Tag: different

Trend forecasting

Posted on by philipdodson

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I was listening today to one of my favourite podcast, 99% Invisible, and the discussion was centred around the very influential and well-used trend forecasters like WGSN.

Many big brands use such companies to get a steer on what’s the next big thing, especially in fashion and other retail.

The challenge is, though, that as these companies have become more and more relied upon, it is almost difficult to know who is influencing who. Is it the research or is it the trend forecasters that are deciding what’s next?

As the never ending cycle of changes in trends has developed, clearly to ensure we are throwing away and constantly updating to the latest fashion in whatever, more of us have grown tired of this manipulation and have wised up.

So increasingly the ‘latest’ trend is becoming a flop.

If you want to stand out, create something different and make your ‘art’ for your customers, not the whole world, you need to ditch the analysis, the trends, the stats, the data and build your thing from the heart, from instinct, from inspiration.

We all buy based on often things we can not describe and it is irrational, the decision comes from what speaks to us. Not from some mass produced trend.

Stand out and ditch the trends if you want to make a splash. After all, no matter how you try to ‘dress it up’ the mini-skirt has been reimagined many times.

Going along for the ride

Posted on by philipdodson

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If you feel life is a ride, that you seem to be just going along for, for the sake of it, then ask yourself when was the last time you did something truly bold? Something different? Something a little risky? Something crazy?

When was the last time you shouted out loud standing in the pouring rain? When did you last jump up and down in a puddle? When was the last time you ran with all your power down the street? When did you last jump off a boat into the sea? When did you last ride a roller coaster or go to the fair? When did you last do a headstand? When was the last time you did something that was not your normal way? When did you last laugh until it hurt? When did you last break the rules? When did you last switch off your routine life and break out of ‘jail’ and do something wild?

That doesn’t mean that you have to become someone else, always be you, but don’t just sit on the bus and ride it, make a splash. I’m not saying go out and rob a bank, not that kind of crazy rule breaking.

We’ll have eternity to be normal, follow the rules and stay on the bus. Life is for the unexpected and magical things that comfort zones don’t allow for.

Break the rules.