Statement prints and patterns were certainly important on the recent A/W 21-22 catwalks, even though prints are continuously giving way to new textures. Livetrend’s Trend Tracker has also detected the relevance of printed denim on Social Media with a +162% index of growth YoY. Using geometrics or florals, current prints are aiming to create 2D motifs for a feeling of dimensionality. With aspects of more eco-friendliness in mind, laser prints are a favored option to create statement styles for the next season. Not only offering a wide range of creative interpretations, the less chemical process enables you to position your brand as not only conscious but forward and tech-thinking. In terms of motifs, commercially successful florals are a key pattern for laser prints. Such printed florals provide a sense of comfort but experience new freshness by integrating a digital edge. The taste for geometrics is also suitable for holograms. Don’t forget to transform your logo in graphic all-over textures to assure its commercial appeal. For more trendy clients, laser-printed matching sets can be favored as they incorporate a bold, joyful and full-look style.

Quilting and Padding is a relevant cross-category trend, which has emerged from the needs of protection and an interest in hand-made products. The softness of quilted denim is not just literally providing a smooth hand-feel, but similarly embracing a rather mild and calming look. The fabric is proposing versatility for outerwear-pieces as it transitions easily from early autumn into full-winter seasons. Apart from that, a blanket-like effect feels cocooning and enhances the volumes of enlarged and cropped jackets or vests. Quilted denim is maintaining a contemporary edge when used in more surprising contexts. Consider Ganni and how they demonstrate novelty via quilted denim skirts.

Patchworks are a stable trend on Social Media. People want to express their individuality and position themselves as mindful regarding the environment and sustainable practices. A new aesthetic that feels more DIY and crafted has entered the market and taken-over a generation. The patchwork denim trend will keep being a key finish for the coming season. The aesthetic of authentic vintage patch and repairs is providing inspiration here. The literal reworking of retro archive pieces, of which some also combine different materials with denim, are highly popular across the younger audiences. For a more wearable and commercial product, find tonal indigo panels that embrace a similar re-used feel but maintain a well-finished and more sophisticated look.

The Raw Denim styles, which are currently gaining prominence on Instagram embrace this direction and explore the symbiotic relationship of nature and society. Consumers are making fresh connections and embrace a ‘less is more’ approach. Investing in better and longer lasting products seems key. The raw denim trend promotes responsible fabrics and a low-impact production, since it eliminates chemical washes and harmful dyes. The more rigid feel of raw denim matches well with more structural garments and is able to create voluminous silhouettes. While the resurgence of raw denim brings back a retro feel, the sharp outlines of top products, like dresses and enlarged pants or outerwear, maintain a more fashionable appeal.

The concerns surrounding the environmental impact of denim products results in a focus on neutral palettes. Ecru and Off-White nuances are one of the current top trends, which will continue to drive an un-dyed and bucolic story for the next winter season. Light denim elevates more workwear-driven designs towards a more feminine and soft direction. It’s homespun identity also creates a more intimate feeling. A subtleness that works well in new norm-core office and home-wear styles, but also transitions easily in to highly requested evening styles. Instagram is already fond of the versatile ecru denim and getting ready for a dreamy winter season next year.

The mood-boosting spirits of the past fashion shows, as people are looking forward to going out again, are translating into vivid acid washes. The style is successful in youthful pastel colors, as well as in traditional grays and blues. Overdyes can even update the look. The acid treatment is predominantly used on pants and jackets. Tapered 80’s jeans or slim 90s-fits in this wash feel most authentic, as the acid look underlines the vintage and worn feel inevitably linked to the history of those pieces. Colored Acid Wash can be interesting for prefall pieces, meanwhile snow effect will be adding texture to transeasonal Eighties shaped denim. Cropped Denim Jackets are another trend style for this resurfacing finish. Instagram is showing that while embracing a slightly worn feel, acids spark a maximum level of joy and fresh digital appropriation.

An environmentally conscious client is demanding for new, more sustainable dying technologies that enable less polluting practices at scale. However, those less harmful methods should not have to compromise current waves of more eclectic and individual looks. Brands like H&M or IsKo are already showing how to switch to flowers, herbs and vegetable waste to generate color and dyes. New all-over abstracts are now resonating a surreal and phygital style over Instagram. At the same time, the nature-driven processes result in slightly irregular aesthetics and embrace more unique structures. The resulting dreamscape dyes are a safe , yet edgy trend for FW22, mainly aimed at a Gen-Z digital native, yet mindful consumer.

Tie & Dye is maintaining its online-success, but experiences a solar update and new faded look. With a continuous need for screen-visibility, expressive dying techniques, that introduce color highlights and uniqueness, continue to make an impact on Social Media. However, the new tie & dye denim looks feel more soft as gradients are becoming more balanced and fading effects are moving to larger scales. The sophisticated look is generated by simply setting highlights with the dyes. Dipping techniques put hemlines and outlines of the garment in focus and thereby create individual yet tranquil pieces.