Women's Textiles Forecast

S/S 25: Digitopia

Digitopia embraces AI and tech advancements that are
inspiring women’s textiles, resulting in dreamy pastel hues,
sensorial aquatic textures, shadowy patterns and ghostly
transparencies

Helen Palmer
07.07.23 - 14 minutes

Clio Peppiatt
Introduction
Digitopia embraces otherworldly aesthetics and new possibilities in design,
driven by the rise of AI, virtual realms, and a growing focus on creativity as a
problem-solving strategy. It evolves from our A/W 24/25 forecast trend,
Expanded Imagination.

WGSN’s three S/S 25 forecast trends expand on the macro concepts in our STEPIC
reports (covering Society, Technology, the Environment, Politics, Industry and
Creativity). Digitopia focuses on Technology and Creativity, taking the sublime,
sometimes strange visuals emerging from AI as its starting point.
The ethereal landscapes and impossibly smooth forms generated by the likes of DALL.E
2 and Midjourney are already changing the way we see the world, and this will become
more embedded as a design influence in 2025. Expect to see a flourishing of products
and spaces (both physical and virtual) that dissolve the distinction between fantasy
and reality, embracing dreamy colours, liquid lines, sensorial textures, exaggerated
shapes, and cartoonish or characterful elements.
Beyond synthetic flights of fancy, Digitopia will also see the rise of more
sophisticated, engineered and precisely personalised products and spaces that
reduce waste and supercharge innovation. Look out for designs, aesthetics and finishes
that explore the interplay of light and shadow, as well as mirrored or ghostly designs that
seem to disappear within their environment. We will also see the rise of intricate,
digitally crafted designs and products that recall the elegance of classicism, or the
ornate flourishes of Art Nouveau.
At its heart, Digitopia is powered by great leaps in how we view and interact with the
Ryan Parry
world around us. As such, it presents an opportunity to reimagine how design and
technology can shape that world, encompassing idealised forms of escapism, as well
as innovations that are as pragmatic as they are aesthetically pleasing.
More reading
Digitopia aligns with the following macro forecast themes:
STEPIC Drivers: Decentralised Digital Culture | Synthetic Creativity
STEPIC Innovations: Digital Duality | Adaptive Design | Conscious Subcultures | AI
Surrealism
Big Ideas: Layered Realities | Strategic Imagination
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Digital intricacy
The concept: digital craft creates lightness and
delicacy. Evolve the Textured Translucence
trend into filigree, lace-like summer weights.
Fibre and yarn: keep fabrics relaxed in fine
hemp and linen, GOTS-certified organic cotton,
ahimsa silk and FSC-certified lyocells.
Decorine Lace & Textiles Limited
Construction and finish: organic skeletal forms
inspire modern filet lace, leno weaves, eyelet
broderie anglaise, fine laser-cut perforated
cotton poplins, chambrays and lawns, and
delicate thick-and-thin yarn-contrast jacquards. Dash & Miller @diotima.world

Undyed natural colour keeps the focus on

texture.
Burning Man Festival's Temple of the Heart
pavilion inspires lattice constructions, shaped
Tianhai Lace
by florals and Eastern European lace. This is
echoed by bold mesh dresses by Diotima (US)
and roundel eyelet sets at Alberta Ferretti
(Italy).
Relevant for: shirting, tops, separates, dresses,
sleepwear, lingerie, soft accessories

Temple of the Heart / Burning Man Alberta Ferretti Klauber Brothers

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Motion layers
The concept: AI advancements and the space
economy inspire this ethereal, futuristic theme.
Serene ombré fabrics continue for summer in
crisp sheers with dreamy and milky
iridescence.
Fibre and yarn: use GRS-certified, ultra fine-
Shinkong Textile Co., Ltd.
denier recycled nylon and polyester with voile-
like lightness, as well as bio-based nylon 6.6 and
low-impact stretch. Space-print yarns add visual
interest.
Construction and finish: tinted ombré pastels Woven Studio @_fallen_alien_

evolve technical bases. Develop nacré ciré,

organza and chiffon-tensile sheers. Create
delicate colour wovens with print, spray or yarn
dyes, and add retraction via crêpe yarns for
crystalline, glassy effects. Elvira Jönsson

We cite the space-inspired digital fashion by

Francesca Rosella of CuteCircuit, sheer
iridescent quilting at Lanvin (France) and
Swedish designer Elvira Jönsson's Woven Light
Interference weaves, which use dichroic light
strands to change the colour of white weaves in
light, without needing electricity.
Relevant for: shirts, dresses, separates,
loungewear, jackets, tops, soft accessories @francesca_cutecircuit Lanvin Rare Thread

