing from top menswear dogs, Louis Vuitton, and is propped up by the trend for menswear florals. Trust us, the safari trend will move from the wilderness to the mainstream in 2013.
9. Roman revival
The British Museum started selling out of their ‘Life & Death in Pompeii & Herculaneum’ exhibition six months ahead of its opening date of 28th March. Artefacts from the famed eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 will form the exhibit of the year and no doubt get fashion inspiration juices flowing. Think toga styled draping, hammered gold jewellery and acres of white.
10. Eyes on Wang
Balenciaga knew what they were playing at when they scooped up the 28 year old hype-machine that is Alexander Wang to be their new Creative Director. It’ll be all eyes on his first collection for the brand in its 99th year, picking up where Nicolas Ghesquière left off. Bringing his street-savvy and coolster pals, we’re preempting some mass-appeal. And a few late nights for Wang as he also works on his own line and diffusion, T by Alexander Wang. Cripes!
Katie Smith
