STUDY OF AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP MODEL FOR FORECASTING COLOUR AND MATERIAL TRENDS IN TEXTILE, FASHION, AND LIFESTYLE PRODUCT DESIGN FOR THE AUTUMN/WINTER 2027/2028 SEASON

Abstract

This research clarifies an international workshop process for forecasting design industry trends, specifically focusing on colour and material trends for textile, fashion, and lifestyle product design for the Autumn/Winter 2027/2028 season. Addressing the limitations of traditional, localized forecasting methods, the study developed a qualitative case-study approach involving 15 expert organizational representatives from national creative industry bodies. Data were collected during a three-day international workshop in China, using trend mood boards, observation forms, field notes, photographic records, presentation documents, Post-it note records, a mood board analysis, visual analysis, thematic synthesis. The improved process transitioned from informal, moderator-led brainstorming to a structured, semi-formal international platform that integrated digital media with physical mood boards. Crucially, it introduced individual written contributions to mitigate dominant-speaker bias and ensure cross-cultural communication equality, alongside deliberate grouping to capture diverse expert perspectives. Data were analysed through content analysis, visual clustering analysis, thematic synthesis, triangulation, peer debriefing, member checking, and expert consensus validation.

Using this refined methodology during a three-day intensive workshop, the findings are presented at two levels: the process level, which proposes an international workshop model consisting of national concept presentation, cross-cultural analysis, market and material analysis, concept refinement, and consensus-based creation of new trend directions; and the data level, which identifies “Trust in Senses” as the seasonal concept and four colour and material directions for Autumn/Winter 2027/2028. The concept emphasizes the renewed importance of physical sensation, material authenticity, and emotional resilience in post-digital consumer contexts. Rather than focusing on fragmented sub-trends, the overall material and colour trajectory reflects expert interpretations of consumer needs, ranging from restorative calmness and nature-oriented materials to vibrant, expressive chromatic escape. The findings suggest that the model can support design education and professional trend forecasting by translating culturally diverse expert inputs into shared colour and material directions.