How to become a fashion trend forecaster

If you’re always up to date on the latest trends and often seem to be the trendsetter rather than the one following trends, you might have a career as a fashion trend forecaster. Unfortunately, it doesn’t just take natural skill to make a career out of fashion, you’re going to need to put in a bit of work to get to the top level. Here’s how to do it.

What is a fashion trend forecaster?

A fashion trend forecaster will identify and predict new trends by focusing on external factors and influences. They look not only at the types of trends coming in, but how these new trends could impact the fashion industry and supply chain. The role requires assessing consumer behaviour while keeping updated on trending products, colours, styles, and prints. The two fashion trend forecasting types include:

1. Short-term trend forecasting

Short-term or ‘fad’ forecasting looks at the immediate changes in the fashion industry, often influenced by current events, politics, and pop culture.

2. Long-term trend forecasting

Long-term fashion forecasting anticipates trends around two years in advance, analysing the bigger influences on the industry, market structure, shifting values and expectations.

What skills do you need as a fashion trend forecaster?

While some skills can be learned with a fashion degree or diploma, there are other innate skills that you could hone to be a really great fashion trend forecaster. The skills include:

Analytical skills: You will be doing a lot of research in this role (it’s not all fashion shows and magazines!) which requires strong analytical skills.

Creative skills: The fashion element requires you to think creatively and view trends with a creative eye.

Observational skills: You need to see things that others don’t, pick up on subtle shifts that will have a long-term impact.

Innate curiosity: You need to be constantly questioning everything, trying to find out what is happening and why.

People skills: Networking is an important part of fashion trend forecasting so you will need to work well with people and keep up relationships.

What steps do you take to become a fashion trend forecaster?

Having an eye for fashion trends is a start, but you need to put in quite a lot of work to become a really top-notch fashion trend forecaster in the big leagues.

1. Get a fashion degree

The first thing you need to do is find a reputable fashion institution and get some form of recognised certification in fashion, such as a degree or diploma. This will provide you with a solid grounding in all aspects of fashion, from design and crafting through to marketing and business elements.

2. Hone your eye for trends

You need to cultivate your eye for fashion by reading as many fashion publications and blogs as possible, following relevant social media posts, and attending regular fashion shows, trade fairs, and exhibitions. This doesn’t have to be big-name events, it’s also at the more localised fashion events that you will discover what is trending and what’s not.

3. Get industry experience

Even while studying, you should start seeking out internships in the fashion industry to gain as much practical experience in the industry as possible. This practical experience will see you interacting with the latest brands and retailers, discovering exactly what it takes to succeed as a fashion trend forecaster.

4. Ongoing research

You need to be researching more than just fashion blogs, but actually studying consumer behaviour, economic indicators, and the latest technological advancements in the fashion world. Gather data, analyse the data, identify patterns and interpret trends.

5. Build your network

The fashion industry is hinged on strong networks which means finding trend forecasters, designers, stylists, retailers, and influencers and finding ways to meet and collaborate. By networking, you’re staying in the loop of what’s trending as well as the latest industry developments.

6. Create your portfolio

Finally, you need to keep updating your own portfolio to showcase your incredible trend-forecasting skills, all the analyses you’ve undertaken, predictions that you’ve made, and any trend-forecasting projects that you’ve worked on. This is a competitive industry, so you need to have something that sets you apart.

If you want to get the best start in your fashion trend forecasting career, contact Villioti Fashion Institute. At this internationally renowned fashion institute, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to survive and thrive in fashion!