From political discussions to sustainability issues, the world is worried. These themes are reflected in the art and fashion world in many ways. But how do these industries deal with such explosive challenges? According to trend researcher Christine Boland, the fashion industry is facing a change characterized by healing and regeneration. “It’s about drawing wisdom from traditions, feeling joy, allowing humor and playfulness. That’s exactly what we need so urgently these days,” she explained during her trend webinar “Design Language Summer 2026”.
Boland presented a trend analysis that combines tenderness, happiness and rough charm for summer 2026. As in their forecast for autumn/winter 2025, imagination plays a crucial role. Your visions for the coming trends can be divided into four central themes.
Christine Boland predicts FS26 with flowing shapes and visual security
The focus of their trend prediction, which focuses on healing and regeneration, is the first trend movement: a world full of flowing shapes. This trend is inspired by human emotions and complemented by artificial intelligence (AI). Round shapes create visual security.
In the fashion world, this trend is reflected in simple clothing items that do not seem revolutionary at first glance. But their true value lies in the craftsmanship, the familiar fabrics and the gently flowing shapes. Pleats and oversized silhouettes play an important role, as does the use of high-quality transparent fabrics. “It’s about investing in ‘Quiet Luxury’ – a visual feast for the eyes, without sensory overload,” summarizes Boland.
The Italian labels Max Mara and Anteprima have already presented this trend on the catwalks with “Healing Aesthetics”. The color palette includes pearl and shade tones, which are complemented by occasional strong color accents. The color white plays a central role.
Simple shapes and sophisticated ensembles for SS26
Whether it’s political unrest or fear of global warming – people long for peace. But how can we find these? By sticking to what has proven itself. In the creative industry, for example, young designers take up traditional techniques and give them an innovative touch. This is how pure art is created – reduced and without unnecessary frills. Those unfamiliar with the design world may find this primitive, but the opposite is true. According to Boland, it is a theme that combines simple shapes with sophisticated ensembles.
In fashion, this approach is evident in garments with a wrap look, high slits and clever layering. “Crafted Minimalism” exudes an elegant restraint, but occasionally makes targeted statements. The theme takes up old crafts and reinterprets them. The French luxury brand Hermès, for example, devotes itself to centuries-old braiding techniques and transforms them into prints for modern creations. The Italian label Roberto Cavalli and the British designer Victoria Beckham are also relying on this trend.
The color palette focuses primarily on dark tones such as dark red, dark brown and black. These are complemented by off-white and matt gold nuances, which sometimes turn green.
Rebellious fairytale princesses and Bohemian Bandits
Unfortunately, femicide is still a topic that regularly concerns the global media. Given the current circumstances, Boland describes the world as a man’s world. But that doesn’t mean that women will withdraw – on the contrary: they will shake things up. In the trend topic “Reconsidered Romanticism” we meet rebellious princesses, Pirate Queens and Bohemian Bandits. Femininity is celebrated, but not with staid outfits or Barbie-like looks. Instead, women rely on strong, expressive styles in which the fairytale princess also finds her place.
This theme draws inspiration from the era of captains, treasure chests and uniforms. It’s about joy in life, self-confidence and attracting attention. In the summer of 2026 we will therefore see many sculptural forms. Materials such as velvet, brocade and fabrics with emblems play a central role, complemented by details such as buttons, collars and ruffles. “It almost seems as if they had reached straight into a treasure chest,” describes the trend researcher.
Deconstruction and reconstruction take center stage, with outfits that reinterpret historical uniforms. Ordinary fabrics in romantic pastel tones are used. This trend can already be seen on the catwalks of luxury brands such as Chanel, Burberry and Loewe.
Looking for uniqueness with AI in mind
If there is one thing where time never stands still, it is artificial intelligence. Nowadays there are hardly any people or companies that do not make use of it in some form. Technology has long since become deeply rooted in the fashion world. Although it makes many work processes easier, it is not yet fully accepted everywhere. According to Boland, there is a creative backlash in the design world. Craftsmanship is being put to a new test as AI greatly simplifies the process of making things. Artists and designers are therefore increasingly looking for true uniqueness.
However, this does not mean that AI is rejected – on the contrary: it serves as a source of inspiration. Iconic art movements are making a comeback and are being combined with each other in exciting ways. “It may look like it’s created by AI, but in fact it’s not,” Boland explains. The theme “Artistic Intelligence” is characterized by a surrealistic touch. In this trend, it is crucial that the handwriting of the creators remains clearly recognizable. Dries van Noten provided a successful example. The Belgian label enlarges a flower to the extreme and creates a print that creates an animalistic effect. Labels like Anrealage and CFCL are also taking up this trend by implementing the imaginative possibilities of AI in terms of shapes and colors.
One thing is clear: Boland’s analysis lets the sun shine in a cloudy world. If you use your imagination to its fullest, you will see numerous opportunities to calm down, be inspired or gain new energy in a tense environment. From flowing shapes and sophisticated ensembles to Bohemian Bandits and animalistic effects – it’s all about “Creactivism,” the apt title of Boland’s presentation. How do you implement the four trends?
Interested in recording Christine Boland’s Dutch trend webinar? Then click here.
This article previously appeared on Fashionunited.fr and was created using digital tools translated.
FashionUnited uses an AI-based language tool to speed up the translation of articles and improve the end result. They help us to make FashionUnited’s international reporting quickly and comprehensively accessible to a German-speaking readership. Articles translated using AI-based tools are proofread and carefully edited by our editors before they are published. If you have any questions or comments, please email [email protected]