Utopia

Utopia: live in the present. look to the past. discover the unknown.

Overview

Utopia explores the fusion of past and future through a retro-futuristic lens. Drawing parallels between the cultural zeitgeist of the 1960s and today, this forecast highlights themes of space exploration, escapism, and the endless pursuit of innovation. A revival of retro-futuristic ideals, this forecast explores bold silhouettes, sleek mod influences, and innovative materials, bridging the past’s vision of the future with today’s evolving fashion landscape.

Team

Megan Piston
Erika Gesell
Courtney Deviney

Tools

Role

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
iMovie

Fashion Forecasting
Video Editing

the ask

Forecast a theme for the Fall/Winter season of 2024, drawing on research to predict trends within colors, fabrics, patterns, prints, trims, and details.

Meet the Team

Madison Lueck
Megan Piston
Erika Gesell
Courtney Deviney

The Process

picking a theme

The first step in the project was establishing a clear theme for our forecast. This involved analyzing the current zeitgeist and anticipating its potential developments. Our team landed on a futuristic theme infused with retro-futuristic concepts, particularly those inspired by the 1960s. The parallels between today and the 60s were striking, with both periods marked by space exploration, technological optimism, and a fascination with escapism.

color forecast

With the theme defined, we developed a color forecast informed by a moodboard we curated. The forecast featured two distinct palettes: one reflecting the iconic primary colors of the 60s, and another incorporating contemporary, “techno”-inspired hues to capture a modern, forward-looking aesthetic.

textiles forecast

Next, we identified fabrics that would bring the theme to life. Our selections included six textiles: two innovative or trademarked materials, two from CottonWorks, and two additional fabrics chosen through research. Complementary prints, patterns, trims, and details were also chosen to enhance the overall concept and create cohesive storylines across the collection.

looks

Finally, we sourced street style and runway references, as well as key items, to substantiate our forecast. Extensive research ensured that the selected looks and pieces aligned with our thematic vision, providing a strong foundation for the final deliverable.