by Flora Zhao

Editors note：

Cotton Incorporated has recently released the 2017/18 A/ W Trends which contains the following five themes： Sensibility， Noncommittal， Slow-Mo， New Frontiers， and Transcendental.

sensibility

Sensibility celebrates the imperfect but the authentic， reveling in loyalty and vulnerability. Learning from and experiencing life instead of superficially curating a look or experience. A new social authenticity becomes prevalent as we tire of creating an image and our failures and defeats become badges of honor and courage - something to be celebrated and learned from. Efficient and socially conscious manufacturing and business practices create loyal customers who promote these brands and ideologies creating a sort of grassroots PR team. Fabrics for this group are best represented in updates to cotton favorites such as nautical stripes， cable knit patterns， and denim. In the shirting market， traditional menswear patterns interpreted into more casual fabrications and hand-crafted influences are on trend.

Noncommittal

An inspiring， visual story that encourages us to experiment and to re-define what is art and beauty. Making temporary changes to our style or beauty routine elicits innate creativity as we are not bound by permanent results. Ideas and products that have fleeting lifespans and evolving personality are gaining traction. The art world is experimenting with Snapchat for exhibitions as architects are designing spaces that are not committed for singular uses， but are multi-functional spaces and easily adaptable to change. Infinite possibilities abound as creative minds are encouraged to experiment more and worry less about results. Fabrics for this group have bold and undefined prints and patterns with vibrant graphic inspiration. Constructions range from un-finished to “haphazardly designed” as textual surface interest is key.

Slow-Mo

Slow-Mo encapsulates a more thoughtful and measured approach to living life. As we sort through an abundance of messaging， we look to tailor what we want to be receptive to. Unplugging， relaxing， and being more in sync with our environment are the predecessors to a creative life. As we slow down and filter out digital noise， we piece together what was once fragmented， while welcoming more anonymity and leveraging newfound reflection to our advantage. Many of the fabrics in Slow-Mo have a pleasing tactile quality such as fleece and heavily brushed fabrics for a cozy effect. Raw textures are seen in nubby looks and needlepoint or punched techniques giving a wellworn appearance.

New Frontiers

The future is now. Natural resources are becoming more scarce effecting industries in positive ways because we have no choice but to innovate. Everything from what we eat to where we live and shop will be revolutionized due to necessity， as modern innovators surrealistic concepts become realities. New Frontiers fabrics include athletic-inspired mesh and jersey modernized by clear coatings. Unexpected combinations of denim and spacer knits create futuristic streetwear.

Transcendental

A new age of enlightenment looms as we seek heightened levels of consciousness to conquer complexities of modern life. Alternative or new age therapies and rituals bring a new sense of awareness and connectivity with our personal lives， occupations， and creative selves. We try to engage with our spiritual self through nature， mysticism， meditation， and other unconventional therapies. As the digital onslaught continues， these old world techniques will be used on their own or in tandem with technology as they are embraced by the mainstream. Our outlook is less pragmatic and more enchanted. Fabrics for the Transcendental group leverage the color palette and novelty yarn effects. Mercerized yarns and cotton blends create dark and mysterious luster in fabrics. Deep and dramatic texture in puff prints， flocking in bottomweights and complex dobby structures also prevail.