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Articles by Erin Rechner
Why Nourishing Earth Tones are Gaining Ground
WGSN’s Expert Update series highlighted Nourishing Earth Tones as a trend to watch moving forward, with certain colours having more of an impact on consumers post-Covid-19. As people seek to find solace within nature to combat the affects of coronavirus, the hues found within the great outdoors help to reconnect consumers with it.
Future Makers: introducing the WGSN Mentoring Scheme
ARE YOU A FUTURE MAKER? Welcome to the WGSN Mentorship Programme On June 16, we launched the WGSN Mentorship Programme for young Black fashion designers. Following feedback, we’re opening it up to all people of colour and to all designers – including fashion – at different stages in their careers. Everyone should have the opportunity to succeed in life no matter where they come from, the colour of their skin, the country they were born in, what they look like, or what barriers they face.
Meet the Food & Drink team: Jennifer Creevy
In a fast-paced, ever-changing world, food and drink is a source of comfort, pleasure and joy. Within the home, a meal shared between family offers quality time to talk, laugh, share stories, worries and highlights from the day. These rituals and the emotional connection people share with memories and food are linked to the products we crave when wanting to feel comforted, or transported to a different time or place.
Three key trends for Kidswear A/W 21/22
With the Covid-19 pandemic changing consumer buying priorities and habits as well as affecting finance, we highlight three key shifts in the market and how they will affect design. These key trends have been developed with a more thoughtful approach than ever before and this is aligning tightly with the core consumer drivers and recession-proof strategies WGSN has already set in place.
London’s Top Drawer launches kidswear edit: PLAY
Top Drawer is the UK’s destination trade show for design-led lifestyle and gifting products. This season, they announced that were adding kidswear to the mix, with the section set to be called PLAY. The creators of the show describe PLAY as ‘responding to changes in the retail landscape, where creative stockists continue to diversify and broaden their offering’. The trade show focuses on close-to-season, with brands showing their Christmas 2018 ranges for speed-to-market appeal.
The appeal of the LEGO minifigure as it turns 40
Ask any working parent in the UK about their childcare plans over the 6 week summer break and you’ll receive a mind-bogglingly complex list of summer clubs, drop-offs, hand-overs and play dates. For my family, the 6th and last week of childcare has fallen on grandparents, which means that on top of babysitting comes their huge collection of LEGO. The “family” box of LEGO hasn’t been far out of reach for at least 45 years.
J.HARDYMENT founder on getting started, Lane Crawford and Shanghai's energy
WGSN sat down with jewellery designer Joanna Hardyment in Shanghai to talk starting up her eponymous brand, J. HARDYMENT. We discussed Shanghai’s energy, understanding differing tastes in jewellery around the world and strategic planning. Could you tell us a bit about how you founded your jewellery brand? I had an interest in design and fashion from a young age, but didn’t feel ready for fashion school when the time came.
Why Yayoi Kusama matters today
Yayoi Kusama’s works of art are just as relevant today as they were when she built her very first Infinity Room in 1965. With the recent political climate dramatically shifted, it echoes feelings from the 60s with protests, equal rights movements and underserved justice. Her art offers a sense of optimism and hope, relatable on a global scale to people of every age and every gender. “I want all the countries in the world to work together so that more people can strive to live in peace” said Kusama.
Nigerian writer Ziki Nelson on his upcoming comic book featuring 15 African artists
A Nigerian writer is currently crowdsourcing one of the most ambitious comic book anthologies which will see 15 artists from across the continent collaborating on a 200-page book that is made up of six original stories. Called Kugali, the project is being spearheaded by London-based creative Ziki Nelson, who left a career in finance and banking to pursue the project nearly six years ago. “I took a gap year, during which I started putting together a writing portfolio.
World Cup fever: The impact on the menswear market
In the wake of the World Cup, we take a look at the menswear market to understand the impact of the games on fashion retail. Whilst it’s inherent that team jerseys will be top sellers during the month of matches, 2018’s quadrennial ritual sent shockwaves further than the pitch. Adidas’ nostalgic kits left strips selling out worldwide for aesthetic reasons as well as patriotism and Nike’s Nigeria kit was pre-ordered 3 million times; reselling across a multitude of global sites.
