Working in the fashion industry, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends. Trend forecasting services are great because they can give you some of the most up to date information. However, with so many out there it can be hard to navigate them. Here’s four trend forecasting services that will help you spot the latest styles.
1.WGSN:
When I think of trend forecasting the first service that comes to mind is WGSN. Founded in London in 1998, they were the first forecasting service “to combine high-end technology with human ingenuity.” WGSN provides over 250 forecasters to 6,500 businesses and 74,000 active users around the world.
WGSN’s forecasts 2 to 5 years ahead in retail markets including mens, womens and childrens apparel, furnishing, homewares and lifestyle.Updates come out daily on their online website. A yearly subscription can cost a few thousand dollars but they have a prominent social media presence and a free blog called the WGSN Insider.
2. Trendstop:
Trendstop is another London-based agency, founded by Jaana Jätyri, a graduate of Central St. Martins. Trendstop’s motto is “less but better.” Their focus is on reducing waste in the fashion industry and helping designers become more sustainable. Trendstop has 150 trend specialist around the world visiting 1,500 stores and events each month.
Each day they receive thousands of images, which 30 in-house curators filter through and analyze, while doing additional research on trends. Along with members only features and personal consultations, Trendstop also offers a free online Trend Training masterclass.
With headquarters in New York and 18 years in the business, Fashion Snoops services brands, retailers and manufacturers with fashion and lifestyle forecasting services.They have representation in 15 countries with 150 editors and global contributors forecasting for thousands of members across 50 different countries.
Fashion Snoops focus is on macro trends and cultural shifts, saying “we look wider, start earlier, and track continuously to spot and track the shifts that will shape consumer decisions.” What sets them apart from other forecasting services is that they pride themselves on transparency, showing their members exactly how they’ve come to a conclusion. Information is updated daily.
Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) is a retail trade journal that began publication in 1910, as an offshoot of the menswear journal Daily New Record. WWD quickly made a name for itself in the fashion industry becoming one of the top fashion publications.
Their publication offers insight on womens, mens, beauty, runway, accessories and business trends. Their website is updated daily and they also have weekly print publications.