2025 is shaping up to be a year of significant change and innovation in the fashion industry. Some of the key trends and developments will be driven by sustainability, technology, and a focus on DIY creativity. For example:
Sustainability
- Circular Fashion: Brands will increasingly adopt circular business models, focusing on recycling, upcycling, and repair to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.
- Biodegradable Materials: Innovative materials like mushroom leather and seaweed-based fabrics will gain popularity, offering eco-friendly alternatives to traditional materials.
- Ethical Sourcing: Transparency and ethical sourcing practices will become even more crucial, with consumers demanding information about the origins of their clothing.
Technology
- AI and Machine Learning: AI will play a more significant role in design, production, and personalization, enabling more efficient and customized fashion experiences.
- Virtual and Augmented Reality: Virtual fashion shows and virtual try-on experiences will become more common, offering immersive shopping experiences.
- Smart Clothing: Wearable technology will continue to evolve, with smart clothing that can monitor health, track fitness, and even adapt to changing weather conditions.
Creativity/DIY/Personalization
- Creativity and Personalization: DIY will play a bigger role as people explore their own unique style preferences and the “No New Clothes” pledge becomes a bigger trend.
- Cost-Effectiveness: DIY projects often offer significant cost savings compared to buying retail.
- Inflationary Pressures: Rising costs of living and services will motivate people to take on DIY tasks.
We’re Thrilled to Share What We Have in Store for 2025
Sustainability: Upcycling/Restyling
Many of our subscribers are ‘upcycle-conscious’ and have asked us for lessons that explore how to draft ‘cut & sew’ knits. For example: what to do with that old t-shirt that has a hole, a stretched-out neckline or one with a big stain? Don’t throw it out! Learn how to restyle it into a newer/more updated version. We created an entire cut & sew knit series that starts with how to draft a library of knit slopers from measurements: Drafting a Women’s Fitted Stable Knit T-Shirt from Measurements, Drafting a Women’s Relaxed Fit Knit T-Shirt from Measurements, Converting a Stable Knit T-Shirt & Sleeve Sloper to a 4-Way Stretch Knit Sloper and Drafting a Legging. Once you have drafted these key slopers you will be able to create tons of different tops, dresses, skirts and knit pant styles.
In addition, we’ll be rolling out a plethora of new cut & sew knit lessons including: how to draft a racer back tank top, a camisole with a shelf bra, and a variety of knit necklines such as, asymmetric, off the shoulder with and without a cuff, cowl, turtleneck, built-up neck, V-neck, boatneck, and a surplice under bust wrap.
Technology: AI Fashion Design & 3D
One of the most significant impacts of AI on fashion is in the realm of design. Traditionally, designers relied on inspiration, intuition, and manual sketching to create new collections. However, AI-powered design tools are now enabling designers to explore new frontiers of creativity. By analyzing vast amounts of data on trends, consumer preferences, and historical fashion, AI algorithms can generate innovative designs, patterns, and color palettes. This not only accelerates the design process, but also opens up new possibilities for unique and personalized fashion pieces.
In our July 2024 blogpost entitled, Meet Anna Leighton: AI Fashion Design Pioneer we introduced Anna and her first lesson: Introduction to AI Fashion Design. Anna credits her technical fashion training at Otis College of Art & Design as the key to her success. So, for all the fashion designers out there who think that AI will replace them, Anna is the first to tell you that AI can be used to enhance, rather than replace, human designers. Anna is hard at work on creating her AI series for UoF. Her next lesson, AI: Getting Started with Prompts, and AI: Midjourney- The User-Friendly AI Platform, will launch in early 2025.
We also believe that 3D design software will continue to be a major factor in helping us reach our goals of a greener planet by making less samples and by pre-selling clothing and accessories from 3D avatars on a computer, iPad, phone and/or from a virtual runway show. And, as the fashion industry is finally accepting the use of 3D software, they have asked us to add additional 3D design lessons. We will therefore be adding to our existing Browzwear and CLO 3D software lesson offerings in 2015.
Creativity/DIY/Personalization
For the ‘on-the-table’ aficionados, we have listened to your suggestions and will be launching additional intermediate and advanced-level drafting and draping lessons in 2025 including: Drafting a Jumpsuit, Drafting & Draping a Multi-tiered Dress, Draping a Princess Panel Sundress with a Handkerchief Hem, Drafting Women’s Palazzo Pants – Two Variations, Drafting a Women’s Bell Bottom Pant and Drafting a Side-Pleated Culotte.
We would like to wish everyone a very happy 2025. And, remember to be true to your creative selves and design responsibly!