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Underwater fantasy
The concept: building on our previous Oceanic
Foamy Sheers story, use AI surrealism and IRL
manipulation to reimagine otherworldly sub-
aquatic forms as romantic, fantastical fabrics.
Fibre and yarn: use superfine natural and
synthetic fibres. Source GRS-certified polyester
Dutel Creation
and nylon, biodegradable nylons like bio-based
Amni Soul Eco, as well as ultra-fine ahimsa silk
and cotton.
Construction and finish: give soft voile, chiffon
and organzas foamy surfaces, and apply @paiope_london Ester Manas

imaginative 3D pleating, shirring and laser-

cutting to add volume to sheers. Create the
appearance of dimension via layering or
blended colour. Focus on occasion- and holiday-
wear. Ryan Parry

We're noting the jellyfish-like digital realisations

by @paiope_london, NYC-based brand Fe Noel's
ombrè pleated charmeuse silk dresses, and
sunset-hued, mermaid-like waterfall ruching at
Ester Manas (Brussels).
Relevant for: intimates, loungewear, dresses,
tops, shirting, soft accessories

Shibori Girls Studio @fenoel Dash + Miller

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Meta-classical
The concept: carved, etched and meta-faceted
materials follow a sublime symmetry, crisply
updating our Neu-Classical story, paying tribute
to classical design via a modern AI lens.
Fibre and yarn: source GRS-certified recycled
polyester and nylon such as Newlife, Econyl,
Kuwamura
Seaqual, Repreve, Tencel and silk for technical
sheen, and use BCI cotton and RWS-verified
wool for smart options. Play with matte and
demi-shine yarns.
Construction and finish: engineer ottoman Anna Dickinson DHZUS

ribs, retracted stripes, pin tucks and faceted

pleats via stitching, heat-setting or pressing.
Build in flexibility to embrace gender fluidity or
universal fits. Focus on timeless, malleable
qualities that have mechanical stretch for Troficolor Denim Makers

engineered tailoring and occasionwear.

Note the serene pleating and tailoring at South
Korean brand Rokh, and the pristine pleated
raincoat by Japanese brand Sacai.
Relevant for: shirting, dresses, tops,
loungewear, tailoring, soft accessories

Woven Studio Rokh Dash + Miller

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Digital soft
The concept: our Expanded Imagination and
Synthetic Creativity concepts update the
Marshmallow Soft materials trend, with surreal
pastels driven by AI fashion and interiors.
Fibre and yarn: source Fairtrade and GRS
recycled cotton, RWS- or ZQ-certified wool, and
Recyctex Co. Ltd
GRS-verified polyester and nylon. Test Refibra,
Infinited Fiber and Liva Reviva for soft matte
drape.
Construction and finish: develop matte
cushioned volume for indoor-to-outdoor @aidesign.png Georges Hobeika

lightweights. Devise intricate blister quilting,

silky cloqué weaves and puffy stitched or heat-
bonded quilting. Rounded, exaggerated profiles
are key for sporty apparel and loungewear.
Recyctex Co. Ltd
We're citing the surreal, puffy quilting by luxury
Lebanese label Georges Hobeika and the super-
light design by London-based Danish brand
Brogger.
Relevant for: outerwear, jackets, separates, soft
accessories

Dezeen / Nika Zupanc for Moooi Brøgger Ciment Pleating

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Colour shifts
The concept: our transformative and colour-
shifting Kinechromatic material theme evolves
with chameleon-like photochromic colour, UV
colour-changing technologies and solarised
looks.
Fibre and yarn: source FSC-certified viscose,
University of Texas at Austin
modal, cupro, Tencel lyocell, EcoVero and
Livaeco. For technical bases, use GRS-certified
recycled polyester and nylon with low-impact
finishes.
Construction and finish: source ciré and crisp Anrealage @francesca_cutecircuit

taffeta, supercharged with ombré colour, space-

printed yarn or dip dyes. Boost tonic jacquards
with quilting. Give proofs water- and wind-
resistance via fluorine-free bio-finishes. Test
thermo-adaptive e-materials that change hue Ryan Parry

via sun exposure, heating or cooling.

