Guest Lecture on: “Forecasting the Future of Style”

School of Design

Department of Fashion & Textiles

Report on Guest Lecture

Name of the Department: Department of Fashion & Textiles

Name of the Activity: Guest Lecture on: “Forecasting the Future of Style”

Date: 24th September 2025

Venue: Draping Lab

Time: 1:45 pm

Resource Person: Ms. Neeru Takshak

No. of Participants: 15 (B.Sc. Fashion Design Semester III & V)

Objective: The objective of the guest lecture on fashion forecasting was to familiarize students with the principles and practical applications of predicting future style trends. The session aimed to explain the design process used in forecasting, such as mood boards, colour palettes, fabric swatches, and silhouettes, with design process. The lecture demonstrated how market research, theme development, and costing decisions are guided by trend analysis. It further sought to highlight the importance of understanding target customers, sustainability, and pricing strategies in building a fashion brand. 

Description:

The Department of Fashion & Textiles organised guest lecture on “Forecasting the Future of Style” on September 24, 2025, in Draping Lab. The resource person, Ms. Neeru Takshak, founder of the sustainable fashion label Neeru Takshak, shared her expertise on trend forecasting and its application in contemporary fashion design.

Ms. Takshak emphasized that trend forecasting is the backbone of any successful collection. She explained how designers analyze market data, cultural shifts, and consumer lifestyles to predict upcoming trends. She elaborated on the concept from ideation to conceptualization using design boards i.e mood board, inspiration board, colour board, swatch board, and silhouettes. She also emphasized that the design layout plays the pivotal role in designing a pattern on the fabric. She demonstrated how inspirations are translated into tangible design directions. 

Illustrating the forecasting process, Ms. Takshak explained her Spring–Summer 2025 collection, inspired by seashells. She described how the concept evolved into block-printed patterns, how colour palettes were chosen, and how blocks were hand-prepared. She linked the soft, oceanic theme to the growing trend of nature-driven, slow-fashion aesthetics identified during her research work. She also explained the costing process, underscoring its role in pricing strategies aligned with market forecasts. The lecture gave students practical insight about forecasting fashion trends and building a brand. It also motivated them to gain diverse experiences before starting their own ventures. 

Learning Outcome:

The lecture not only deepened knowledge of fashion forecasting but also inspired students to combine creative vision with market analysis to create future-ready, sustainable fashion brands. The session was very informative and inspiring. Students learned about the importance of trend forecasting, the design process, and how work experience helps in shaping a career. The insights into sustainable fashion and slow fashion practices encouraged students to think creatively and responsibly about future designs. Overall, the lecture encouraged students to gain diverse industry experiences and analytical skills to confidently forecast trends and create market-relevant, future-ready collections.

Teacher Coordinator 

Dr. Sulekha Ojha 

Head, Sr Assistant Professor

Department of Fashion & Textiles