Content

1    Weekly Work

1.1 Introduction to Forecasting Fashion

1.2 Ying Gao, BMW Gina, Zaha Hadid

1.3 WSNG & Franklin Till
1.4 Martin Raymond - Trend Forecaster's Handbook

1.5 Colette & Merci

1.6 Qualitative vs Quantitative

1.7 Cultural Brailing planning and discussion (Tiong Bahru)

1.8 Sustainability Canvas 

1.9 BDA London, Fashion Futures: The Big Trend debate

2    Cultural Brailing
2.1 Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru
2.2 Ann Siang Hill, Chinatown

3    Trend Board
3.1 Books Actually, Yong Siak Street
3.2 Ann Siang Hill
3.3 Tourism in Ann Siang Hill
3.4 Shops of Ann Siang Hill

 



Introduction to Forecasting Fashion

For the first lesson, we separated into groups and was given an A3 paper, we were asked "What is Forecast?" Through the method of mind mapping, our group expanded on the idea of forecasting. Forecasting is not only prediction or estimation of future events or trends, I learned that forecasting was in fact so much more. Forecast is communication, lifestyle, evidences, observation, forecast is data and information. Through in depth observation of the surrounding and culture, forecast is no long just predictions, it has become an educated calculation of a series of events known as trend, these trends are the cheat sheet for forecasting. Recognizing patterns and understanding them, observe how they repeat over and over again allow us to determine the future, that is my interpretation of Forecast.

Ying Gao, BMW Gina, Zaha Hadid

Images from https://www.blonde20.com/blog/2014/04/03/has-wearable-technology-become-the-future-of-fashion/

Ying Gao

• Fashion designer and professor
• Combined urban design, architecture and multimedia
• Takes inspiration from social and urban environment
• Uses technologies in fashion design, allow garments to become more playful and interactive

Her designs are known to be "radical critical dimension that transcends technological experiment" - (http://nykyinen.com/whos-who-ying-gao/) and departing from tradition



Images from http://www.superfuturecars.com/bmw-gina/

BMW

• Fabric skinned, shape-shifting sports car
• Fabric body that is stretchable, flexible matter, resistant, translucent, man made fabric skin
• Its body changes shape according to exterior conditions and speed
• Body also stretches over moveable frame
• Steering wheel sits in an "idle" position which allows easy access  for the driver

"Geometry and functions in an adaptation" - (http://www.gogeometry.com/world_news_map/bmw_gina_geometry_in_n_adaptation.html)

Images from http://www.archdaily.com/294549/galaxy-soho-zaha-hadid-architects-by-hufton-crow/

Zaha Hadid

• Iraqi-British architect
• Distinctly neofuturistic, powerful curving forms
• Often encourages multiple points of perspective
• Fragmented geometry to evoke chaos in the modern life

Her design revolves largely around emotional evocation and abstract interpretation of life, often seemingly impossible forms

These innovative designers are inspiring because they managed to do what no one else could, creating something new and distinct in this over saturated modern world.

WGSN & Franklin Till

 

After learning more about WGSN and Franklin Till, this is what I what have gathered

WGSN is a trusted online advisor on style and design trends, backed up with credibility of thousands of professionals from this particular sectors

Images from http://www.wgsn.com/en/

Who uses WGSN?

Designers

who are looking to save time with comprehensive seasonal research, it is easy, simple and instantly accessible

Merchandizers

 who wants to get the right products at the right time in the right location on the racks in their boutiques

Buyers

 who are interested in knowing what's in and what's not

Strategists

 who wants to know the future consumer, emerge trends, becoming innovators

 

 

 

 

"FranklinTill Studio is a multidisciplinary design studio bridging research, forecasting and creative direction" - http://www.franklintill.com/

 

FranklinTill Studio has worked with a wide range of global clients from a diversity of lifestyle industries to bring insight and inspiration to their audience, FranklinTill specializes in trend forecasting and brand strategy, converting lifestyle to valuable packaged information relevant to a large variety of consumers. FranklinTill's information could be retrieved via multiple sources, they offer both printed and online publications, exhibitions, workshops and events.

 

Images from http://www.franklintill.com/ Exhibition

WGSN and FranklinTill are representations of how impactful and important forecasting and trend recognition are, these information are valuable enough to be build up businesses around it.

Martin Raymond - Trend Forecaster's Handbook

"Forecasting is not just about focusing on new and the next, it is also about paying attention to the different and the diverse, the pattern that we recognize, and the anomalies that disrupt and confound them", quote taken from The Trend Forecaster's Handbook, by Martin Raymond

To me, this quote from Martin Raymond sums up the point the Handbook is trying to make, what I got from it is to be observant and open minded, and not just limit myself just focusing on the "what's coming next". We have to look out for signs and indications of repetitions, and recognizing trends, and be able to determine where we are on the timeline.


Image from The Trend Forecaster's Handbook

Colette & Merci

Location: Paris, 213, Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001     

Mon - Sat: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sun: CLOSED      www.colette.fr

 

Images from http://jetsettimes.com/2012/09/11/interview-with-colette-paris-a-constant-movement-and-energy-in-style-design-art-and-food/

 

Colette Paris is a "brick and click" clothing and accessory retailer, the store includes an exhibition space, bookshop, and "water bar". It caters to both female and male consumers, online shopping is also available. Colette offer a wide range hip merchandizes, from toys to magazines, cosmetics to food, furniture to apparels, they have everything, and this is what makes Colette a unique business.

