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Let's Get Dressed
She Predicted 2025’s Biggest Fashion Trends — Here’s What 2026 Has in Store For Us, with Mandy Lee
00:43:43
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- [00:02]
A
Hey, everyone.
- [00:03]
B
Welcome back to let's Get Dressed. It's your host, liv Perez. Happy 2026. Hope you all had an amazing new year holiday. Hope you ate all the good food, hung out with your friends and family, did all the things. I am so excited to be back. Missed you guys over the holiday break. Per usual, I always feel lost in the world when we don't have podcast episodes coming out. And so I'm so excited to be bringing you guys the first episode of the year. When thinking about what I wanted to do for this episode, I really wanted something that felt exciting in terms of looking forward to the year ahead and what's going on with fashion, but also felt like it gave us perspective on the year that we've just come off of. 2025 was a huge year for fashion. A lot of designer, musical chairs, designer debuts, new trends. So much happened last year. So I wanted to bring a friend of mine on whose content I love. Her name is Mandi Lee, but you also might know her as the old loser in Brooklyn. That's her handle on Instagra Instagram. She is a trend predictor who looks at fashion through a really cultural lens, which I've always loved. The two are so intrinsically tied. So I love how when I go through her content, not only am I learning about fashion, but I'm also learning a bit more about what's going on in the world and how that impacts what we wear. She very notably has predicted some pretty big trends over the last four years since she got started on TikTok. Before she started making content, she was in trend forecasting. So naturally she's an expert at this. And I think you guys will be really interested to hear the trends that she has predicted over the years and gotten right. They are so niche and so specific. So when I thought about who I wanted to talk to about 2026 trends.
- [01:39]
A
Of course I went straight to her.
- [01:41]
B
So in today's episode, we talk about how she became a trend forecaster, what it takes for a trend to happen, like what the perfect storm is, and then also some of her predictions for the year ahead, like freaky footwear, animal prints, some nostalgia, and a bit more.
- [01:58]
A
I know you guys are gonna love this.
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B
Make sure you follow Mandy on Instagram and TikTok. She's luzerinbrooklyn and let's go get dressed with Mandy Lee.
- [02:08]
A
Welcome to the show, Mandy.
- [02:10]
C
Thank you so much for having me.
- [02:11]
A
Liv, I'm thrilled to have you. I've loved your content for so long. I love your substack I love everything you do.
- [02:16]
C
Thank you.
- [02:16]
A
I'm just so excited to have you here. And it's going to be our first episode of 2026 too.
- [02:21]
C
Welcome. 2026.
- [02:22]
A
We don't know what it's like in the future.
- [02:24]
C
I do.
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A
Oh, really? No, honestly, you do. If anyone knows what's going on in the future, it's you. So we're just in your world. It's your world. We're just living in it.
- [02:34]
B
How are you?
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A
Tell me about what you're wearing. I think everybody's gonna be like, wow. Tell us the vibes.
- [02:39]
C
Just some background. It's like 20 degrees today. Not loving it. This is Paloma. Wool pants are Paloma. Wool top is Simone Rocha. And shoes are sandy. Most of it's real. Real, though.
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A
You're gonna have to show us the shoes. Cause I get in so much trouble with the YouTubers.
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C
Can you see people?
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A
Flexibility. Wow.
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C
Five one advantages here.
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A
I'm five' four and it does. I think five' four and under. We really have. We've got some perks.
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C
We can, like, cheat being flexible too, because it's, like, not that far being earned. It's just being, like, a little vertically challenged. But I'll take it.
- [03:15]
A
Everything's just a little bit closer, you know?
- [03:17]
C
Exactly.
- [03:18]
A
Well, I'm so excited to have you on. Of course you're wearing Simone. And I think we have to get two things out of the way before we dive in. One, your wedding.
- [03:26]
C
I'm a married woman.
- [03:28]
A
You're a married woman who got married in Simone Rocha. And it was insanely gorgeous. I remember seeing that and being like, well, I'm obsessed with that person.
- [03:37]
C
Thank you. So that was years of manifestation, too. Like, I've been her biggest fan for years. I went to my first show at the beginning of the year in London. I'm also obsessed with London fashion in general. And Simone lent me that dress. And now a year. A little over a year later, it's literally on display at the Antwerp Momu. It's. It's in a museum now, which I cannot believe. Like, the dress that was on my body on my wedding is now in a museum. Really? I have to go visit her because I miss her. That all came together two weeks before my wedding, too, which is, like, very me.
