What term is used for the practice of predicting fashion trends?

The practice of predicting fashion trends is referred to as fashion forecasting. This term encompasses a systematic approach to anticipating the styles, colors, fabrics, and overall direction that fashion will take in the future. Fashion forecasters analyze various factors, including cultural events, consumer behavior, market research, and historical data, to make informed predictions about what will be popular in the upcoming season.

Fashion forecasting is essential for designers, retailers, and marketers, as it helps them align their offerings with consumer demand and stay ahead of the competition. By accurately predicting trends, businesses can optimize their product lines and marketing strategies to appeal to their target audience effectively.

While the other terms mentioned—style analysis, fashion research, and trend identification—relate to aspects of understanding and analyzing fashion, they do not specifically capture the comprehensive and anticipatory nature inherent in fashion forecasting. Style analysis typically focuses on assessing existing trends, fashion research involves gathering information about fashion phenomena, and trend identification might refer to recognizing current trends but does not imply the predictive aspect that forecasting entails.