New York: Bootcamp with Grant McCracken

Following trends is a fun past time for many around the world, but can tracking ephemeral fascinations help your company and brands succeed? In Chief Culture Officer, anthropologist and consultant Grant McCracken argues that products and ads succeed when corporations capitalize on culture. Join McCracken February 13^th for a day long boot camp in New York City where he shares why campaigns such as Nike’s “Just Do It” and Dove’s “Campaign for Real Beauty” succeeded where others failed, and how staying abreast on culture is now a full-time responsibility for a corporation. The interactive boot camp promises to be an interesting and informative event for anyone curious about how to incorporate trend forecasting into corporate cultures.

February 9, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Sotto le Lune Sample Sale

After visiting the gift show last week, it seems safe to say that we’ll be seeing a lot more of bohemian lux in the year to come. Restoration Hardware has already picked up on this trend, as has Jonathan Adler, and of course John Derian and Anthropologie are partially responsible for our modernized rustic desires. These pillows, by Sotto le Lune embody this trend to a T with the use of linen, subtly intricate beading and soft natural tones. Luckily, for the pillow hunters out there, this collection, designed by Wendy Hall and her interior-designer daughter, Gemeli Hager, just went on sale on One Kings Lane. These pillows are beautiful, so if you’re looking to be inspired, or just see what’s brewing in New Zealand home goods, check it out!

February 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Kenzo Takada's Illustrative Influence

It’s that time of year again and the trade shows are in full swing! A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to absorb 2011’s Spring/Summer fashion predictions at the Premiere Vision and Supima Cotton trade shows. In addition to viewing the fabric displays, I attended David Wolfe’s presentation. Wolfe is the Creative Director at The Doneger Group and always an enlightening voice in the world of trend forecasting.

The most compelling part of Wolfe’s presentation focused on Designer and Illustrator, Kenzo Takada. Takada is best known for his global brand, Kenzo, however his early days in Tokyo and Paris were defined by his runway illustrations. After each show, he would distribute printed copies of his hand made sketches, broadcasting all of high society’s fashion trends. Just as today’s generation of live runway bloggers are altering the industry playing field, Takada’s drawings similarly exposed each clothing concept, allowing other designers to copy and reinterpret for their own clients. With just a few markers, a sharp memory, the local printing press and impeccable drawings, Takada single-handedly altered fashion consumption forever- an impressive feat, considering the internet played no role in distribution.

February 8, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Birds of a Feather…

Recently, the rush chair for the Cornell chapter of Pi Phi issued a seven-page memo regulating what sisters can and can’t wear during recruitment. While it’s not new for distinct groups to align themselves with certain brands, what is interesting are which labels the rush chair uses to signify just how “casually chic” Pi Phi is in hopes of gaining campus-wide acceptance. Anthropologist, Grant McCracken theorizes that distinct groups of people, or flocks, adopt trends based on a risk-safety ratio. Trends trickle down from small chaotic pockets and grow based on their commercial appeal for the masses.

In Pi Phi’s case, their choice of Tory Burch flats, skinny jeans and meticulously groomed hair signifies a specific tribe of dressers indicative of Flock 3. While this portion of the consumer market enjoys nice things, risky items (ripped boyfriend jeans!) aren’t part of the repertoire. Just as Oprah’s influence to move trends is substantial, so is the voice of mini leaders like this sorority. Hilarious read aside, when it comes down to it, taking the manifesto at face value overlooks the anthropological value in understanding major buying forces in today’s market.

Coverage By: Nikki Ogunnaike

February 4, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Channeling Thierry Mugler at the Grammys

Cindy Gallop put it best last night when she tweeted, “Watching Fergie and thinking that Thierry Mugler exerted unseen influence over all female performer grammys costumes…” So very true. Americans love a superhero and it seems as though Lady Gaga, Beyonce and Fergie’s stylists have all taken a page out of this Frenchman’s sketchbook at least once over the past year. Working solely with color blocked solids and exaggerated cut-outs, Mugler’s fashion truly converts his subjects into mystical creatures. Interestingly, these performers look like they’ve stepped out of a gaming convention, proving yet again, that digital and reality are overlapping realities for today’s pop icons.

February 1, 2010 | By: Shayna Kulik

Trend: Effervescent Embellishments

When it comes to trends, there will always be an organic story to parallel a futurist one. Today’s feature highlight’s life’s natural influences and just how easily they can translate into salable merchandise. The gold clusters on this Donna Karan bag are nearly interchangeable with the champagne bubbles in this “Save the Champagne ad.” The grouping, color story and mood are accessory-friendly and quite glamorous. Not only do these mini sundials work on a bag, they’d also enhance home, beauty and fragrance as well.