CONTRICTED ELEGANCE

FASHION TREND FORECASTING FINAL PROJECT

“CONTSTRICTED ELEGANCE”

For this project, I explored “Yearning” as an emotional and cultural concept, translating it into a visual narrative through curated images, fabrics, fashion, food, art, and more. The project focused on identifying subtle cultural shifts and expressing emotional undercurrents through imagery that could inspire future fashion trends.

This project was a collaborative effort by me and my peers Jordan Burke and Louis Pratt Together, the team worked to translate the emotional theme of “Yearning” into a cohesive trend vision for SS2026, combining shared creativity with individual expertise to form a unified final presentation.

THE PROCESS

Create a collaborative Pinterest board and curate images that capture the emotion of yearning through fashion, art, lifestyle, and culture. Focus on visuals that express nostalgia, softness, and emotional depth. Summarize the overall feeling and recurring themes that emerge from your selections.
- Use mood board to identify the target market and build a detailed buyer persona (age, lifestyle, style preferences, values).
- Research cultural and social influences that connect to “Yearning”
- Develop a color palette and select key textiles/materials that reflect your theme’s mood and season (soft, tactile, comforting fabrics).
Research cultural movements and design influences that align with the theme of yearning, such as a return to simplicity or emotional connection through craft. Select textiles that evoke softness and nostalgia, and build a cohesive color palette of six to eight shades that visually express the mood of the concept.
Translate your research into visual stories by creating collages that capture silhouettes, materials, and moods tied to “Yearning.” Highlight subthemes or moods within the concept, and reference designers or collections that embody similar aesthetics. These collages should illustrate how yearning could inspire future fashion trends.

SKILLS

Trend Forecasting & Research –

Analyzing cultural, emotional, and aesthetic shifts to predict future fashion directions and define the “Yearning” concept for SS2026.
Visual Communication & Creative Direction –

Curating imagery, building moodboards, and creating collages that translate emotional ideas into a cohesive visual narrative.
Consumer Insight & Market Analysis –

Identifying target markets and buyer personas to connect the “Yearning” theme with real-world fashion consumers and industry trends.
Graphic Design -

Used layout, typography, and visual composition to create cohesive collages and moodboards that clearly communicated the emotional tone of “Yearning.”
Collaboration -

Worked as part of a team to merge different creative perspectives into one unified trend direction. Contributed ideas, aligned visuals, and helped shape a consistent narrative for the SS26 theme.

OUTCOME

The Yearning trend forecasting project allowed me to translate emotion into a clear, research-driven fashion direction for Spring/Summer 2026. Through visual storytelling, material exploration, and collaborative concept development, I produced a cohesive trend narrative that reflected emerging cultural moods and consumer desires. Completing this project while studying abroad in Florence, Italy, under the guidance of Professor Livia, strengthened both my creative perspective and my understanding of global trend influences. The final outcome is a thoughtfully curated concept that blends aesthetic sensitivity with market awareness, demonstrating my ability to transform cultural insights into actionable fashion forecasts.