- [04:13]
A
I'm panicked for you. I know, right? As a former type A bride, I'm panicked for you.
- [04:19]
C
That's like, just. I feel like I have some sort of, like, fashion delusion where it's like, it will work out and it did. I wouldn't give that advice, though. No, don't do as I say.
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A
No, no, no.
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C
Or as I do.
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A
It worked out. And we're glad it worked out because it was really, really gorgeous. Thank you. Yeah, of course. Congratulations.
- [04:37]
C
Thanks so much.
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A
Okay, point number two. We have to get to tell us where Old Loser in Brooklyn came from.
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C
Okay. It was.
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A
She's like, I am exhausted by this question.
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C
The backstory on how my account even came to be is I got laid off from my corporate job in May during the pandemic. Like, when the pandemic was, like, dialed all the way up. Everyone's freaked out. Everyone's so scared, including myself. Like, I'm a super, like, health paranoid person. I'm in therapy now. But, like, it was really bad. So I got laid off. And I was like, you're joking. Like, I can't. Like, it's just my worst nightmare. Cause I'm always someone who is very, like, tethered to my job, and my identity was very much my job. And the day after, I had literally heard about TikTok during this period of time, and I was like, I'm just gonna make a TikTok. And then all the usernames I was seeing were kind of like, crazy, weird throwaways. So it was actually Old Stoner in Brooklyn. And then they deleted my account in, like, three hours. So then I remade it with Old Loser in Brooklyn. Then I started posting videos, like, later that year, but it was always a throwaway. And now I'm stuck with it pretty much because I got verified on TikTok and Instagram with that name. And I don't know if it's changed, but you used to not be able to change your name.
- [05:58]
A
I think you can. And the only reason I'm bringing that up is because Zhenya Adonce used to be Zenya Overdose.
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C
Got it.
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A
And she just switched to Zenya, her full name, and she's still verified.
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C
I think you can now. But you used to not be able to. Not that I would change it now.
- [06:12]
A
I was about to say no one wants to, but. So basically what you're saying is you put your username into TikTok. Like you put Old Stoner in Brooklyn and it gave you. Like, this isn't available, but here's another option.
- [06:23]
C
No, they let me put it, but then they deleted my account, I think. I don't. I'm assuming it's because it's, like, drug related.
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A
What I mean is, like, was Old Loser recommended or it was your idea.
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C
No, then it was. Then I just made. Oh, okay.
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A
I was like, that would be so crazy if it recommended Old Loser.
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C
I know, right? But like I said, I was feeling like the biggest loser ever. Like, I had just lost my dream job. And, yeah, it sucked. But it's also a blessing because I wouldn't have made TikTok had that not happened.
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A
And look at you now.
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C
Yeah, it's crazy.
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A
I think it's such a fun, defining thing.
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C
Yeah, it's pretty crazy. And my background was in corporate planning and forecasting. I mostly worked in the beauty industry, though. So I did corporate planning and forecasting for seven years, ended with beauty, and then started freelancing in February 2022. And now it's been. Yeah, wow. Like, almost four years. Been at this.
- [07:21]
A
I really love your content for a ton of reasons. One, I just, like, adore watching you. I think you're really fun and just super relatable and real. But I also. You bring such a breadth of knowledge to the table while also making it feel relatable. In the past two years, you've become really well known for predicting trends of the year. And last year in 2025, I know you created a piece of content about 2025 trends that you're predicting, and you got a lot of them scarily. Right. Like, they were very niche. So I think we should kick the pot off by going through a few of them that have come true.
