Earlier in the year MFN set about conducting a live project based around trend prediction, with level 2, Design Studies Cluster students from the University of Salford.

The brief was made up of two components, conduct and exhibit a set of thorough research and then once all avenues had been explored, go onto to produce a number of trend predictions based on the research that had been collated.

The trends did not have to be fashion specific, the aim was to take into account global and local issues, ranging from the worlds first black president, to the economy, to what was happening at Islington Mill. The recession dominated the research and heavily influenced the trend predictions with themes emerging that have a 'back to basics' attitude.

From undertaking the project the following trends emerged:

• Make Do & Mend

Based around repair, re-use, structural, weaving, cityscape, heritage.

• We’ll Meet Again

Based around repair blighty, romance, independent, faded, local, sprirt.

• The English Gentleman

Based around smart, modern, courteous, elegant, charity shop, attitude.

• tr:END

Based around real, mark-making, art school, experiment, paint, end.

• An Olympic Trend

Based around armchair, pattern, community, street party, tea, the Union Jack.

• All My Favourite Things

Based around emerging, keepsake, generational, value, ornament.

• Homeward Bound

Based around craft, experiment, shabby-chic, sustainability, flowers, community.

• Diamonds & Pearls

Based around sustainable, create, playful, craft, sentiment, adornment.

 Project feedback suggests that the students very much enjoyed the input from MFN as it assisted them in developing professional relationships and gave the module a dynamic edge. The trends focus encouraged the students to become increasingly outward-looking and responsive to the macro and micro environments in which they operate. The project helped them understand how these environments shape and inform their design processes, particularly with regards to global events like the economy - which obviously reflected in the resulting trend predictions. It also increased their awareness of how trends influence design in general and not just fashion design.

Overall, almost everyone involved throughly enjoyed the project, and as a result a couple of students are interested in directing their level 3 work in the trends area as a result of the project and pursue related careers.

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