I had to do an assignment on possible ways fashion product developers research upcoming trends for their product line, starting with their source then its translation onto the runway then streets.
Research Source: Pop Culture/ Celebrity Influences Example: The Hourglass Figure
Explain: Scroll a magazine rack at the grocery store or simply turn on a television TV, and its plain to see how incredibly consumed the world is with celebrities. Not only do they serve as a form of entertainment but they play a large influence into what society comes to believe as the social norm. Its not uncommon for kids, women and men to emulate the fashion, hair, and make-up of the stars they most admire. In the last few years much attention has been spent on on reality star Kim Kardashian, a celebrity who hadn’t done much other than possess the most curved assets, since Jennifer Lopez. The constant images of starlets with hour glass figures, with its highly accentuated hips and round back-side, has naturally become the admiration and ambition for many women.
The desire for hips and a full waist is not anything new. In the 20th century bustles and bodices symbolized health and the ability to rear a child.
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| Christian Dior, The New Look, 1947 |
Then in 1947, Christian Dior reclaimed this trend with his “New Look” collection, responding to the lift of ban on using excessive clothing fabric due to the second World War.
However, today’s fashion world is playing close attention to the influences that popular culture has on trends. As hips and curves become the admiration and ambition of women, the fashion world has taken notice.
Some styles that we have seen in response to this demand is the peplum skirt, shirt and dress. Spring and Fall 2011 Collections saw the re-emergence of the peplum. Many designer’s runway shows featured a more demure look of this style, such as Marc by Marc Jacobs.
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| Marc by Marc Jacobs, Fall/Winter 2011 Collection |
Then again for the Spring 2012, designer after designer included the peplum styling in their collections once again. However this time, the look has began to take on a more playful and exaggerated flair. Some of the designers include the likes of Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, and Nina Ricci.
This trend will likely appeal to a 25-45 year old female demographic, whom will find this look perfect to wear to work or to lunch.
Other trends other than the peplum that have been emerging in reaction to this pop culture influence, has been the use of wide belts, ribbons, corsets and other material that cinches around the waist to accentuate the hip causing an hour glass shape. Herve Leger based his Fall 2012 Collection on this method.
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| Herve Leger, Fall/Winter 2012 Collection |
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| Herve Leger, Fall/ Winter 2012 Collection |
Another method that caters to the curved hip trend is the placement of large pockets outside of the hip area that visually enhances the women’s figures similar to peplum. As seen in Richard Chai’s Love Fall 2012 Fall Collection.
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| Richard Chai's Love- 2012 Fall/Winter Collection |
