WORKNIKS PROPHESY-PROOF

By Zach Brock

Prophecy>Proof: MintModa’s forecasts for FW18 have come to fruition! The Workniks TrendTale accurately anticipated what the fashion conoscenti are wearing this fall. This style sector places an emphasis on timeless patterns, business silhouettes and authority. A mix of sturdy worker basics with office-ready tailored pieces are taking over the streets.

The updated workwear trend is a reflection of our drive to stay productive as a society and a need for clothing that works as hard as we do. Sturdy suitings and tough outerwear, like the ever-renewing trench coat, perfectly capture the “ready-to-work rather than ready-to-wear” movement seen on runways such as Calvin Klein and Céline. In essence, functionality has become just as important as fashionability.

The Workniks can also be seen as a glimpse into a future where the lines between “seasons” blur and climate no longer limits us from wearing what we desire. As technology advances, the need for temperature-dependent clothing may cease to exist. This will without a doubt lead to a uniformity within fashion which can already be seen manifesting in the Workniks. Neutral, earthy colors and seemingly genderless application of the unique styles found within this trend exemplify this.

WSJ Magazine March 2017 Andreea Diaconu by Daniel Jackson
Calvin Klein FW17
Vintage Workwear Details
MOTO GUO FW 16 “THE PENCIL PUSHER” FIRST EDITION CAMPAIGN
Shepard Fairey – Protect Each Other
Wunderkind FW17
Calvin Klein FW17
R13 FW17
Loewe FW17
London Fashion Week Street Style – September 2018
Milan Fashion Week Street Style – September 2018
Milan Fashion Week Street Style – September 2018
London Fashion Week Street Style – September 2018

MORE & MOIRÉ

Moiré, that weave or pattern with its distinctive woodgrain or “watered” effect, is making a subtle but strong impression for next season. Designers used it for matched sets, silky tops, lustrous pants and lingerie looks, as well as for footwear and accessories. The lustrous fabric lends itself to petal colors like pink and mauve, metallic effects, and constructions using opposing grains. Most important is a casual attitude, offsetting moiré’s formal roots.

Marine Serre Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Hellessy Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Moon Young Hee Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Thom Browne Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Marine Serre Fall/Winter RTW 2018

THE LONG & SHIRT OF IT

 

The long shirt makes an appearance in some of the most forward-thinking collections for next fall, underscoring the current movement toward modesty as well as renewed interest in work-appropriate clothes. The silhouettes are mostly slim yet easy, with extra-long sleeves emphasizing the laid-back feel. Designers showed these in geometric prints or solids, and added novelty in the form of super-elongated long collars, draped effects or zip closures. The season’s silky scarf accessorizes, either casually wrapped or knotted under the collar to create a soft necktie.

Chloe Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Loewe Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Lemaire Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Loewe Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Jacquemus Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Lemaire Fall/Winter RTW 2018

JAGGED EDGE

Another classic pattern getting an update this season is the houndstooth check. Along with its traditional cousins (like tartans and buffalo checks), houndstooth looks fresh when enlarged into medium or giant scales. The jagged motif is used for everything from neat coats to tailored capes, from wide-leg pants to string-bikini bottoms. There are even printed versions for silky tops or dresses.

Simonetta Ravizza Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Dolce Gabbana Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Delpozo Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Loewe Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Natasha Zinko Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Jour Ne Fall/Winter RTW 2018

PICTURE THIS

Any garment — sweatshirt, dress, tee or skirt — can become a canvas for eye-catching prints for next fall. Digital printing techniques encourage giant allover motifs rather than traditional placed designs or small repeats. Imagery comes from past and present fine art, snapshots, nature photos, vintage illustrations or tropical scenics. Black grounds add more drama for an ironic “painting on velvet” feel.

Marco de Vincenzo Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Agnes B Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Stella McCartney Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Adam Selman Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Lacoste Fall/Winter RTW 2018
R13 Fall/Winter RTW 2018

THE GREAT MISMATCH

 

The trend toward wearing mismatched earrings (which started several seasons ago on the Celine runway, among others) is gaining momentum. Designers showed disparate earrings with a common theme — like big pearls in contrasting settings or two different leaf shapes — or combined individual styles almost randomly for interesting juxtapositions.

Coach Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Jacquemus Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Lemaire Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Richard MaloneFall/Winter RTW 2018
Valentino Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter RTW 2018

CORDUROY SEASON

Nothing says fall like the plush ridges of corduroy. The sturdy fabric conjures back-to-school season, especially in autumnal shades like olive, rust, tobacco and pumpkin. The newest cords are wide-wale, super supple and velvety soft. Use for cozy coats, tailored suits, demure dresses and classic corduroy trousers — with or without high waists cinched by self-belts.

CSM Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Jour Ne Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Lucio Vanotti Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Ulla Johnson Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Paul and Joe Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Erdem Fall/Winter RTW 2018

NOT YOUR GRANDMA’S INTARSIA

 

Intarsia sweaters have long moved past sentimental holiday signifiers and pretend folklorists. The newest designs are big and bold, often showing off a craftiness that includes trailing threads or “reverse side” effects. Some sweaters mix intarsia with knitted appliqués or yarn embroideries, adding dimension to placed motifs.

Coach Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Dior Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Valentino Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Isabel Marant Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Calvin Klein Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Gucci Fall/Winter RTW 2018

NUDE SKIN

Leather and pleather abound for next fall, looking freshest in cosmetic shades like beige, blush, mocha and camel. Real or faux skins in this new palette are used for for everything from trench coats to tailored suits, soft tops and crisp shirtdresses. Surfaces can be matte, buffed or high-shine. Super-supple qualities are shown off with plenty of gathers, ruched details at sleeves or channel elastic at neckline or waist.

Gabriele Colangelo Milan Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Milan February 2018
MSGM Milan Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Milan February 2018
Michael Kors New York Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 NYC February 2018
Vionnet Milan Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Milan February 2018
Adeam New York Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-1019 NYC February 2018
Tods Milan Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Milan February 2018

Gabriele Colangelo Fall/Winter RTW 2018
MSGM Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Michael Kors Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Vionnet Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Adeam Fall/Winter RTW 2018
Tods Fall/Winter RTW 2018

MYSTIC BLUES

 

PROPHESY/PROOF: THE MYSTICS — Saturated blues grace the runway this fall, reaffirming the Mystic Trend Tale in MintModa’s FW18 forecast. While the mystical ultramarines and deep cobalts lend themselves to lush velvets and sheared furs, they look particularly wearable and fresh this season when used on casual silhouettes in workwear fabrics.

Chanel Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February/March 2018
Akris Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February March 2018
Balmain Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February/March 2018
Maison Margiela Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February March 2018
Akris Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February March 2018
Rochas Paris Womenswear Fall Winter 2018-2019 Paris February/March 2018