How FIFA Soccer Inspires Kidswear
FIFA fever has exploded across the globe since the first 2018 World Cup game took place on June 14th. Kidswear brands got in on the game with collaborations and football themed apparel including Bape, Neighborhood One Third, Eleven Paris and Molo. Pitti Bimbo, the first kids’ trade show of the season, highlighted the importance of sports. It offered up a new dedicated area within the show floor, as well as a separate sportswear catwalk.
Child's play: The rise of mini-creatives
Here at WGSN, we’re tracking the ever-growing rise of stylish kids that are giving the adults a creative run for their money. In fact, the adults are starting to take direct references from mini-creatives. The A/W18/19 men’s Acne catwalk had a child-like stamp; fluffy stitch rockets and star-adorned sweats. Alongside this, the recently published video of Acne Creative Director Jonny Johansson’s 12-year-old son Tage re-working an Acne sneaker has an almost anarchic quality.
WGSN travel: Holiday happiness in Formentera
Where to stay, eat and drink on the beautiful Balearic island of Formentera If your childhood holidays inform your holidays for life, then mine should be spent on rural campsites in the south of France, eating baguettes and pain au chocolate, playing cards and petanque, and learning how to catch wasps in jam jars.
WGSN travel: Holiday happiness in Formentera
Where to stay, eat and drink on the beautiful Balearic island of Formentera If your childhood holidays inform your holidays for life, then mine should be spent on rural campsites in the south of France, eating baguettes and pain au chocolate, playing cards and petanque, and learning how to catch wasps in jam jars.
2018's new thrift stores: Los Angeles
Today, vintage fashion is more popular than ever – and it’s driven by a growing appetite for products that signal individuality, as well as cost-consciousness, and the storytelling value of vintage. Now, more than ever, brands are considering this channel of retail as a more environment-friendly practice when it comes to reducing waste around the world – so it makes sense to consider this to be a part of another part of the environmental movement in fashion.
The Sustainability Series: THE KINDCRAFT
As consumer demand for sustainable, ethically-sourced products heightens, here at WGSN we’re dedicated to highlighting the opportunities this challenge presents across the board. A shift towards sustainability comes not just from an environmental need, but a financial one too, as consumers begin to reject brands and businesses that aren’t on board.
The transparent trend: SS18 and beyond
Transparent accessories are key for SS18, but they’re set to evolve as we look to future seasons. From the Balenciaga, Balmain and Yeezy catwalks through to Zara and Public Desire, the trend has infiltrated different markets, and has been picked up by key influencers such as Kim Kardashian-West and Aimee Song (@songofstyle). It’s been pioneered for the last few seasons in the form of ‘barley-there’ sandals and cross body bags.
WGSN in Tokyo: Kid's trends inspiration
Tokyo is by far, my favorite place to visit for kid’s inspiration. Whether it’s visiting the many pockets of town that carry incredible kidswear including Daikanyama, Jiyugaoka and Jingumae, to the endless number of kawaii (cute) experiences that everyone in the family can enjoy. Tokyo is a must-visit for kids and adults that are young-at-heart, with many only-in-Japan items for sale, from streetwear to unique collaborations to licensed products for all ages.
'Century of the Child' is celebrated at the V&A's museum of childhood.
For any creative minds out there with an interest in children’s design, check out the current exhibition at the V&A’s museum of childhood. The Century of the Child: Nordic Design for children 1900 to Today is a small but concise exhibition exploring some of the most iconic innovations that have come out of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland over the last 120 years.
Sustainability 2018: Adapting to a new ecosystem
Sustainability continues to play a key role on the UK high street, growing 128.4% within the new-in womenswear market YOY. However, no longer is it about simply working on sustainable collections, but creating new ethical ecosystems that encompass a holistic view– incorporating fairtrade practices and sustainable manufacturing.
