Nature for the Future

 WGSN’s trend report for A/W 23/24: NatureVerse is focused on the meshing of the digital world with the natural. There are heavy themes of human impact on the world around us, and potential new planets and ecosystems we could inhabit. Items of clothing should be multi-functional, with more interest placed on texture and craftsmanship, rather than following fast moving trends.

As far as colors and patterns go, there is a seamless blend between muted and bright, with natural tones like Wholegrain, Sage Leaf and Alpine Forest, that work in combination with extra-terrestrial shades, such as Bitter Lemon, Digital Lavender and Apricot Crush. The integration of natural and digital begins with how the consumer views the garments, which is often first done through color, whether that is conscious or not. “Nature for the Future” takes this idea and incorporates colors that are expected in a natural color palette, like greens and browns, while adding some surprises with deep purple and light pink. The integration of digitally influential shades with ones found in nature allows for a more seamless color palette that reflects the intentions of the original trend report.

Silhouettes are simplistic, yet captivating, making them perfect for everyday wear. Taking this a step further, garments are made to flow easily from season to season, making their wear period longer and therefore more worth the investment. Visual interest can be done in any way, from pockets to intriguing cutouts and even through rouching and pleating. This in combination with the color palette and overarching themes of sustainability makes for a well-rounded ideology of making your impact on the world good. Being able to pair garments interchangeably with each other is one of the first steps to sustainable wear.