As the first half of 2019 passes in the blink of an eye, we are now starting to gear up our wardrobes for the autumn and winter seasons. The fashion industry is already developing next season’s items based on what was presented at the fashion weeks around the world. At Lenzing, as a producer of textile fibers, we always follow the latest fashion trends and we would like to present you with two trends forecast to be the hottest for the upcoming autumn/winter season this year.

Firstly, sustainability continues to be one of the most discussed topics on the runway and fashion brands keep raising consumers’ eco-consciousness by showcasing their creativity through seamless integration of fashion and sustainability. Secondly, next season’s colors reflect an emergence of confidence, a thirst for liberation and a desire to realize our own individualized unique identities, echoing the need for greater consciousness in how we live our daily lives.

Sustainable fashion as an evergreen fashion trend

Across the world - New York, London, Paris and Milan - these cities and their fashion weeks are showcasing more and more sustainable fashion from top designers and brands. Earlier this year, New York Fashion Week hosted the first-time fashion initiative - Fashion for Peace, a collaboration between Sadhguru, a yogi and visionary, the Isha Foundation and renowned leading designers to promote conscious and sustainable fashion. This special event highlighted Sadhguru’s initiatives to promote natural textiles, revitalize the traditional crafts that are on the verge of extinction, and raise awareness about the impact of the fashion industry on our health and the environment.

In addition, on the runway at Paris Fashion Week, multiple brands showcased creative collections made using sustainable fibers. Stella McCartney presented dresses made from recycled t-shirts alongside "conscious couture" made from eco-friendly cotton and viscose from sustainable forests. Alexander McQueen used scraps of fabric from the floor of mills to create 3D rosettes on skirts.

Lenzing is committed to promoting sustainability through technological innovations using wood-based fibers. Our TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers with REFIBRA™ technology involve upcycling a substantial proportion of cotton scraps e.g. from garment production in addition to wood pulp. This technique and the fibers produced have been utilized by many brands - including Mara Hoffman, one of the pioneers of sustainable fashion. She has been using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers in her ready-to-wear collections since autumn 2018.

Powerful colors can be sustainable too

Each season the Pantone Color Institute launches the Pantone Fashion Color Trend Report. For autumn/winter 2019 the report highlights 12 stand-out colors that were also easily spotted at the fashion shows. From the list for the upcoming autumn/winter season, confidence-building shades, such as fiery Chili Pepper and the deeper Biking Red are labelled as the most popular ones for this season. Both of these colors allow the wearer to express confidence and individuality.

The Chili Pepper color recently dominated the Paris Fashion Week, especially on the runways of Christian Dior and Balenciaga, while also being incorporated into popular check and tartan patterns. It was picked out as “a spicy red, which adds drama and excitement as it stimulates the human senses.” The Biking Red color was described as “adventurous, strong and powerful”. This deep red color was spotted in collections from brands such as Longchamp, Marc Jacobs and Tom Ford.

Color dyeing is a critical step when producing fashion items, especially to achieve these particularly powerful colors. However, the process can have a detrimental impact on the environment. Committed to driving sustainability, Lenzing offers TENCEL™ Modal fibers which are produced using Eco Color technology. The innovative production process not only helps to save up to 64% water and reduce 90% of chemicals, but also makes the color longer-lasting. These fibers create a product that not only looks great but is a conscious decision to do right by the environment. Using Lenzing’s fibers allows sustainability and fashion to go hand in hand with no compromise on quality.

As you get ready to wear the latest fashion trends, keep in mind Lenzing’s wide range of sustainable fiber choices which can make you look good and feel great from head to toe. If you want to learn more about sustainable fashion, please check out the #Make It Feel Right campaign, supported by the TENCEL™ brand.

Now go jazz up your wardrobe with striking sustainable fashion for autumn/winter 2019!