Editor insight: WGSN Editors talk today’s menswear consumer
For the launch of the Barometer Menswear Survey in the UK, our proprietary consumer brand tracker, we interview influencers in the menswear space to better understand menswear consumers and trends. Who better to sit down with than WGSN’s very own Menswear Director Volker Kettenis and Senior Menswear Editor Nick Paget. The hype around brand collaborations, especially in streetwear, is still going ahead. Where do you see this going? Nick: It won’t disappear. This is how young kids bond together.
The Sustainability Series: Purpose past, present, future
As consumer demand for sustainable, ethically-sourced products heightens, here at WGSN we’re dedicated to highlighting the opportunities this challenge presents across the board. A shift towards sustainability comes not just from an environmental need, but a financial one too, as consumers begin to reject brands and businesses that aren’t on board.
Why kidswear clothing rentals are the future of babywear
In a world where fashion and excess go hand-in-hand, companies are looking to move away from linear manufacturing models towards circular ones. Brands today are now playing catch-up with this concept, as consumers continue to desire for sustainable living that promote conscious care, repair, recycling and circular commerce. It is already estimated that resell clothing will outsell fast-fashion in as little as 10 years.
Insta-ready: How flower arranging got a Millennial makeover
This is no ground-breaking news, we already know that Millennials love their houseplants. They can provide a calming environment, allow their owners to connect with something tangible in an increasingly digitised world, and they provide a nice aesthetic, too. However, we’ve recently spotted a new wave of flora enthusiasts who are, slowly but surely, taking over our Instagram feeds. Could this signal a move on from 2017’s greenery obsession?
Home Depot X Pinterest: Blending shopping with inspiration
‘Shop the look’ is a pretty ubiquitous expression in the social media age. It’s a phrase we’re set to hear even more frequently as more and more companies link up with tech firms and social media platforms to offer their products in new ways. The latest initiative comes from The Home Depot and Pinterest, who have partnered to dramatically expand Pinterest’s visual discovery feature, called (unsurprisingly), ‘Shop the Look’.
Playtime Tokyo concludes Playtime trade shows with a 'changeover' theme
Playtime Tokyo’s 18th edition opens today with approximately 150 collections on offer, curated into four new areas: ‘New In Tokyo’, ‘Lifestyle’, ‘Family’ and ‘Must Have’. Mystery awaits this season with an exciting overall theme of ‘Changeover’- described to have one eye on the future, one towards the past but with both feet planted in the present. Three artists have been commissioned to share their vision of the shows’ overriding trends- ‘Renew’, ‘Flow’ and ‘Agricool’.
A look at the sex appeal and 80's glamour of Tom Ford
NYFW has returned to the city with full force, kickstarting a busy season of frenetic show-hopping for our catwalks team. WGSN Catwalks Director Lizzy Bowring weighs in on last night’s Tom Ford S/S 18 show – one of the real stand-outs of fashion month’s opening day. NEW YORK: The powerful energy that exudes from a Tom Ford show literally reverberates with seduction. This season, he sent out yet another glamorous and overtly sexy collection full of flamboyant 80’s recreations.
Colovos - A collection with a conscience - WGSN Insider
As sustainability becomes a top focus for WGSN, we’re always looking to see which designers are setting the precedent- and the Colovos show at New York Fashion Week proved that sustainable fashion is more wearable than ever. Called out as one of our Brands to Watch this season, fashion-duo Nicole and Micheal Colovos presented a collection for Fall which was as ethical as it was elegant.
How Munich Store WHAT A PETIT is Changing the Kids' Streetwear Game
While children’s streetwear has proliferated the market in recent months, there remain few stores entirely dedicated to children’s streetwear. KITH recently opened a KIDSET store in Manhattan and children’s streetwear brand Little Giants | Giant Shorties operates a storefront in Brooklyn, but WHAT A PETIT is one of the rare multi-brand boutiques for parents to discover new pieces.