Japanese brand Anrealage’s colour-changing
pieces at Paris Fashion Week saw models
scanned on stage with two UV light strips to
reveal bright patterns on white outfits.
Relevant for: outerwear, jackets, separates, soft
accessories

Dash & Miller Ryan Parry @ashley_wxl at @rcatextiles

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Hyper-haptic
The concept: sensorial flocked, fringed and
furry textures build on our Phygital Tactility
theme, resulting in fluffy, haptic weaves.
Fibre and yarn: source GRS-certified recycled
polyester and nylon, Newlife, Econyl, Seaqual,
Repreve, Tencel and silk for technical sheen.
Maidilang Group
Cut-tape, eyelash and feather-like yarns are key.
Construction and finish: make ultra-light,
diaphanous fil-coupé jacquards and all-over
silky cut-fringe designs. Consider over-printed
weaves or multicolour cut-float designs. Serena Confaloneri AKHL Studio

India-based AKHL makes ombré fringing,

mixing hand-weaving, spectrum dyeing and
recycled materials to innovate luxury
womenswear. We also reference Stine Goya's
Takisada-Nagoya
exaggerated fluffy vest dress.
Relevant for: dresses, tops, separates, soft
accessories

Dash & Miller Stine Goya Dutel Creations

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Barely there
The concept: this ethereal story evolves our
Ghosted Illusions theme, updating tinted
transparency with textural layers.
Fibre and yarn: use BCI and GOTS-certified
organic cotton, RWS-certified merino worsteds,
FSC-certified viscose, lyocell and ahimsa silk for
Maruwa
shirting. Explore soft or dry crêpe yarns.
Construction and finish: bring veiled 3D
lightness to sheers via soft shirring. Develop
retracted seersuckers, scrunched pleats, super-
light cotton voile and lawns, and bicolour Linea Ross Cristiano Burani

ghosted double-cloths. Add soft laundries or

engineered creases.
We've called out the all-over crinkled tank by
Ukranian label DZHUS, voluminous voile shirts
Stib 19
at Hong Kong label Forme de Fluidité, and
ruched chiffon sheers at Cristiano Burani (Italy).
Relevant for: shirting, jackets, matching sets,
sleepwear, intimates, soft accessories

FORME DE FLUIDITÉ DZHUS Eden Fisher

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Dual realities
The concept: explore dual realities via shadow-
play wovens, updating our Dynamic Geometrics
theme.
Fibre and yarn: look for GOTS-certified
organic, Fairtrade and BCI cotton for shirting,
as well as RWS- and ZQ-certified jacket-weight
Woven Studio
worsteds. Blend cotton with FSC Tencel or
organic ahimsa silk.
Construction and finish: develop shadowy
shirting checks and stripes in superfine double-
or triple-cloths. Add opacity with thick-and-thin @kpmcclellan Paula Einfalt

yarn layouts. Update windowpane or gingham

suiting checks with bright accents, and add
space-dyed yarns for visual trickery. Create
optical dobbies and micro-jacquards.
Rare Thread
We've referenced Croatian designer Paula
Mihovilovic Einfalt's haunting Three Faced
Muse collection, using spectres of the past to
create sheer photoreal prints on 3D layered
colour.
Relevant for: shirting, jackets, separates,
loungewear, soft accessories

Dash + Miller Johanna Ortiz Dash & Miller

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AI pastels
The concept: this tailoring story reimagines last
summer's Serene Futurism theme with cosy yet
futuristic AI pastel shades.
Fibre and yarn: use BCI and GRS cotton, and
ZQ- and RWS-certified superfine merino wools.
For silky sheen, use new-generation cellulosics,
Aditya Birla Group
GRS recycled nylon, bio-based polyester and
stretch.
Construction and finish: use durable poplin
plains and ripstops for technical tailoring and
smart jacketing. Refresh tropical-weight merino Ujoh Adeam

worsted wools with subtle rib or twill textures.

Add flexibility via mechanical stretch, and add
value via eco-friendly stain-proof, easy-care,
quick-dry and anti-bacterial finishes.
Naia from Eastman
Create new matte solids using greens such as
Bio-Mint and Cool Matcha, as well as grey, blue
and pink. Take inspiration from the tailoring by
Japanese labels Ujoh and Adeam, and also Jil
Sander.
Relevant for: shirting, tailoring, jackets,
bottoms, soft accessories

