Style 23FW Youth Style Forecast Overview_Theme 1. Hybrid

15 Jul 2023
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According to insider.com, 71% of Generation Z (ages 18-24) respondents stated that they would consider resigning or think about resigning if they had to return to the office. Nearly half of them prefer a hybrid work environment that combines remote work and commuting, while only a quarter prefer working exclusively on-site. When choosing a job, they prioritize work-life balance. As they desire a balance between work and life, the need for casualization continues to persist. However, as the confident and energetic young Generation Z and the oldest members of Generation Alpha, known as Zalpha, who are true digital natives, start creating a new scene in youth culture, we can also observe the vibrant and creative hybrid "nomcore" gaining attention. It aligns with the trend where the anticipation of the worst economic situation and the convergence of an endemic meet experimental and everyday elements.

On TikTok, Birkenstock's Boston Clogs were recommended as a business casual item, and Nike's "Never Done Playing" campaign, launched just before Back to School, precisely targets these Zalpha individuals by combining the energetic joy of everyday life and sports. Various hybrid looks also appeared in the FW22 collection.

The Y2K style that swept through 2022 is expected to continue exerting its influence as a nostalgic trend of stability and comfort in the highly uncertain year of 2023. Searches related to Y2K have skyrocketed by over 7,700% since 2020 and continue to remain at their peak. On TikTok, hashtags such as #y2k, #y2kaesthetic, and #y2kfashion have surpassed 7 million views. The girl group New Jeans, who rose to the top tier immediately upon debut, is also associated with the symbolism of Y2K aesthetics. Fashion items like crop tops, low-rise pants, wide-leg pants, Ugg boots, and leg warmers have gained popularity, along with flip phones, wired earphones, and headphones. Even in recent Pre-fall 2023 collections, brands like Diesel and Blumarine showcased a plethora of denim items influenced by Y2K. It is expected that a twist on Y2K items, incorporating them into one's unique style, will receive attention as a newer version. A TikToker's video of transforming Ugg boots into ankle boots by cutting off the top part has garnered over 4.7 million views.

 According to multiple surveys, 37% of Generation Z regularly engage in online shopping for entertainment purposes, while Snapchat users with AR lenses incorporate AR into their daily lives. Furthermore, 92% of Generation Z wants to use AR for shopping. The line between reality and virtuality is becoming increasingly blurred. In 2021, the cumulative views of ZARA's New York SoHo shop's window animation video exceeded 17 million, gaining immense popularity. This video, which appeared like a 3D advertising panel, was actually a CGI animation commissioned to motion designer Shane Fu. It captured the phenomenon of blending fantasy and reality effectively. SuperPlastic, a digital entertainment company well-known for Gucci NFTs, opened a flagship store in SoHo in July last year, bringing digital characters into the real world. The character products of Janky, Guggimon, and Dayzee, previously seen online, were presented alongside holograms and galleries. Meta-mall platform 'Passker' showcased digital content that combines W-concept's 22FW products with hotspots. Recently, Louis Vuitton experimented with the use of Snapchat's AR lenses to create an immersive experience where Kusama Yayoi's dots cover landmarks, exploring the potential of reality expansion. These developments are expected to have a significant impact on the fashion industry, both directly and indirectly. 


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