A new sourcing season has begun, and versatility, home comforts and work/life balance remain key drivers in fabric design and innovation.
“They’re still looking at very tactile and soothing materials,” Helen Palmer, WGSN head of materials, knits and textiles, said of consumers entering their third year of living in a global pandemic. “We’re also looking at this idea that garments need to benefit [the wearer] whether they’re staying at home to going outdoors.” Cotton Tencel Lyocell Fabric
Indeed, designers and brands are charged with the task to not only provide everyday comfort in the fabrics and garments they make, but also provide added value—be it weather protection, antimicrobial properties, sustainability, or durability. In other cases, a fabric that provides a sense of comforting familiarity and nostalgia is enough.
In an Informa Markets Fashion webinar, Palmer described how these factors are influencing Fall/Winter 22-23 and Spring/Summer 2023 apparel sourcing trends and how they fit into three “big ideas” for the season.
Linked to the outdoors and protection, Cabincore underscores the need for fabrics that keep the wearer both warm and cool, as well as modular designs that promote a zero-waste approach.
TR Series “This is where performance and technical fabrics need to lean towards natural fibers,” Palmer said.