TRENDCAST
NEW YORK — Recyclables, punk rock, martial arts, fencing and toys are some factors expected to define activewear trends for 2002.
That’s what Emanuelle Linard, manager of Edelkoort Inc.’s U.S. office, Trend Union, sees on the horizon. Based in Paris, Edelkoort is a consulting company to fashion houses and industrial companies, and publishes forecasting publications.
“We believe young people are going to be more individualized. This go-get-it girl is more creative and inventive,” she said. “She’s looking for more personal and new ways to express her body and herself.”
Activewear is expected to take on more of a “trendy streetwear” look instead of a sports-specific one.
Teenagers are combining activities, said Linard, adding that she recently saw teens in Manhattan mixing hip-hop dance with basketball moves, and others practicing capoeira, a form of Brazilian dance, on monkey bars.
Linard highlighted six key trends for activewear: post-industrial, punk, martial arts-inspired, virtual, movement-dancing and toy-related. The first is “a little recycled” looking, inspired by washed canvases, grays and browns, she said. Punk centers on destroyed or unfinished garments like vintage looks with holes. Martial arts-inspired draws from loose-fitting attire for aikido, tae kwon doe, judo and yoga.
Virtual features quilted, rounded, ergonomically correct styles with computer-generated designs, while movement-dancing has a “streetwear ballerina” look, Linard said. The toy-related group plays up bright primary colors similar to shades favored by Bart Simpson, she said.