Fashion Forecaster

Who dictates what will be in style: the customers, or the industry?

Asked by Graycellgreen over 11 years ago

Both. We take pictures all over the world in clubs on the streets and at festivals and definitely get a lot of inspiration from that, but sometimes it's just some crazy idea that pops up at 4am and won't get out of your head. Granted, it may seem like a crazy idea but after doing months of research it usually has legs to stand on.

How do you know what will be trendy in 2 years? Are you ever wrong?

Asked by Alicea gal... over 11 years ago

Well, it's just an educated guess but you can usually follow cultural movements by seeing what's going on in politics, art, finances, music, on and on and then create a pretty succinct story behind it. After researching all over the world the team usually starts to get a pretty solid handle on where we think things will go and then it's a bit of a self fulfilled prophecy because we then meet with companies globally to present the ideas. I guess I don't check much if we were wrong because we are usually just the inspiration for the designers and then they need to curtail the research to their customer.

What country is the most fashion-forward?

Asked by jasmine over 11 years ago

As far as being trendy I would say the Japanese take the biggest risks (Tokyo specifically) and then London and then New York.

Do fashion forecasters ever get hired by designers or clothing brands to help them decide what to focus on next?

Asked by Heather Fine over 11 years ago

Definitely, it's usually mid level designers/brands (Gap, Levi's, etc) that have fashion forecasters on their team or hire freelancers to help them. When you get into the more designer level the title changes to Creative director, which essentially is a similar role.

Are people in the fashion world as mean as those portrayed in The Devil Wears Prada?

Asked by ilovemyjobilovemyjob... over 11 years ago

More in the editorial and pr fashion side than in trend. Usually the creative side is much nicer. But yes, of course that movie was a bit exaggerated but not too far off the mark. My first internship was at a magazine.

Do you feel compelled to dress über-fashionably when in public, given what you do?

Asked by The Stace over 11 years ago

Not really, I mostly dress for my mood. I wear a lot of jeans but I do like getting dressed up sometimes -- mostly for client meetings or going out.

Do all your friends come to you for fashion advice? Do you like it, or does it get annoying?

Asked by Doreen_87 over 11 years ago

Some do, and no it doesn't get annoying. I'm happy to help with fashion as they have had to help me with budgets! Most of my friends have their own styles that they rock so they don't really ask as much now as when we were younger.

What fashion designers do you think are really overrated?

Asked by Fall out girl :))) over 11 years ago

Hmmm, I can kind of appreciate most designers in some way or another even if I don't particularly like their work. The exception would be celebrity designers which rarely actually design their own things and are usually horrible in my opinion.

Are there any fashion brands that are so powerful that they can actually dictate fashion trends? Like if Levi's decided black jeans would be all the rage in 2014 and put all their muscle behind it, would it happen?

Asked by ~Sara~ over 11 years ago

Sometimes, but mostly I would say it usually starts from higher up the chain, at designer level. Maje started a huge trend with their leather sleeves a few years back which is still going on at lower levels like Zara. Acne, Alexander Wang, Alexander McQueen, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, and Isabel Marant are a few of the designers I see that can really hook a trend and get a good following on it. And then it usually dissipates down to high street brands.

what is the next coming new formal dress-up for Professionals.

Asked by harishp9211 over 11 years ago

I usually work 2 years out so I don't pay that much attention to the season we are in. That being said I think corduroy and velvet suits will important. Sixties plaids pencil skirts and turtle necks. Dark greens and maroons are good trend colors for the season.

Who do you work for: freelance, an apparel company, or what?

Asked by gallacity over 11 years ago

When I lived in New York, I worked for a textile company and now that I am in Paris I'm freelancing for different trend agencies, but I have an interview today to work for an accessories company full time... so we'll see!

I graduate in May and am leaning toward the fashion industry. My question is, do I HAVE to be in New York, Paris, Milan to be in the fashion industry, or are there other cities where I can do so?