- [07:54]
C
Yeah. So the way that I do my forecasting is I always start with, like, the theory, Right. And that includes, like, political, economical, socioeconomics, just all the things outside of fashion that are going to impact fashion, because fashion is a mirror of our culture, essentially. Whether you see it that way or you don't. That is how things are created and why people are drawn to certain things. So it always starts with the theory. Always, always, always. But what you mostly see from me on socials is honing in on what that will actually look like. So more like visuals and general themes, but typically that looks more specific. Right. So like, individual items or categories or these themes, which is kind of. My lane is usually talking about different themes in fashion. So the sort of, like, cultural outlook I had for 2025 is this push for, like, extremism in a way. People have an appetite for weirder things. People are more, I think, influenced by trying to find, like, something unique to latch onto. It's just sort of like this attitude we have where there's such a push for authenticity and being genuine and relatable and all this bullshit. Honestly, That I feel like people confuse with being unique. You can totally be yourself and be basic. Like, you can be a unique person and. And shop at Zara. Like, you don't have to be peacocking all the time. However, I feel like on social media specifically, people are looking for this, like, unique factor because that will signal somebody being genuine or authentic. I don't really agree with that, but I think that is sort of the attitude that a lot of viewers have, and a lot of creators want to, like, fulfill this, like, genuine sort of, like, outlook for people to view them as. It's a signal. It's a signifier.
- [10:04]
A
I agree.
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C
Yeah. And I think a lot of trends are born because people want to signal a specific attitude. Taking the temperature of something. That's always how trends get picked up, too. So focusing on kind of that theory, I predicted fur and hair, which sounds weird.
- [10:25]
A
Let's get really specific here. You predicted pubes coming back and skims. Launched a merkin this year out of nowhere. That was insane.
- [10:34]
C
Yeah, that was really. I mean, I still can't believe that happened. Because a lot of the times when I'm making these more specific predictions and not really talking about the theory, which is, of course, super broad and can be up to interpretation, because you really can't. Like, I've been doing this for 10 years. You really can't actually look into a crystal ball and predict. You have to base it on the trajectory of, like, these cultural kind of markers. And that can change in an instant. Like, every time an election year comes up. It's like, well, my predictions could be completely opposite. It really, like, those things matter so much when you're looking through the lens of fashion, which, again, sounds crazy, but it matters so much. But, yeah, the pub American thing, like, really shocked me. Cause I didn't think it would get that big.
- [11:20]
A
I remember one of the first things that you said was overall conservatism was going to be a trend. It's interesting to hear those two things in the same sentence. They're obviously polar opposite. Opposite on the spectrum. But I remember one of the first things you predicted last year was, everything's just going to get a lot more expensive. Which I loved. I was like, okay, yes, 100%. Tariffs trickling down into fashion. The Chanel bags are now, what, eight grand?
- [11:44]
C
Ten. Ten. We're really for a freaking quilted Chanel flap? Yeah, girl.
- [11:50]
A
And it's just gonna get worse, everybody.
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C
Well, match. You could sell me a $10,000 Chanel flap, maybe.
- [11:55]
A
Easy. Any day. Am I walking in there and just saying, take my credit card. Don't show me anything. Let me walk out the door. Just give me all of it.
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C
Yeah.
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A
He could sell me anything.
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C
He could look at me and be like, sold, Sold, babe.
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A
But let's talk about the conservatism a little bit, because I think that trickles down into a lot of different things.
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C
I mean, the conservatism is more of, like, I think, an influence. I suppose to some it is a trend. I'm very curious. Like, I can't wait to see the reflections post Maga. Let's hope that there is a post Maga era. But I think it's more of an influence. And I think you see it in silhouettes and increased levels of modesty and protection. But also, I think there's a big resistance towards it too. Like, one of my predictions for this year I talked about a few months ago is exposed bras. It was on the Runway quite a bit. Not in a sexy way, though.
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A
Right.
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C
That was something I noticed. It was more like hanging, like hanging.
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A
Bras almost like over a top or under.
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C
Like, under Prada. The show was a good example, and it reminded me of the, like, what, 2014, like, for lovin lemons lace bras with the scooped T shirt.
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A
Yes.
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C
It's very that. But for this more like modern consumer. So I think that there's always a push and pull with those influences. There's people who will, you know, go very literally. But then there's also the opposite trend of resistance towards that. Somebody can be wearing a bra in, like, a kind of conservative way. But also somebody can be wearing a bra in this, like, a super revealing, sexy way. So I think there's always like, a push and pull with those extremes, especially now, because I feel like fashion trends are very much on the extreme spectrum. You're either sort of like, I mean, look at what happened with tabbies this year. Huge.
- [13:59]
A
I feel like. And that was one of the things that you predicted, especially in, like, the peep toe genre. I saw so much of that this year. Tory Burch had them literally everywhere. A peep toe heel became a very big thing.
