Style 23FW Men's Style Forecast Overview_Theme 1. Re-Creativity

19 Jul 2023
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Young generations who enjoy nature are increasingly dedicating efforts to protect the environment and live in an eco-friendly manner. As they embrace activities like surfing to raise awareness about ocean pollution and participate in hiking while picking up trash, their commitment to preserving nature grows stronger. Moving forward, they will support sustainable brands and opt for products that reduce carbon footprint, influencing the attitudes of the Millennial and Generation Z demographics.

In line with this trend, outdoor brands and material companies are making various sustainability efforts. Particularly, sustainable options for outdoor materials are being offered. Lenzing, a global producer of specialty fibers from wood, has launched the Tencel Tree Climate fabric collection to provide functional and sustainable options for outdoor apparel. This new Tree Fabric collection redefines the sustainability of performance outdoor fabrics by offering moisture management, optimal breathability, and reduced carbon footprint. Moreover, Adidas TERREX has incorporated the new and more sustainable Gore-Tex membrane ePE material. This lightweight yet durable material is PFC-free and contributes to lowering carbon footprint.

Along with the eco-friendly movement, the fashion industry is expected to continue embracing the trend of secondhand fashion, especially among young generations. The rise of #thriftcore, where young people in the US and Europe embrace wearing vintage and secondhand clothing, has already gained significant attention. TikTok videos related to this trend have surpassed 188,000 views, making it a prominent emerging trend to watch for in 2023.

Annual predictions for the secondhand market in the US indicate continuous growth in both traditional secondhand products and resale, with expectations for further expansion in the future. Luxury brands, including Balenciaga, are also entering the resale market, forming a consensus that the resale market actually fuels consumption.

The appeal of purchasing secondhand items lies in the ability to mitigate fashion's impact on the environment, save costs, and maintain an individualistic wardrobe without sacrificing personal style. Moreover, economic downturns are likely to further drive this trend as consumers seek more affordable and sustainable alternatives.

Fashion that utilizes discarded or about-to-be-discarded materials through creative ideas and artisanal craftsmanship continues to receive significant attention. Elisabet Stamm, founded in Copenhagen by Elisabet Stamm in 2022, was honored with the AW23 Zalando Sustainability Award during Copenhagen Fashion Week. STAMM impressed the judges with its use of sustainable materials, including recycled down for padding jackets and Indian Khadi, a heritage fabric handwoven from organic cotton.

Renowned for recycling old sneakers to create new ones, Helen Kirkum unveiled her first ready-to-wear sneaker collection at London Fashion Week. She repurposed discarded single sneakers from Traid Warehouse to create upcycled uppers, which were then hand-stitched by the organization Love Welcomes, providing livelihoods to refugee women.

Similarly, Children of the Discorance's 23FW collection is built on a mix of upcycled new textiles, this time using surplus military fabrics as the foundation. These examples showcase how upcycled fashion is blending creativity, sustainability, and social impact to make a positive difference in the industry.


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