From the new neutrals and Italian red nuances to cozy greige and refreshing natural tones: FashionUnited takes a look into the future with Belgian trend researcher Hilde Francq at its semi-annual ‘Colour Trend’ seminar and highlights sociological and lifestyle trends and the color palettes of spring /Summer season 2025.
‘Unwork’
Under the motto “less expectations and more self-care” is the first trend that Francq summarizes under the title ‘Unwork’. It focuses primarily on comfort and tactility. This is evident in the combination of neutral tones that exude calm and the use of contrasting shapes and materials that are inspired by the comfort of your own bed: here are quilted, soft handbags from the Belgian label ‘Kassl-Editions’ and jackets Michelin style in the foreground. Swedish fashion brand Acne Studios also took the audience on an imaginary journey at its recent runway show, where guests were seated in a relaxed setting with sewn pillow sculptures.
‘Pretty Posh’
Scandinavian minimalism and streetwear are passé as Italian luxury leads the trend of returning elegance and etiquette alongside artisan lace and silk work. A mix of floral opulence and eye-catching details such as piping, seams and buttons evoke the Italian Riviera. A lot of effort goes into bright color combinations and an ode to ‘Dolce Vita’ takes you back to times gone by, but with a wink to the present.
‘Gene crossing’
The saying “rules are made to be broken” is more true than ever in the fashion industry. Brands try to shock and stand out from the crowd, but things are returning to normal: gender-neutral and ageless fashion with the ‘one-size-fits-all’ philosophy is a widely accepted phenomenon. Examples of this are the Belgian fashion houses Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten. They have long since proven that fashion is individual, but at the same time can also signal a statement against the mainstream. It is a means of breaking down the meaning of femininity and masculinity – an effort that fits with the transience of fashion trends. Neutral tones in combination with strong, eye-catching colors are the focus here.
‘Mindflex’
In addition to using natural tones, we also experiment with recycled fabrics, reused parts and materials made from everything nature provides. This preference is no coincidence: in times when ‘fashion’ and ‘sustainability’ are mentioned in the same breath, it is essential to treat the earth responsibly.
The ‘Visionary Lab x Levi’s x Vitra’ project, in collaboration with the US fashion group Levi’s and the Swiss furniture manufacturer Vitra, took this message seriously: the exhibition ‘Icons Re/Outfitted’ at the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven, Netherlands featured used ones Vitra chairs given new life with reused denim – a creative way to extend the life of textiles. Discarded cars are also an inspiration in fashion thanks to British fashion designer Jeremy Scott. For the upcycling platform Re:Style from the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai, rear-view mirrors were even incorporated into outfits alongside glittering dresses and strapless pieces made from cables.
“The color trends of SS25 are just as contrasting as the lifestyle trends. From unproductivity as a new luxury to the return of refined Italian craftsmanship. From greige to lime green. Contrast is the measure of all things.”
This article was written by Christin Ho and originally appeared on FashionUnited.nl. Translated and edited by Heide Halama.