Here are the Biggest Up-And-Coming Trends of the Season
A data-backed approach at identifying micro-trends in fashion’s biggest runway collections.
As a self-proclaimed minimalist, analyzing high-fashion collections offers me the opportunity to identify what staple trends are consistent across runways, regardless of the designer.
For instance, the midi length dress has been alive and well for a couple of seasons now, most recently seen in 71% of McQueen’s, 38% of Prada’s, and ~20% of Chanel’s and Jacquemus’ collections.
This data-backed way of determining fashion’s timeless and consistent trends can offer insight into what pieces you should be investing, and what will live on from this season to the next.
The opposite approach, of course, is to identify trends that make up a statistically less significant portion of a collection—say, no more than 10%. These micro-trends dance around the periphery of large, high-fashion collections, documented solely by data telling us they were, though imperceptibly, there.
So, let’s dive into the top micro-trends of the Spring / Summer 2021 season, as told by my latest software-identified-fashion-trends report, The Little Book of Big Fashion Data:
Casual Balenciaga
A sub-section of Balenciaga’s ready-to-wear looks this season contained casual-yet-high-fashion trends. Specifically, ~7% of the collection rocked sweatpants, ~9% wore graphic tees, and ~3% showed athletic suits: a matching pair of sweat-jackets and pants.
My favorite micro-trend at Balenciaga this season, however, was the phone holders; smartphone cases attached to lanyards hung around the neck, seen on ~7% of the runway.
Blue at Burberry
Straying from the brand’s signature plaid and earth-toned, camel-and-beige palette, creative director Riccardo Tisci found inspiration underwater for his latest Burberry collection. So, right on theme, some (~7%, to be exact) of the outfits that walked down the runway were entirely the color blue; monochromatic and “underwater” from head to toe.
Cold Chanel
An interesting choice for the warmer, spring and summer months, ~6% of Chanel’s runway looks saw models wearing a layered set of not one, but two jackets.
Futuristic Fendi
Created in collaboration with female-founded accessories label, Chaos, tech-charms—like smart watch faces, ear buds, and smart phones—latched onto and hanging from waist belts were seen in ~5% of Fendi’s latest collection.
Statements at Saint-Laurent
Hidden within an otherwise predominantly classic, monochrome collection, polka-dotted tights made an appearance in ~9% of Saint Laurent’s looks this season.
I’m a NYC-based software engineer researching all-things fashion-tech. My roots are in Spain & Cuba. Read more of my stuff here, or check out my pride and joy, “The Little Book of Big Fashion Data”.
