The SS25 womenswear shows are fast approaching. New York Fashion Week kicks off the season as the first of the four major fashion cities, kicking off on September 6. We can expect to see an evolution of trends that have captivated audiences in the past, as well as trends that seem to drastically contradict those tendencies. To discuss the shifts, FashionUnited spoke with Patricia Maeda, womenswear director at trend forecasting agency Fashion Snoops.
Merging craftsmanship and AI
Although artificial intelligence (AI) is still in its infancy in the world of fashion design, it has enormous potential, Maeda said. “As the technology continues to evolve, September’s fashion shows promise even more technological breakthroughs,” Maeda added. “It will be fascinating to see how designers use technology to push the boundaries of craftsmanship and expand the boundaries of what we normally associate with traditional luxury.”
In this regard, notable events on the horizon for Maeda include Matthieu Blazy’s work at Bottega Veneta, which “shows that innovation and craftsmanship can coexist harmoniously,” and Coperni’s upcoming show at Disneyland Paris, which Maeda said is “poised to deliver a truly unforgettable fashion moment by combining technology and fashion.” This incorporation of AI technology won’t be entirely new, however. Machine learning has already been employed to create AI-generated prints in Collina Strada’s Spring 2024 collection, for example, while at Christian Cowan’s NYFW show, the designer’s Primrose dress, created in collaboration with Adobe, caused a stir, Maeda pointed out. What new forms AI X Fashion can take remains to be seen.
Generational value shift impacts daily life
Developments over time will also be evident in fashion through shifting generational values, changes that will influence and shape product trends in particular. Maeda said: “Brand loyalty has changed dramatically in recent years as companies recognize that a household name alone no longer captures the hearts of millennials and Gen Z.”
Maeda noted that such changes have directly influenced the rise of daywear, sportswear and casual clothing, which ultimately reflect “the modern consumer desire for practicality” and thus a “renewed interest in the ‘everyday’ and a pragmatic approach to how women actually dress” that has seen a resurgence in designer showcases. What this could mean for SS25 is collections that “truly embody the essence of contemporary fashion,” Maeda added, with a preference for a “more flexible and authentic approach to style over rigid sartorial norms.”
An example of this was previously highlighted by Melissa Moylan, VP of womenswear at Fashion Snoops, who said in her SS25 trend seminar that customers’ increased value orientation saw them supporting brands that reflected their larger beliefs. As such, she believes that as part of her ‘Devotion’ trend, there could be a re-examination of traditionalism and ritual, which can particularly take shape in the form of rebellious disobedience. Willy Chavarria previously provided an example of this during his FW24 show, where he presented a collection inspired by clericalism as a way to comment on his religious upbringing and challenge traditional brand perceptions.
A new era of quiet luxury
Every time you think the quiet luxury trend has faded away for good, it makes a resurgence of significant proportions. This ability to remain relevant has arguably earned it the status of a more established part of fashion—less of a passing trend and more of a sign that consumer preferences have officially shifted for the long term. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t evolved, though. “While minimalism will always have its place in fashion, I think the current iteration of ‘quiet luxury’ has less to do with aesthetics and more to do with the principles of simplicity and exclusivity,” Maeda said.
While hints of such a progression may have already been evident in The Row’s photo-less Fall 2024 show or Alaïa’s intimate runway at its Paris boutique, Maeda foresees this return to exclusivity only becoming more apparent in the season ahead. She elaborated, “While this approach may seem elitist, it serves as a reminder to cherish the experience itself — observing, wearing, and feeling the emotional resonance of exceptional garments. This perhaps represents the true evolution of quiet luxury: an intimate connection with the clothes and the unique feeling they evoke when worn.”
Takeover of ‘Trad wife’
Elsewhere, a trend that has dominated online discussion in recent months is that of ‘Trad Wives’, a term that refers to women who practice traditional gender roles, often reminiscent of the 1950s. While in some ways a controversial topic and certainly a departure from the aforementioned trends, there’s no denying that this ‘domestic’ aesthetic has sparked curiosity among the general public. It’s one that Maeda also believes could find its way onto the catwalk, albeit in a form that remains closer to fashion with less emphasis on the typically controversial values.
Maeda said: “Another big trend I expect to see on the runways is a return to feminine ideals through uber-feminine designs that embrace the idea of domesticity – a concept that is gaining popularity through trends such as the ‘trad wife’ movement. This modern take on reclaimed femininity offers a new narrative for womenswear, updating elements of girliness (like bows, balloon skirts) with everyday pieces that evoke sentimentality. Think wrap skirts that resemble aprons, layered skirts meant to resemble undergarments, and tablecloth-style attire.”
This article previously appeared on FashionUnited.com Translation by AI and editing by Caitlyn Terra.
