Consumers’ conflicting concerns are top of mind for some trend forecasters looking toward Spring/Summer 2025. Considering the demand for eco-friendly and ethical products as well as price considerations, SS25 seeks to find a balance between these incompatible demands.
Kai Chow, creative director of consultancy firm Doneger | Tobe, gave guidance for color, trend, textile and apparel concepts with a lush description of the key themes for SS25 to a standing-room-only audience at Texworld New York City earlier this week.
Solace
Relaxed. Gender fluid. Minimalist. “Solace” is the season’s first major story, focused on simplicity and refinement as well as the quality of materials used.
“Solace is comfortable garments, focused on the quality of the materials,” Chow said. “This trend is relaxed, gender fluid, minimalistic and special attention to soft and well-crafted details.”
Comforting blues and quiet earth tones drive this idea, emphasizing indigo hues. Fabrics are simple and ecological—think elaborated blends of natural cotton, wool, linen or hemp, recycled polyester as well as Econyl and Tencel. Denim garments will feature herringbone, railroad stripes and patchwork details as well as ozone technology and laser washes. Prints and patterns will see biocolored abstracts, hand-painted tiles reminiscent of the Mediterranean and simple embroidery.
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“Tailored detail has returned,” Chow said. “Very important to look into more construction for clothing. It’s minimal, but at the same time, oversized, too. It’s not necessarily very stylish; the look is simple.”
Fragrance
Romance. Artificial. Natural. “Fragrance” celebrates the “cultural significance” of nature—specifically flowers—and offers the opportunity to straddle the confines of creativity and engineering, sustainability and innovation.
“The trend develops more than fabrics that transcend the boundaries of science and design,” Chow said. “So, the story [has] more neutral tones of colors by bringing in all the new developments for fabrication; [it’s] very fresh and new.”
Calmness green and joyous blooms are the key color trends, emphasizing earthy shades and bright pastels. Fabric choices will be sustainable, ultra-fine and sheer, blending the artificial with the natural via a “reimagining of craft in a technological age.” Think Ecovero, Lyocell, Tencel Luxe and Modal as well as linen and cotton canvas featuring printed chiffons and drop needles.
“Modern fabrication…at the same time, they can be functional,” Chow said. “It’s [sustainable] by bringing in eco-dye wash, vegetable dye and even digital printing.”
Details will include micropleating, crochet lace and eyelets. Prints and patterns focus on blurred, expressionist florals and watercolor imagery. The idea is for the fabrics to be light and fluid as well as supple and supportive.
Amuse
Simple. Playful. Functional. “Amuse” prioritized the simple pleasures and the need to unwind from everyday stressors while still searching for ecological solutions to the industry’s issues.
“We’re looking for a way to enjoy simple things and have fun in a quiet, almost childish mood,” Chow said. “It’s a gourmet lifestyle with a design aesthetic and playful accent.”
Modern pastels and energetic brights are the essential colorways, à la Miami in the ‘80s. Fabrics should be easy and functional, complementing elevated pieces with more relaxed styles. Artificial materials like polyamide and latex will shine, as well as natural fibers like linen and summer wool. Prints and patterns are bold, colorful and striped—merging advanced with basic and playful with graphic.
“At the same time we bring in a bit more playful folkloric in here,” Chow said. “It’s a lot more than the classic folkloric we’ve seen in the past. Bright colors mix in a graphic way by using all the prints and patterns to showcase the story [as] playful and happy.”
Perspective
Artificial. Imaginative. Illusionistic. “Prospective” blurs what’s old with what’s new for a future of strong contrasting colors and “unparalleled freedom.”
“Artificial intelligence has become a huge part of our everyday lives,” Chow said. “This trend is full of creative combination in which the past and future, East and West merge [and] see us into the future.”
Fairy illusion and Sci-Fi darks dominate the color trends, featuring cherry red and deep emerald shades as well as mustard yellow and mint green. Fabrics should merge manmade with futuristic in new-age silhouettes with industrial finishes. Industrial leather, synthetic satin, translucent jersey and metallic chiffons are key materials. Prints and patterns are surrealistic and artificially natural, taking advantage of cellophane and jacquard detailing as well as sequins and elaborate appliques.