Mizuda Dezeen / 3Form Danmao

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Aquatic liquidity
The concept: this surreal watery theme
refreshes our scintillating liquid -like fabric
theme from S/S 24, and on a deeper level it links
to a focus on environmental concerns related to
oceans.
Fibre and yarn: source FSC-certified viscose,
Acar Textile
modal, cupro, Tencel lyocell, EcoVero, Livaeco
or organic ahimsa silk. For technical bases, use
bio-based and biodegradable polyester and
nylon.
Construction and finish: develop adaptable Scarlett Yang A.W.A.K.E. MODE

qualities that can morph from day to night,

from liquid-drape silkies to crisp paper taffetas.
Develop shot, shantung and tonics, enhanced
with subtle embossed, creased and crumpled
finishes. B.O.B. Textile

We're citing raw shredded and crushed silk

layering at London label A.W.A.K.E Mode,
Italian label Diesel's interwoven denim organza,
and the liquid-like digital fashion by
@paiope_london.
Relevant for: loungewear, intimates,
occasionwear dresses, separates, jackets, soft
accessories
@paiope_london Diesel Teenfeng

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1 234
Action points
Embrace digital design within
IRL product
Use AI as a tool for innovation, concept
development and digital design
communication to push the boundary of
IRL products. Explore tools such as
DALL.E 2, Magenta and Creative AI Lab.
Use #3Ddesign to test concepts ahead of
sampling and production
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Explore subconscious and
fantasy themes to create surreal
aesthetics
Look to Surrealism to inspire new
colours, textures, finishes and forms.
Develop dreamy ombré weaves, ghosted
transparencies, sensorial fuzzy surfaces
and freeform, undulating textures that
stretch the imagination and conjure up
otherworldly realms
Invest in function and longevity
to elevate core fabrics
Add performance qualities to wardrobe
essentials via adaptable hybrid materials
that are engineered for function and
longevity, and made for circularity.
Sheen or matte, smooth and compact
fabrics embrace mechanical stretch –
ideal for #FutureCommuter lifestyles
Build on super-light layering
concepts
Engineer lightness into textiles for
adaptable motion layers. Develop
lightweight tinted wovens with ghostly
chalked greys and barely there textures,
mirroring reflected impressions and the
concept of digital twinning
WGSN’s forecasts are created by our global team of experts
Fashion forecasting team
Helen Palmer, Head of Materials, Knit &
Textiles
Charlotte Casey, Senior Strategist,
Knitwear
Nicole Ajimal, Strategist, Materials
Victoria Bulmer, Strategist, Materials
Sara Maggioni, Head of Womenswear
Laura Yiannakou, Acting Head of
Womenswear
Kim Cupido, Senior Strategist,
Womenswear
Sithandiwe Khumalo, Strategist,
Womenswear
Nick Paget, Senior Strategist, Menswear
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Yvonne Kostiak, Head of Active
Charlotte Browning, Strategist, Active
Rebecca Saygi, Strategist, Swimwear
Jo Lynch, Strategist, Intimates
Hannah Watkins, Head of Prints &
Graphics
Rose Hudson, Strategist, Prints &
Graphics
Fanny Chow, Strategist, Prints &
Graphics
Erin Rechner, Head of Kidswear
Allison Goodfellow-Ash, Strategist,
Kidswear
Hannah Allan, Strategist, Kidswear
Jane Collins, Senior Strategist, Footwear Contributors
& Accessories
EMEA
Ana Correa, Strategist, Footwear &
Raeesa Brey, Researcher, Research Hub
Accessories
Ryan Parry, Digital Assets, Retail &
Lucila Saldana, Strategist, Footwear &
Buying Specialist
Accessories
Francisca Perez, Client Services
Urangoo Samba, Head of Colour
LATAM
Clare Smith, Strategist, Colour
Giovanna Bedinelli, Client Services
Susie Draffan, Senior Strategist, Denim
Leticia Araujo, Consultant, Creative &
Mia Jacobs, Strategist, Youth
Production
Jaeyeon Park, Strategist, Youth
Mariana Santiloni, Client Services
Rhoneil Tiburcio, Strategist, Retail
Stefany Lopes, Digital Assets
APAC
Natacia Lim, Researcher, Research Hub
Anchi Wong, Client Services
Industry credits and collaborations
Thanks to the following fabric and textiles mills and weave design studios, which collaborated with WGSN
to provide sourced seasonal developments and exclusive samples for the S/S 25 forecasts.

