With its versatility being embraced by over 450 renowned designers worldwide, today's new fur reigns supreme in the fashion kingdom.

Evans McDaniel, an independent consultant for the International Fur Trade Federation, has identified the key trend concepts for the coming season. For next winter we are seeing a new influence emerge from the shadows of a crumbling global economy, one which leaves the fast-fashion vagaries of the cult of youth behind in favour of the older, more assured and discerning customer. This forward thinking woman is not afraid to combine classic and retro influences with a subtle sense of the future. But our new consumer has another side too. She recognizes the comfort in everyday pleasures and the nostalgic aesthetics of simpler rustic lifestyles – a way of living all too at odds with our current fast-paced ideologies. These influences translate into the following trends:

ELEMENTAL

Elemental is a gentle move on from the Metropolis trend that was pinpointed for autumn/winter 2008. For next season we take the look one step further, drawing on the purity of line and the perfection of human form offered by classic Greek and Roman sculptures. The look is undeniably modern but fuses the technical aspects of performance sportswear with graceful fluidity of classicism to move on last winter’s more structured angular looks.

PLANETARY NIGHT

The past and the future collide for our second trend of the season. Here, the mood is dark and subtly subversive with a time capsule of influences. We have a look that can be clearly defined as retro futurism, with a result that is unexpected and surreal as we move into a world where there are no boundaries as masculine becomes feminine.

EARTHLING

We are living in stressful times with technological overload making it more and more difficult to switch off. Maybe it is time to unplug ourselves from our technology obsession in favour of more homely pursuits. To reinvent and put a value on arts and crafts or handcrafted products with a sense of whimsical humour. Earthling trend is a refreshing redefinition of fashion, combining the simplest shapes with natural fabrics like fur and cotton, and adding print and pattern with a humorous approach.

Fur Industry Resource Cente,February 8/2010