AW18/19: Three key influencers to watch this season
Fashion Season is upon us. This week, New York Fashion Week returns to the city with full force, kicking off a season that spreads across the major fashion capitals. This time round, it’s even easier to get in on the action. More than ever, social media is pulling back the curtain on catwalks. Instagram can be considered fashion’s new front row – and what better way to secure your seat than through the lens of influencers and their iPhones?
Replacing Colette? Ex-staffers to launch a new concept store
It had to happen – if there’s a gap it will be filled and next week the Colette-sized hole in Paris will be (at least partly) plugged by a new store. It’s being launched by some ex-Colette senior staffers after the famous Paris concept store closed the doors on a 20-year existence late last month. What’s interesting for this new shop is that it won’t be about high fashion or womenswear.
5 new kidswear launches and collabs to get excited about
As 2017 draws to a close, we start to look to some new collaborations, brands and releases that will be dropping in 2018. Now is definitely the time to get excited about kidswear. The kidswear market has a predicted growth of 13.2% over the next five years in the UK, with growth outpacing both mens and womenswear for the previous five years, according to data from Euromonitor.
Art Basel 2017: The Best Street Style Accessories We Spotted
Art Basel 2017 was a celebration that started with an intimate Hype Beast dinner, and ended with Drake performing. Basel is always a fun time, where every creative from the surrounding US states land in Miami, for art, fashion, parties and more. We saw some cool fashion brand announcements this season, with Kanye West launching Yeezy season 6 via a load of zine style images posted around the city.
WGSN Alternative Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Day Thirteen
The holiday season is all about gifts. But this year we’ve seen the consumer become a little more discerning when it comes to purchase power. Brand values have never been so important to the consumer. So, we’ve launched our annual WGSN gift guide, but this year there’s a twist. The gift guide will be focused on cool products that give back and lovely companies with heartwarming values. Private members’ clubs have never been so popular.
Making it work: The challenges of revamping a brand
This has been a busy year for luxury brands, with the revamp of key players like Helmut Lang and Fiorucci. Having spent time in the new Fiorucci store, we began thinking about how you successfully bring back an established brand (which has been out of the limelight) for a younger audience? Helmut Lang entrusted Hood by Air’s Shayne Oliver who relaunched the fashion label with a catwalk show at NYFW this year and with his recent #throwback taxi cab campaign.
How a new generation is discovering the magic of Winnie the Pooh
For kids brands that have been around for decades, it is imperative to stay relevant with long-time fans as well as engaging the younger generations of today. A new Winnie the Pooh exhibit that just opened at the Victoria and Albert Museum manages that delicate balance perfectly. And there’s nothing like an exhibition at such a prestigious institution as a way to spark excitement with all generations, young and old.
How the kidswear market is appealing to international buyers
While it continues to honour its legacy as the largest and most established children’s fashion trade show in the world, the next – 86th edition – of Pitti Bimbo sees the Pitti Immagine brand make strides in offering the return of the buyers favourite: the catwalk.
How LEGO is using its Bricklive Christmas experience to engage fans
LEGO has appeared on many Christmas lists in the last 85 years, but this year, for a first ever festive special, Bricklive Christmas is arriving in London. The hype surrounding the LEGO experience has been gaining momentum over the last few years with the world’s largest LEGO store opening last November in Leicester Square. Here you can find new novelties such as a personalised portrait mosaic maker and a digital box which brings to life in 3D almost any LEGO set.
The kidswear market, brand collaborations and the power of nostalgia
A recent visit to the Brand Licensing Europe trade show held at London’s Olympia earlier this month revealed the growing impact of nostalgia when it comes to new product offerings. It’s clear that 80s & 90’s licensed properties are continuing to expand their demographic and breadth of product.
How active brands are using experiences to engage consumers
The in-store fitness studio has been around for a while, pioneered by the likes of Sweaty Betty and LuluLemon. Store based workouts have played a major role in redefining retail outlets from being stores into multifunctional venues. But more recently we have seen a surge in brands moving out of the studio and offsite, creating clubs and curating adventures to encourage understanding of the brand, its ethos and its product.
