Pages 485–491
Abstract
Research summary supplied by the authors
Colour and trend forecasting have emerged as a strategic tool for the fashion and footwear industries, particularly within fast-evolving global markets. As fashion increasingly becomes an extension of lifestyle identity, colour, texture and surface innovation plays a pivotal role in product differentiation. Strengthening domestic design capabilities and enhancing global competitiveness require systematic forecasting approach that provide manufacturers with actionable insights for creating commercially aligned collections. This study presents a predicting colour and material directions for the Spring-Summer 2027 (SS27) season, grounded in an analysis of evolving consumer behaviour, design signals and multi-source trend indicators. The methodology combines a longitudinal review of past colour cards with a layered examination of contemporary influences, including international runway themes, street fashion shifts, digital cultural dynamics and socio-economic developments. Additional inputs from global trade fairs such as LINEAPELLE, Garda, WSA, MICAM and GDS reinforce the reliability of the directional assessment. Key silhouettes, surface treatments and material evolutions across menswear, womenswear and children’s wear are mapped to highlight both emerging and declining trends. The SS27 forecast identifies four dominant colour narratives driven by optimism, nostalgia, virtuality and natural fluidity. Virtual Blue anchors the season with a digitally inspired radiance, while Mint Slush and Grasshopper introduce fresh, progressive harmonies. Soft naturals - Sandrose, Blush and Blue Shadow paired with Grayscale evoke romantic nostalgia blended with modern clarity. Material and surface directions focus on tactility and expressive detail, featuring patchwork leathers, macramé-inspired structures, perforations, knitted leather concepts, shimmer finishes, fantasy textures and delicate embellishments. These insights provide a scientifically grounded framework enabling manufacturers and designers to develop focused, relevant and globally competitive SS27 collections.