- [14:12]
C
Yeah.
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A
Just that whole. I feel like shoes got a renaissance.
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C
Yeah. I actually predicted toe shoes in 2022.
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B
Wow.
- [14:19]
C
Not necessarily with the tabbies, but, like, Balenciaga was doing the, like, kind of Vibram toes almost. Right. But again, like, even when I made that video, I did not think it would get as big as it did. So there's always, like, a lot of surprise. Like, even though my predictions are for the most part, pretty accurate. It's always the time, the timing of when that will happen. And the reach always kind of surprised me. I know they will happen to some varying degree, but like the Mirkin, for example, the toe shoes, I really didn't think they would get as big as they did. And now the hair as a design detail. Like, you're seeing so much pony hair now. You're seeing fuzzy shoes now. You know, last season, fall, winter 25, so the season that we're currently in. So much freaking fur. Oh, my God. So much fur everywhere. Fur bras, fur skirts, fur panties. Like, so much. And it was. It's always. It's never really, like, exactly how I picked her, especially when things just, like, get so huge. It sometimes does surprise me when certain things just, like, absolutely blow up. Because I always thought the toe shoes and the merkins and whatever would stay pretty niche, but they kind of haven't. They kind of have hit the mainstream.
- [15:33]
A
A few other trends that you predicted that came true this year. Celine, specifically the Celine logo, which I thought was everywhere this year. And I love Michael Ryder, love pins and embroidery. Had a big year. I loved pins and brooches at the beginning of the year. I have so many that I love and wear all the time. Jonathan Anderson leaving Loewe, which happened in March. Sad. I know.
- [15:54]
C
I didn't like writing that. Oh, I did not like writing that.
- [15:58]
A
You got it right. Alternative animal print, which I think is so interesting. I was never an animal print girl ever. And this year, I've seen so much of it. I saw that Tory Burch pant and jacket set I was obsessed with.
- [16:12]
C
Yeah, she does good.
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A
Oh, so good. I feel like I've already said Tory Burch three times in this episode, so that's okay.
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C
I mean, I've been working with Tory for three years. Like, we could have Tory girls.
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A
About Tori, I. I love her stuff, but that specific. It wasn't like a zebra. It was like. What was that jacket?
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C
It's called the Flame.
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A
I'm obsessed with it.
- [16:30]
C
It was actually designed by an.
- [16:32]
A
It lives rent free in my brain. That's why it's so cool.
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C
I can't think of her name, unfortunately, but she designed that print and the things that it came in. So the coat and the dress, it's literally upholstery fabric.
- [16:46]
A
So cool.
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C
I have the dress. It's amazing. So.
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A
So one of here in New York also uses a lot of upholstery fabric for garments, and I think it's just the coolest thing ever it's really neat.
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C
I mean, again, like, that's innovation to me. Like, keeping it fresh.
- [17:01]
A
Totally.
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C
Also hiring real people to design things special for you. Like, Hermes has been doing that all year with animators and artists. And it's so incredible. Like, they have taken kind of like a silent stance on being like, fuck AI. And I think it's awesome.
- [17:20]
A
Oh, that's really cool. I haven't seen that. I want to get into a little bit how you got here, because so many trends that we just talked about came into actualization in 2025. So tell me a little bit about your background. Like, what does it take to study to become a trend forecaster?
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C
I mean, I went to school for communications.
- [17:38]
A
Okay, where did you go?
