Trends in the fashion sector: an analysis of their use and paths for the researcher profession

Abstract

Trend Studies are still going through their consolidation process as an academic approach. In contrast, trend research as a professional area is more consolidated and represents an essential link in the fashion chain, as they are helpful for the strategic planning of companies in the sector. The researcher’s professional practice is constantly changing, as is the phenomenon of fashion, and follows changes in the technological, social, artistic, and cultural spheres that impact societies. Therefore, this paper is part of an exploratory research, with a qualitative approach, developed during an ongoing doctorate in fashion design. Through the methodologies of literature review and in-depth interviews, we present an overview of themes/subjects that have contributed to the redirection of the practices in trend analysis (especially those directed to the fashion sector) developed by the trend researcher as a professional.