All posts tagged water footprint

Words by MPDClick’s Trend Journal Editor.

A recent interview with Sarah Burton on Nowness.com revealed details on the fashion houses design process and influences for the spring/summer 12 collection, proving MPDClick’s trend predictions for the season.

Burton explained how the initial theme is created just how Lee Alexander McQueen used to work – creating a world, a story, which is then developed within the signature house style. She also explained how she finds it amazing how designers do share underlying themes, in this case for spring/summer 12, underwater. This is a trend MPDClick predicted back in 2010 titled Water Footprint, through comprehensive economic, lifestyle, environmental and social analysis.

Sarah Burton talked through how some of the garments were made, detailing the mathematical process of production to create such dramatic effects. This method was another key indicator, again proving our predictions shown in our autumn/winter 11/12 trend Innovate which talks about the use of scientific and mathematical methods to produce complex patterns. 

MPDClick have also highlighted other designers in London, Milan and Paris Fashion Weeks exemplifying the underwater theme in previous posts on the Trend Journal.

Image source: Alexander McQueen

Words by MPDClick’s Trend Journal Editor.

It wasn’t only during London Fashion Week that we spotted a flurry of aquatic inspired designs, this trend has now proven its investment appeal for spring/summer 12 in Paris and Milan Fashion Week as predicted by MPDClick back in 2010.

As explained within our previous trend tracker, MPDClick’s s/s 12 trend Water Footprint is inspired by the mesmerizing beauty of aquatic worlds. As awareness for environmental issues become ingrained in the global mindset, endless initiatives and projects are being conceived that utilise this incredible force of nature.

In Milan, Versace presented a range of commercial shell and seahorse prints in a wash of pale violets, blues and mint in simple feminine shapes as well as mermaid inspired silhouettes and bra tops, echoing the ‘Offshore’ direction of Water Footprint. Giorgio Armani however embraced this theme in sophisticated, minimal shapes with iridescent finishes and scuba sculpted details being a key focus. Versace and Giorgio Armani exemplify the different markets this trend can cater to, working well in both low and high price points.

Paris offered up even more interpretations with Chanel presenting fish scale inspired embellishments, iridescent tweed weaves, pleated organza and high shine, water-like finishes. Givenchy concentrated on inspired silhouettes in the form of fish mouth hems, panelled bodies and fish fin sculpted plackets and peplums. The chain braced fish skirt and the oversized sharks tooth pendant necklace are favourites here at MPDClick, pieces that warrant commercial interpretations. Emanuel Ungaro also showcased aquatic beauty in the form of mesmerising deep sea prints, coral inspired embellishment and mermaid gowns.

Metallic iridescence, fish scale prints, sea shell graphics and tooth pendants are the key commercial design features to invest in for the s/s 12 season.

Versace S/S 12

Versace S/S 12

Giorgio Armani S/S 12

Giorgio Armani S/S 12

Chanel S/S 12

Chanel S/S 12

Chanel S/S 12

Givenchy S/S 12

Givenchy S/S 12

Givenchy S/S 12

Emanuel Ungaro S/S 12

Emanuel Ungaro S/S 12

Words by MPDClick’s Trend Journal Editor.

In London Fashion Week alone we spotted three designers exemplifying our forecasted trend Water Footprint for spring/summer 12.

Inspired by the mesmerizing beauty of aquatic worlds, Water Footprint examines the delicate ecosystems beneath the ocean, the value of hydro-energy and the benefits of a coastal existence. As awareness for environmental issues become ingrained in the global mindset, endless initiatives and projects are being conceived that utilise this incredible force of nature.

Basso & Brooke’s mesmerizing prints embodied the tropical aspect of the trend using exotic florals, mesmerising wave patterns and even fish scale inspired prints. This highly inspired aesthetic particularly echoes the ‘Off Shore’ direction of Water Footprint which is embodied by a fresh take on high summer surf culture. Aesthetic direction is taken from the decorative batiks of Indonesia, combined with an intensely tropical colour palette and the bounty of a coastal habitat.

Peter Pilotto’s collection also reflected this direction, channelling a scuba aesthetic seen in the form of structured wetsuit inspired necklines and vibrant coral prints which then melted into fluid skirts conveying a stark juxtaposition between manmade and natural.

