Fashion and colour trends

Colour forecasting and trend spotting go hand in hand. Colourists, fashion coordinators and consultants are much like weather forecasters who read various signs to give a picture of what the weather will bring us tomorrow or over the weekend. Forecasting colour is very similar except there are many more signs to read and the time span is much longer. The predictions and forecasts should prepare manufacturers to apply the correct colours to textiles. Retailers can then stock the products in the colours that the customer will want to buy.

 

Colour moods move in cycles. Back in the 1950s it could take seven years for colours to start at the top level and peter out at mail order. Now it takes only two to three years for colours to saturate the market place. Generally forecasting starts two years ahead of the selling season but if a colourist is keeping on top of his/her job they will be working in three seasons at a time.