Forecasting is a term that is used when you research upcoming and predicted future trends. This is done so that you are aware and can apply the trends and colours to your range, so that they are popular, and are "in trend". If they are not trendy, consumers will have no interest in buying them. 

It is also important to include the fact that I am looking mainly at smart-casual/office-wear. People sometimes feel pressure to look a specific way without being judged in the workplace, so they need to be on trend. There are many things to forecast such as trends, colours, fabrics, patterns, and themes.

Research showed there were 3 main themes forecasted for AW19/20. These were:

Free Style

Purpose Full

Light Magic

I decided the best theme for my collection would be Light Magic, because of the colour scheme which would match well with my chosen retro/70’s theme. From this, I took the colour palettes and applied them to some of my designs and experimented with them which seemed to compliment the designs.

Gathering research from WGSN, I found some trend files from New Look. These range over 3 seasons; AW15/16, AW16/17, AW17/18. Looking at these, I can see similar and continuous trends across the seasons. These include what they were inspired by (Mainly by the 1970's), similar patterns, fabrics, shapes, sleeves, and colours. 

Some of the continuous trends included floral patterns, high-neck tops, vinyl skirts and trousers, mesh materials, knee length boots, denim, strips, fur, skinny fit jeans, knitwear, puff-sleeve, embroidery, flares and dark reds/burgundy/browns.