WESTERN ESOTERICISM
FASHION TREND FORECASTING
FASHION TREND FORECASTING
“WESTERN ESOTERICISM”
I was tasked with creating a complete Spring/Summer 2026 color board using WGSN’s Color Forecast 2026 as a foundation. Working with a partner, we selected a brand and developed a six-color palette that included Pantone codes, unique color names, mood imagery, and a written concept direction. I chose Diesel because it’s my favorite luxury clothing brand and because it originated in Italy, making it especially meaningful to work with while studying abroad.I then elevated one shade as the Macro Color of the Season and created a secondary board to support it. All boards were designed horizontally in Canva and exported as a final PDF.
I completed this project with my partner, Jordan Burke. We collaborated on the overall concept, theme direction, and brand alignment. I took the lead on creating collages, and shaping the visual story, while we worked together to ensure our color palette and mood accurately reflected Diesel’s identity and our chosen theme,
Western Esotericism.
THE PROCESS
Pantone books & trend magazines at the Fashion Room Bookstore in Florence as part of our SS26 color research.
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My partner and I chose Western Esotericism because we wanted to create a color palette that aligned with Diesel’s bold, rebellious brand identity while pushing it into a more futuristic, spiritual, and visually unique direction. The theme allowed us to merge mysticism with technology-inspired tones, creating something trend-forward but still true to Diesel’s raw energy.
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We studied the WGSN Color Forecast for 2026 and analyzed Diesel’s past collections, noting their use of metallics, denim tones, and high-intensity colors. This helped us understand which shades would feel on-brand and which new directions could add depth.
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While studying abroad, our class visited the Fashion Room Bookstore, where we examined Pantone books in person. This hands-on experience helped us select precise shades and understand the tonal relationships within our palette.
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We curated six colors, wrote original names for each, and ensured every shade reflected both Diesel’s identity and our theme’s mystical-futuristic mood. We reviewed all Pantone codes and matched imagery directly to the chosen tones.
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I created collages using original images—avoiding presentation screenshots—to build a clean, cohesive visual story. Each board integrated color, texture, and mood to clearly communicate our direction.
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We elevated Rustic Amber as the Macro Color of the Season because it represents transformation, grounded energy, and futuristic warmth, perfectly balancing Diesel’s edgy aesthetic with the spiritual tone of our theme.
SKILLS
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Trend Forecasting -
nterpreted WGSN’s SS26 Forecast and current cultural directions to identify colors, moods, and themes that align with both Diesel’s identity and broader industry shifts.
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Pantone Color Research -
Studied Pantone shade families in detail, comparing swatches in physical Pantone books during our field trip in Florence. Matched each color precisely to mood imagery and ensured accuracy in tone, lightness, and saturation.
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Graphic Design -
Created visually cohesive boards and collages using Adobe Photoshop and PowerPoint. Focused on layout, spacing, typography, and color consistency to build a clean, professional final presentation.
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Visual Storytelling -
Selected original images that communicated our theme, Western Esotericism, while reinforcing Diesel’s edgy and futuristic energy. Built a narrative through color, texture, and symbolism.
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Collaboration & Communication -
Worked closely with my partner to develop ideas, divide tasks, and align on creative decisions. Combined different perspectives into one unified, cohesive concept.
OUTCOME
This project helped me strengthen my skills in color theory, brand interpretation, and visual communication. Working in Florence with Professor Livia gave me firsthand exposure to global color forecasting practices and professional research tools. The final result was a cohesive, visually strong palette that captured Diesel’s energy while presenting an original, forward-looking concept for SS26.
In addition, Diesel later released their Spring/Summer 2026 collection in September 2025, just a few months after we developed our forecast in June 2025. The collection featured a color palette strikingly similar to our forecast and conveyed a similarly futuristic aesthetic, with resembling colors, highlighting the relevance and accuracy of our work.