 

Much like Colette, Merci seem to have everything in their store, from bars to lounges, retailing many products like bed linens, furniture, books, clothes and stationaries. Their business model is build around having everything, focusing on bringing large quantity and choices for their consumers. At the same time, targeting a much wider range of audience. In addition this retailing, Merci also provide a platform for young and new designers to build up their clientele and gain experience. There are funds granted to Merci to support the process of education for the designers as well.



Images from https://openhousebcn.wordpress.com/2013/09/09/openhouse-magazine-design-world-basics-pop-up-shop-at-merci-in-paris-schemata-architects-jo-nagasaka/

Colette and Merci both have quantity as their selling point, it is what makes them stand out from any other boutiques around which usually only focus on just a limited variation in their products. It is interesting to see how Colette and Merci have managed to find their place in the competitive market. I would usually think quality should always come before quantity, but in this case, it may not necessary be true. This method of cooperative/consolidated, boutique is a rather unique and intriguing idea.
 

Brailing the Culture - Planning & Discussion

Before going on the Culture Brailing trip to Tiong Bahru, Yong Siak Street, we did a planning as to where we would be going, what we expect to find, what kind of questions we are going to ask and how we are going to get the information we are looking for. Our group threw in some ideas and consolidated them onto a paper as shown below.

 

To understand the culture we had to immerse our in the culture, experience the environment and understand why Yong Siak Street is suitable for the current project. I've learned, in order to truly understand the culture in depth, I need to first research about the place, and briefly having an idea of their history and what they offer there. Finding out why the place is the way it is and how it all came about, and recognizing distinct individuals that goes.



Sustainibility Trend Canvas

After listening to the lecture by Lilia Yip, it opened my eyes regarding the situation of harsh treatments of labourer and the dire conditions they are in. The fashion industry can be cruel much like any other industries, and people are becoming more aware of what they are using these day and have made an effort to do something to improve or change. Instead of simply forcing change on the industry itself, we are able to make changes on our part as well, one of which is to understand where our apparels come from and be sustainable.

From the activity we did during that lesson, I realized I am actually not as sustainable in my daily life as I thought I was. I've learned quite a few designers and brands that supports the sustainable fashion movement like Issey Miyake and Suzanne Lee, and inspiring to see how they promote sustainability in their designs in different ways.

BDA London, Fashion Futures: The Big Trend Debate

 
 

 

Image from http://www.bdalondon.com/fashions-future-the-big-trend-debate/

 

The Big Trend Debate talks about how technology is smothering creativity and authenticity. According to them, the speed of apparel production has allegedly "killed" fashion. I agree to some extent that mass production have affected fashion in some ways, however I disagree that it killed fashion. In this aspect I would assume fashion to be a distinctive trend. Mass production has sped up the reaction time of trends, but there will always be variety and deviance since not everyone follow trends and there will always be some who does.

Brailing the Culture: Yong Siak Street, Tiong Bahru

 

I visited Yong Siak Street in Tiong Bahru in a weekday afternoon. The combination of the intense midday heat and the raletively long distance from the nearest MRT Station, and by the time I reached there I was already sweating so much. There wasn't much shelter along the way either, however I did realize quite a few buildings that are still in construction around Yong Siak Street. There were many people there when I last visited, and quite a number of tourists and expats.

 

There are many interesting looking stores along Yong Siak Street, like Strangelets and Woods in the Books, that offers a wide array merchandizes which are not commonly sold in stores in Singapore, especially the idea of mixing unconventional retail items of different category together. Besides these stores, there are a couple of art galleries, fashion boutiques, cafes and bakery. From what I inquired from a few owners of the stores, their choice to set up their business in this district is mainly because they want a "quiet" place with lesser competition in comparison to bustling malls/markets.

 

 

 

What does it mean for the area? People seldom consider Tiong Bahru as trendy, in the contrary, Tiong Bahru was known for it's old housing estates, in fact it was the first project undertaken by the Singapore improvement Trust, a government body administrated by British colonial authorities to provide public housing in Singapore. The arrival of these unique "hip" stores and cafes would only attract more people to Tiong Bahru. Tiong Bahru possibly grow to become a more lively and active area. What does it mean for the people? It would mean a more vibrant lifestyle in Tiong Bahru

 

Right now, Yong Siak Street is not very popular and not many people go there because of how in convenient reach the place is, some customers in Forty Hands also mentioned how would not visit Yong Siak Street again because of distance.

 

What if better transportation services were provided to gain access to Yong Siak Street? It would not only greatly improve the business in the area but also help Tiong Bahru develop into a more lively area.

Brailing the Culture: Ann Siang Hill, Chinatown

 

 

 

For the second cultural brailing trip I decided to go to Ann Siang Hill in Chinatown because of the interesting long row of high end boutiques just opposite the Chinese temple. It is uncommon to see a whole row of high end boutiques, Salons, and cafes side by side, especially in Chinatown where these kind of shop houses usually cater to cheaper consumers.

 

 

The string of stores include The Walk in Closet, Beauty Empire Nails, Son of a gun, Chapter B, By the Branch, Architectural Heitage, Jui Jamain, Hair on Erskine, and a few other bars. Even their names are different and unique, they are quirky and interesting names that would appeal to the younger bunch of people.

 

 

 

Most of the shops there were closed when I visited in the afternoon, but one of the boutiques stood out to me where they have two doormen dressed in expensive looking uniforms that would welcome the customers into the store, giving the boutique a more complete high-end experience.

Image from http://www.sixpegs.com/tag/ann-siang-hill/

 

What I means for the place? On my visit there, I realized there were barely anyone there, even though right on the opposite side of the road are temples and markets crowded with tourists. Why were the stores on that particular stretch not open? It seem like a missed opportunity on their part, however I do believe they were intentional since their target may most probably be nightlife enthusiasts