The founder “Amy Leverton” of the trend forecasting company “Denim Dudes” returned to attend the online edition of the “Denim Kingpins” fair in April to share four upcoming trends for the AW22 season. 

Worn-Core

“A mixture of Norm-Core with vintage”. It’s inspired by that cabio of pace that over the past year has forced many of us to slow down and appreciate the things that really are important.

Worn-Core “perhaps” the most commercial of trends is inspired by circular design in Core wardrobe pieces that can be worn over and over again, as the industry looks for ways to increase the life cycle of clothing and create pieces with deeper meaning.

Elevate

“While this trend is still based on the principles of classic denim costumes, we see a host of emerging brands challenging silhouettes, details and processes to create new animated denim icons,” by Leverton.

The trend features truly unique pieces and collectibles that showcase a great level of craftsmanship. This includes elevated essentials of understated luxury, sleek designs with many layers and distorted jeanswear. The color palette is very blue, with dark and deep tones such as real blues and purples, as well as some pops.

Purposeful

It is inspired by some fashion industry approaches to “sustainability”, “social responsibility” and “conscious consumerism”. 

The trend features a host of gender-neutral appearances and raw, natural designs as we seek inspiration from nature to create more sustainable pieces with more meaning.

The color palettes are also inspired by nature as upbeat colors and relaxing natural earthy tones, as well as indigos and tie-die.

00s Reclamation

This very creative and at the same time fun trend, driven by youth, looks back to the late 90s and early 00s, but is reimagined through a Gen-Z lens.

The result of this trend: a very unique mashup of the old and the new, since retro vintage looks meet futuristic and digital influences, or “retro-futurism”.

This trend presents a wide mix of inspiration ranging from the ironic to the political. Expect a thick aesthetic, utilitarian pockets, bold prints, and a polarized color palette that includes digital neons.