Mills Danmao Kuwamura Sprintex

Acar Textile Decorine Lace & Textiles Limited Linopersempre Seojin Textile

Aditya Birla Group Ding Nancy Mantero 1902 Takisada-Nagoya

Alfred Brown Dutel Creations Maruwa Textile Industries Taku Edge

Anthyia Dynamo Fabrics Mizuda Tianhai Lace

Arasan Tekstil Ecosimple Monark – Menuscat Les Tissages Perrin – Perrin & Fils

Arnia Textile Elyaf Tekstil Naia from Eastman Shinkong Textile

Ecosensor by Asahi Kasei Emblem Weavers Export Olmetex Le Tinte by Stylem Italia

Bharat Silks Giolica Outside Denim Symphony Fabrics

B.O.B. Textile Halley Stevensons Oztek Tekstil Troficolor Denim Makers

British Millerain IdeaTex Co. Recyctex Urban Fabrics

Brecotessile Isiksoy Tekstil Saite Yünsa

Ciment Pleating John England Irish Linen Shandong Ruyi UgurTeks Tekstil

Cocoon Peace Organic Silk Kotai Tannery Springtex Linen Junior by Adele Zibetti

Concordia Textiles Klauber Brothers

Cone Denim

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Dash & Miller
Dash & Miller specialises in the design, development
and production of woven fabrics for the global fashion
and interiors industries, using experimental yarn,
structure, colour and finishing. Its portfolio of original
samples offers an inspirational range, complete with
technical information for mill design and development.
A consultancy service is also offered for specific
projects, including mixed-media designs, screen-prints
and hand-wovens, and the studio collaborates with a
high-end UK womenswear mill to produce a seasonal
collection of fabric available by the metre.
Contact: Juliet Bailey
Email: juliet@dashandmiller.com
Tel: +44 (0)20 3002 0553
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Woven Studio Additional designers
Woven Studio produces a seasonal collection of woven Jessie Bloom
and multi-process fabric swatches using carefully
Eden Fisher
sourced yarns and materials. With a broad range of
experience in design development, the studio is fully Molly Haynes
equipped to work on projects, ranging from trim and Susie Taylor
fabric development to meterage that is hand-woven in-
Xuelian Wang
house, while also offering industrial production
solutions with different weaving mills in the UK and
around the world. With extensive knowledge of yarn
suppliers and textile manufacturers, the studio has the
capacity and expertise to conduct experimental
research using new and unusual materials.
Contact: Laura Miles
Email: laura@wovenstudiolondon.com
Tel: +44 (0)793 053 4721
WGSN trend matrix 2025
Mapping the continuity between the themes covered in our STEPIC Drivers, STEPIC Innovations, Big Ideas
and Product Forecasts.

STEPIC STEPIC Drivers STEPIC Innovations Big Ideas A/W 24/25 S/S 25
Diversity for Survival
Forecast Forecast
The Polycrisis Era Flex-Abilities
From Personalised to Individualised

Society
Digital Duality
Decentralised
Layered Realities
Digital Culture Expanded
Adaptive Design Digitopia
Technology Imagination

Bio-Synthetic Streams
Nature As a
Resource-Ready
Environment Board Member
Sleep for Sustainability
Future Terrains Restorative Realms
Beyond Borders
Politics The Great
Migration Urgent Optimism
All the Rage

Industry
Future Mining Inter-Actions Common Connections
The Second Preservation
Space Age Mode
The End of Abundance
Creativity

Conscious Subcultures
Synthetic Strategic
Creativity Imagination
AI Surrealism

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WGSN 2025 forecast schedule
Your guide to when WGSN's 2025 forecast reports will be published.

STEPIC STEPIC Big Future Personas/Product Product

Drivers Innovations Ideas Consumer Opportunities Forecasts

The six global macro- The 12 areas of innovation
economic drivers that that will lead transformation
will shape 2025, and across industries in 2025 and
strategies for success their implications for
business, culture and design
STEPIC Drivers and STEPIC
Innovations contextualised
for the fashion, beauty,
interiors, food and drink,
and consumer tech
industries
The key consumer
sentiments and profiles
that will disrupt
industries in 2025
The Future Consumer
profiles contextualised for
the beauty, food and drink,
consumer tech and
interiors industries
Product Forecasts present
the design directions for
each industry and product
category, with more than
80 reports throughout the
year across WGSN

Business Strategy Business & Product Strategy Product Strategy Business & Consumer Strategy Consumer Strategy Product Strategy
Insight Insight, Fashion, Beauty, Interiors, Fashion, Beauty, Interiors, Insight Beauty, Food & Drink, Fashion, Beauty, Interiors,
Food & Drink, Consumer Tech Food & Drink, Consumer Tech Consumer Tech, Interiors Food & Drink, Consumer Tech

November 2022 December 2022 January 2023 January- February 2023 December 2022 -
September 2023

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