Mary Katrantzou is the next designer to explore this trend depicting an underwater haven of tropical fish within her prints, reflecting a key theme presented within the ‘Fathom’ direction of Water Footprint. ‘Fathom’ looks at the idea of an underwater Garden of Eden manifests in a compelling vision: the vibrancy of tropical creatures, shimming undulations of jellyfish and the fluidity of the ocean inspire a sensual flair where translucent fabrics emphasize movement and graphics seem to evolve organically.

MPDClick subscribers can click here to revisit the Trend Research and Forecast at a Glance reports for Water Footprint.

Basso & Brooke

Basso & Brooke

Basso & Brooke

Peter Pilotto

Peter Pilotto

Mary Katrantzou

Mary Katrantzou

Designer Philip Colbert has today launched an exclusive ‘Cod Save the Sea’ t-shirt (pictured below) at London Fashion Week in support of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF)’s work to end ‘pirate’ fishing.

The Cod Save the Sea t-shirt is part of fashion label The Rodnik Band’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection which is inspired by EJF’s work to end illegal ‘pirate’ fishing. The collection also includes his signature ‘art dresses’ which come in every aquatic shade from a fish and chips ball gown to a submarine trench coat.

As fish become scarcer, illegal ‘pirate’ fishing has become one of the greatest threats to our oceans. By ignoring fisheries laws and often using destructive fishing gear, pirate fishing operators cause massive damage to the marine environment. Many species such as dolphins, turtles and seabirds are caught and discarded as bycatch, dead or dying.

Healthy fish stocks provide income, livelihoods and food security for coastal fishing communities. In turn these contribute to improved health, education and standards of living. Fishing is crucial to both local and national economies in many countries, particularly in the developing world.

Philip Colbert the designer (pictured with models in main picture) says the collaboration has allowed him to create a strong message behind the clothes. “EJF is leading environmental charity, and have done amazing work to reduce pirate fishing, which has greatly affected the world’s fish stocks, causing massive damage to the wider marine ecosystem and the food security and livelihoods of poor coastal communities in developing countries”

EJF Director Steve Trent says “This creative and dynamic project by The Rodnik Band is connecting consumers to the plight of coastal communities in West Africa, showing their support for international action to protect our shared oceans and the lives and livelihoods of some of the poorest people on the planet.”

The organic, ethically-made, low-carbon t-shirts are available from ASOS (www.asos.com) for £25 from Friday 16th September 2011.

T-shirts available from 16th September 2011 at ASOS (www.asos.com). £10 from the sale of each t-shirt goes to EJF.

The increased interest and action taken by the creative industries, aiming to spread awareness about the preservation of the world’s water resources, allows us to track our forecasted trend ‘Water Footprint’ for spring/summer 12. ‘Water Footprint’ considers the potential of water as a key source of energy for the future, along with the development of transport systems and the preservation of coastlines around the world. MPDClick subscribers can click here to view previous Journal entries citing water as a key trend driver.

From today (11 May) – 12 June 2011, London department store Selfridges is partnering with more than 20 environmental and conservation groups to celebrate the beauty of the ocean, highlighting the issue of over-fishing to help us all understand the threats to the ocean and make positive choices about the right fish to buy and eat.

Selfridges has invited key fashion curator Judith Clark, best known for curating Anna Piaggi’s extensive exhibition at the V&A museum, to produce an inspiring and surrealist take on Project Ocean with an exhibition in the Concept Store.

From antique treasures to precious accessories, curiosities and surrealist fashion, ‘Washed Up’ will encompass the most interesting ocean inspired pieces from designers such as Thierry Mugler and Alexander McQueen. Plus Philip Treacy’s famous crystal lobster hat worn by Lady Gaga. Clark explains; “it is a rare opportunity for a curator of dress to be able to draw attention of such great political importance and urgency”.

Clark will stage the exquisite pieces against the desolate and haunting backdrop of driftwood and dead coral, salvaged from customs after it was seized from illegal smugglers, to highlight the critical environmental issues of Project Ocean.

Mpdclick says: As Selfridges aim to tackle or at the very least make their consumers aware of the increasingly urgent issue of the worlds water footprint, we at Mpdclick cite this as a strong early indicator of our spring/summer 12 trend. Inspired by the mesmerizing beauty of aquatic worlds, we examine the delicate ecosystems beneath the ocean, the value of hydro-energy and the benefits of a coastal existence.

Image source: Alexander McQueen – Plato Atlantis.

Source: Selfridges