Asked by bella belle... over 11 years ago

No, not necessarily, there are just a lot more options for jobs in those cities. It also depends a lot on if you are going into design, forecasting, buying, etc. I would research the companies you want to work for and see where they are located. There are a bunch of denim companies in LA, sportswear companies in the Northwest US, a few big brands in the Midwest. As far as forecasting I would be shocked if you got a job anywhere but NYC, London or Paris. There are a few but literally only a handful in other locations.

What's your absolute favorite article of clothing you own?

Asked by Doreen_87 over 11 years ago

right now probably my vintage coyote fur coat

how do we forecast for a trends in fashion?

Asked by Rashmi Rajan almost 11 years ago

hire a trendforecaster!

What's an example of a recent major fashion trend that you DIDN'T see coming?

Asked by Melanie (Seattle) over 11 years ago

the one thing that comes to mind is the crazy colored hair trend. never saw that one coming. i don't focus on beauty but am still amazed that lara stone has blue hair in vogue. also i am sometimes surprised how long some trends will stick around. like skinny jeans or the native american trend, they just don't go away. i'm surprised by that.

Hello ! Which Master do we have to take to become a fashion forecaster ? Do you know if any schools in Paris do this program ? Thank you

Asked by Meryemlag about 10 years ago

I didn't get a masters nor do I think it's a prerequisite for getting into forecasting.  I guess if you want to get a masters more learning is never a bad thing.  I don't know of any masters programs in fashion. 

Do outfits worn by celebrities at events like the Oscars and Emmys have a lasting effect on fashion trends?

Asked by Hooknows about 11 years ago

Definitely the colors and beauty are usually important. Sometimes the dresses for say wedding/prom industry are important but since most of us aren't wearing anything that fancy very often I think it's mostly color and beauty that take note.

how can we write an article on fashion trends or styling?

Asked by Rashmi Rajan almost 11 years ago

This is a pretty vague question, but I guess the basic answer is do pick a subject, do research and then write.

Do you ever have to pay for clothing? Or can you get most of the stuff you want for free at this point?

Asked by Skye Fall over 11 years ago

When I worked at an agency we had racks and racks of clothes so mostly I would just borrow things and bring them back. And yes I got a lot of free clothes. Now that I am freelance, that is not the case.

I did my undergrad in Textile Designing. I aspire to become a Forecaster. I want to study more. what kind of courses should i consider for my higher studies?

Asked by Pooja over 10 years ago

I think you could do a variety of things, history, especially history of costume, sociology, pschycology of color- I guess it also depends on what school you are looking at and what is offered.  But I don't know that you would necessarily need it to do forecasting because a lot of people transition from design backgrounds and others learn a lot of it interning or working on the job.  You could also specify according to what type of segment you are interested in, for example you like interiors so go that route.

How I want your job! I have a degree in marketing, am currently temping as a receptionist, and maintain a little fashion blog no one's ever heard of. How do I get into fashion forecasting? (Thanks!)

Asked by Kelsey over 11 years ago

It's tough to get into just because there are really very few jobs. I sort of accidentally fell into it through an internship that my professor pushed me to take and ended up loving it. I would say an internship is the best way because there is a lot of competition and you will learn the business and get contacts that way. Also, remember the grass is always greener. It is an amazing job but being on the road for 3 weeks at a time giving hundreds of presentations to sometimes 300 people, eating millions of meals alone and dragging hundreds of pounds of samples around the world is a lot less glamorous than it sounds. Like with any job, there are good and bad things.

I am a Fashion Student who is not sure which field to major in to be a fashion forecaster? What did you do? I already have a certification in Liberal Arts, and Fashion Buying and Management?

Asked by VzSam619 almost 11 years ago

I did a double major in fashion merchandising and product development but there is no formula.  History, Sociology, Marketing are all good classes to be taking.  I think its more important to do an internship and make contacts than to go for more school.

Thanks for your answer ! Could you tell us more about your career? How did you become a fashion forecaster ?

Asked by Meryemlag about 10 years ago

I double majored in Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Design and then did an internship in forecasting and that's how I got the job.  Interning at a trend agency is a great place to start.

Who decides trends and how are trends decided?

Asked by Lucy over 6 years ago

What are key things that are considered when forecasting up coming fashion trends?

Asked by mierullo1003 almost 5 years ago