Topshop inks Stranger Things deal, tapping into Netflix youth appeal
Fashion and thrills. Topshop/Topman is collaborating with Netflix for the much-anticipated second TV series of Stranger Things, released in the UK on October 27. The 80s-set supernatural thriller, which stars Winona Ryder in a successful comeback and teen actors Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, and Gaten Matarazzo, is the inspiration for a 28-piece capsule clothing and accessories collection, launching October 20.
National Geographic is at the forefront of immersive entertainment
Have you ever wanted to discover the best coral reefs for snorkeling, but fear of the ocean waves stopped you? Or have you struggled with wanting to teach your children about underwater creatures, but you don’t necessarily support animals in captivity? Well, now you have the opportunity to experience the ocean digitally. National Geographic has just launched a first of its kind immersive ocean floor experience right in the heart of New York City in Times Square.
Top 3 Advantages of Being an Older Athlete
With better health care than ever, baby boomers are the first generation taking steps to protect themselves for their longer lives. In our recent ‘Active Intelligence- The Ageless Athlete’ report we look at how the market is gaining momentum. Exercise and a conscious approach to health and fitness have a number of advantages in ensuring a higher quality of life throughout the golden years.
YouTube beauty influencer Michelle Phan exits Ipsy as it launches new offer
YouTube beauty influencer Michelle Phan is now the owner of EM Cosmetics, the brand she started (unsuccessfully) with L’Oréal and later relaunched under the aegis of Ipsy, the creator-focused beauty company she co-founded. She has now bought the brand from Ipsy through her Divinium Labs company.
MFW Gucci S/S18: 70s glam rock interspersed with magpie opulence
Milan: Elton John, the Gucci muse– of course – a match made in heaven! No yellow brick road at Alessandro Michele’s maximalist presentation though. Instead, there was a blue runway representing the waters of the Tiber (one of the most famous rivers in Italy) snaking through a smokey, surreal atmosphere – a deep and mysterious backdrop for glamorous and shimmering 70s and 80s pieces.
LFW Street Style Key Trends
3 must-try trends and why basket bags are here to stay London is known as THE creative hub of the Fashion Week season – think young designers, big parties, and some eclectic street style. WGSN’s Anna Ross brings you the three key trends spotted on the streets of London this season. Head-to-toe blues were the colour du jour on the streets of London, with street-stylers moving on from head to toe denim looks and taking the look into a more formal mood.
The Italian design products to know
Last week WGSN’s Interior trend experts got the pleasure of visiting the Homi Milano trade show in Italy. We were on site to present a series of talks on global design direction, lifestyle & interiors, plus colour, material, finish. While we were there we also got to explore the trade show space and identify the key design products to know. Homi is in its 3rd season, and is fast becoming a staple for retailers & consumers of Italian design, lifestyle and home products for a commercial angle.
Why everyone should try crystal bed therapy at least once
As health and wellness trends have shifted towards experiences that activate the mind, body and soul, we look to new ways to destress and relax. When I heard about a place called Modrn Sanctuary that offered something called crystal bed therapy, I was instantly intrigued. Through the website I began reading about this type of non-tangible, non-Western healing, promoting spiritual, emotional, mental and physical healing. With one click I threw away all my skepticism and booked an appointment.
Monochromatic Is The Way To Go For Interiors
In the recent seasons, colour has grown to become the first, kick-off step when designing, instead of being relegated as an afterthought in the design process. This is really important, because colour is the driver of almost 90% of all decisions we make – in fact 90 seconds are enough to set one’s mind, and 93% of people say it is the visuals that make the difference.
Top 10 Street Style looks from Primavera Sound 2017
When it comes to the best festivals in Europe, Primavera Sound is always a given. The three-day festival in sunny Barcelona is one of the biggest indie and alternative music festivals. Held each year inParc del Forum, the festival attracts the continent’s hipsters due to its varied lineup of everything from alt-rock to underground house and techno.
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