COSMIC & CAUTIOUS
For the first time in several seasons of New York Fashion Week, we are seeing not what’s comfortable, but what’s optimistic and hope for the future. Despite new found happiness, there’s still careful planning in the air while unrest and uncertainty are still taking place outside our door. As we are willing to let go of a little nostalgia from past decades, and we don’t know what the future holds thanks to current events, we seek fantasy that inspire us to move forward. MMGNET and Fashion Snoops kick off 2025 with Women’s trends of fall/ winter 2025/26 that forecast a new future of fantasy and awareness. The 4 design aesthetics include Aether, Indulge, Essentialism, and Mythos.
AETHER
For all the past we see GEN Z holding onto even if they weren’t born yet to see it, they’re now facing an uncertain future that forces them into the future. This is Aether, finding inspiration within the universal cosmic unknown because of drastic climate events such as snow in Florida, and LA wildfires. The mood includes uncharted terrain involving padding, softer molded shapes, futuristic silhouettes, spiky surfaces creating illusion, and multi-dimensional silhouette. Colors for Aether range from crisp navy, cool mint, glazed cherry, washed black, steel, and smoothie. Contemporary key items include draped top, hyper mineral column, funnel neck puffer, and flared utility pants. Young contemporary are hyper crop turtleneck, gathered mini dress, quilted bomber jacket, and strap jeans. And accessories include metallic moto shades, chrome hard case, gradient glass wedge, and orbital arm cuff.
INDULGE
The digital experience is suppose to be beautiful , taking us to new heights. However, being bombarded by emails, texts, news alerts, and stats can cause us to unplugged at any given moment. The idea behind Indulge is detach from the daily routine, and find your creative freedom through rich textures bringing on childlike joy of individuality that respond away from AI. Leather, lacker, lux, and glossy finishes are the celebratory mood taking place with Indulge, hopping onto elevated colors and enhanced scenery with surreal silhouettes. The exuberant use of color with Indulge includes urgent orange, suncloud, Jupiter, crushed cherry, lime zest, mulberry wine, and emerald green. Contemporary includes sculpted top, hourglass coat, long fringe dress, and power suit. Young contemporary involves peplum top, sheer slip skirt, structured denim blazer, and winter hot pants. Accessories include gilded heel bootie, velvet box pouch, door knocker earrings, and emerald oval frames.
ESSENTIALISM
It’s been a true favorite, and a new lap of luxury for all our good friend with GEN Z, Essentialism, or more like it, minimalism. Now if you don’t know what luxury this is, it’s little luxury, taking key essentials and turning them into a novelty, adding an extra special touch to everyday needs. The mission here is to enjoy luxury without the guilt, maximizing the minimalist experience. There is a very simple mood for Essentialism, it’s taking simple fabrics, garments, and accessories and building them stronger to last long, elevating denim to a whole another level, creating sustainability, and turning basic into lavish. Colors of Essentialism includes soy sauce, ganache, pink noise, brown butter, blue star, putty beige, chili oil, and milk frost. Contemporary includes shrunken cardigan, office cargos, shirt dress, and leather trench. Young contemporary involves leather shirt, trouser jeans, illusion sweater, and fitted vest. Accessories are embossed ballet flat, tied shoulder bag, embellished sock, and metal dome earring.
MYTHOS
Ethics, whether we like it or not, this aspect still plays a role in how we measure our life decisions and who we choose as friends and lovers. It all comes down to Mythos, emphasizing the consciousness of humanity, taking time to understand indigenous people, plus the folklore behind our culture and roots. We all want to consume more responsibly, take a deeper dive into the meaning and story behind the blouse or bottom we wear, and what kind of responsible fabric sourcing is involved. Tactile techniques like weaving are one part of the Mythos mood, seeing natural materials be elevated, the indigenous folklore be shown off more, and pieces appearing more like artifacts. A rich aesthetic like Mythos must carry a robust grit of colors such as opulent green, olive terrain, sophisticated sage, puddle, coral glaze, crushed cherry, and wild poppy. Contemporary Mythos include three piece knit set, cape blouse, duster dress, and hybrid cape. Young contemporary Mythos are fringe knit sweater, barrel jeans, country parka, and leather trouser. Accessories involve open weave boot, patchwork tote, encased natural stone, and paisley headscarf.
CONCLUSION
Overall, there’s still uncertainty lingering in the air with our climate, whether it’s climate change seen down in Florida or LA, or unsure where the economy’s gonna go next. But as we come to terms with reality, and accept certain outcomes, it’s now an opportunity to finally plan a more optimistic future. This is a world where we draw on cosmic fantasy for inspiration, a desire to reattach to our childhood, enjoy luxurious essentials, and learn of the backstory behind our sustainable coat. While we and GEN Z hold onto the past of the 1990’s and 2000’s while paying homage to our ancestors, we’re now ready to move onto new futuristic aspects due in part to exploring solutions to our problems. In this new era of cautious optimism, we hope to find more liberating opportunity to give a little more to ourselves while becoming a little more richer.