SATRA holds first fashion trend seminar

Members attend new event in Kettering to learn about future trends in materials, shapes and styles.

As anticipated, SATRA recently held a new event for members, with the aim of bringing trend forecasting straight from the Italian 'fashion capital' of Milan to Kettering, UK. The seminar was organised in partnership with Milan-based footwear and leathergoods consultancy Ars Arpel Group. The Ars Arpel Group research team is a mix of journalists, photographers, footwear and leathergoods technicians, designers, 'cool hunters' and material experts that work together on daily basis to investigate the latest trends for forthcoming seasons.

Twice each year, Ars Arpel uses its research to produce a trends guide for the autumn/winter and spring/summer seasons, and also presents its trend investigation to the most important manufacturing districts in Italy, Mexico and the USA. Such trends – observed worldwide – can then be developed into tangible designs and, ultimately, collections for sale.

For this inaugural SATRA members' trend forecasting seminar, three visitors from Italy – Orietta Pelizzari and Stefano Migliavacca from Ars Arpel Group and Elena Marradi (head of product development of Milan-based Schmid) came to the UK to share their fashion industry knowledge. The delegates included footwear designers, shoe buyers, footwear manufacturers and university lecturers.

A chance to feel the future

After SATRA’s Christine Powley-Williams welcomed all in attendance, Mr Migliavacca – international promotion manager at Ars Arpel Group – briefly outlined the purpose of the special event and introduced Ms Pelizzari and Ms Marradi. During the morning, Ms Pelizzari provided an impressive insight into trends for collections that research has indicated are expected to become popular for the autumn/winter 2017/2018 season.

For the seminar, these trends were concentrated into four distinct collections, each covering a different fashion style. Tables packed with examples of materials and accessories were dedicated to each of these collections and, after an in-depth consideration of each trend in turn, the delegates were encouraged to examine the samples and ask questions about their application. During each of these opportunities, Ms Marradi also provided valuable information on how her company was intending to incorporate the materials in designs for the new season.

Delegates expressed a positive reaction to the morning’s seminar, and mentioned that it was good to be able to discuss future trends as a small group. We will be holding a similar event for spring/summer 2018 trends in Kettering, UK on Tuesday 24th January 2017.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 6 of the September 2016 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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