Two years ago we partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University’s Fashion Design and Merchandising School to work with fashion students to bring our annual design forecast, Perspectives, to life.  That class, made up of undergraduates were tasked with photographing stone surfaces that appealed to them, digitally printing them on fabric, and then articulating their interpretation of the trends into junior garments.  The results were stunning, and we captured their final looks in an incredible photo shoot in our Boscobel Quarry.  To read more about this experience, please check out theses posts: Fashion Inspired by Stone, More Stone-Inspired Fashion, Striking Stone Mosaic Interpreted in Fashion, and Profound Design Insight from VCU Fashion Student.

This year, we are excited to announce our partnership with the Evening Wear Class, under the tutelage of Professor Henry C. Scwartz.  This year, Henry and I reviewed the seven different trends we are forecasting for 2012/2013 and decided to present just one trend to the students so that the final collection could be a complimentary ensemble with unique interpretations by each student.  The direction we landed on was – Tranquil – a story that reflects our instinct for survival amidst turbulent times, leading to a strong desire to create protective, gentle, cocooning environments that enhance well-being and contentment.  In an increasingly networked world the yearning for a private sphere is paramount and we find fresh stimulus from slowing down. We find that in calm there is strength and Tranquil Story translates into the freedom to luxuriate, relax and rejuvenate.

In Fashion, the Tranquility story is all about lightness and freedom as well as bundling and protection.  Floaty, fluid, transparent textiles create a feeling of dreamy movement and appear hardly there. These are very simple designs, but not basic; an architectural lightness provides structure and intelligence to the aesthetic.  There is less of everything – draping and layering is delicate and purposeful, embellishments are minimized, and pale, calming colors prevail. We also yearn to bundle ourselves up in oversize garments just like we would in our bedcovers.  These silhouettes, similar to cozy cocoons, are made of fluffy natural fibers, worsted wool, fur and felt in neutral tones that soothe us and bring peace to our way of life.

Stay tuned for our next post where we’ll share our experiences selecting fabrics and textiles for the students at Mood Fabrics in NYC.

You may also be interested in:

1. 
   Profound Design & Insight from VCU Fashion Design Student
2. 
   2011 Perspectives – Charles Luck’s Architectural & Design Forecast Premiering February 9th!
3. 
   Countdown to Charles Luck Georgetown Opening!