- [17:40]
C
I went to Simmons. Cool. I was a transfer student though, so I lived off campus also. I'm 34. I started this, I think, when I was like 28 or 29, I want to say. So. I have lived so many lives before people have ever seen me online. And I think that is what gives me the most edge with my expertise is I've been doing different jobs in planning and forecasting, different industries. It's more about the technique that I learned that translates to all industries. I had always wanted to work in fashion. I grew up in Rhode Island. There's no fashion jobs there. I lived in Boston for eight years. There's really no fashion jobs there. I never thought it was going to be possible for me. I didn't have a safety net to, you know, actually explore my dreams. I started as an analyst at a big tech company in Boston and then moved and transitioned into beauty because I thought it'd be like a good stepping stone to get me to fashion. So I did in house for a couple of years where I worked on like one brand's entire portfolio. I was there during like a huge packaging shift, which is a really, really big project for really any brand. Cause you're getting new components, you're getting new packaging. It's every single department touching this at once. And you're kind of acting as the project manager in a sense. Like saying, what's going to sell, what you need to discontinue, basically just like being in charge of an entire brand portfolio. And then I moved to a more E commerce. So multiple brands, you really didn't have control over what the brands were making. And I really didn't. Like, I really, really missed having more control. I was senior manager there. And that's when I. That was my last job before I quit. I. That's Not. I didn't get laid off there. I got, I quit there when TikTok was really picking up and I saw a future for it. But I basically like translated my planning and forecasting skills into fashion because it's a lot of similar methodology. And having worked in this field for. At the time, it was seven years, I really like, that has always been what I wanted to do. What the industry I wanted to work in was. There's no money in it though, like when you're starting out. Like my first job, I think I was making 38k and I was making more than a lot of my friends. And my, my last full time job before I quit in 2022, I was making 95k, which is like again, really difficult to like thrive on as in like a single household I think in New York City. So I saw the opportunity and I took it. What really inspired me was I wasn't seeing the content that I wanted to see. I basically saw a gap in what was being created and I wanted to fill it. Cause that's what I wanted to watch. Short form Runway reviews, short form trend reports, predictions. That did not exist in 2020. It just was not there. It was on YouTube, but that was more long format and the, the trend forecasting didn't exist at all. So yeah, I wanted to fill it because I had the professional experience to do so. And it was also a passion and I think my track record speaks for itself. I'm very good at my job.
- [21:11]
A
I mean, the 2025 trends we just said, there's so many and so much more. I mean, you've been predicting trends for five years now.
- [21:17]
C
Yeah, I mean, like to give some background to people who might not know me, I predicted indie sleaze, the twee revival, Bloomers ballerina sneakers. This is all pre2022 ballerina sneakers was a good one. Yeah, I got death threats for that video.
- [21:31]
A
For ballet sneakers.
- [21:32]
C
Bloomers ballet sneakers in the same. It was actually the same video. First viral video I ever made about fashion, I think. Three million. Under three million views. Yeah. I got like three people messaging me on Instagram being like, kill yourself. You're delusional. And you know, fast forward three years. Guess what the most popular shoe style is? Hybrid shoes.
- [21:58]
A
I bought a pair.
- [22:00]
C
Yeah. Also shout out Simone Rocha once again for being years ahead of a trend.
- [22:05]
A
She looked directly into the camera when she.
- [22:06]
C
Yeah, I did. I'm breaking the fourth wall here because it's that serious.
- [22:10]
A
It's really serious. What's the anatomy of a trend. Like what does it take to. What's the perfect storm for a trend to come together?
- [22:19]
C
Oh wow, that's a really. Oh, nobody's asked me that. I don't think. I think there are a couple of different markers. So again, like what's going on culturally, what the temperature is and what the appetite for consumers are, that's, that's really huge. Because if something's really cool, but it's like not available, it's really hard to get. You can't see the vision. Nobody's going to buy it. Like it has to be somewhat available. Ish. In 2023, I saw this sort of like whisper of nautical theme. It was really that Louis Vuitton show who I always think is so light years ahead. A lot of people are not loving Louis Vuitton, but I think Nicola is a genius and always very, very ahead.
- [23:02]
A
The streets think that too. We just got a double buy.
- [23:05]
C
We've got some buy in, but yet Nicola's kind of a genius in that way. And I noticed this weird aquatic sort of piratey situation happening. And that's when I first started kind of having sailor on the radar, more themes of nautical. And that really didn't start manifesting until I would say this year, this summer. So again, it's sort of like it starts with a whisper. It doesn't always have to be on the Runway. I remember my bloomer prediction. I actually noticed first from this girl, Chloe Philopoulos, who everyone should follow. She's an amazing stylist and I saw that she wore a pair and I was like, that's going to happen. It's an elevated bike short. The girls are gonna love that if they become more available. So those are kind of the whispers that my little birdies send to me. But also I'm a huge nerd and like I cannot help but notice patterns in everything. Like I've always been that way. It's why I was a good analyst and why that job was like a kind of a no brainer. When I went or when I got out of school. I majored in communication. So it was sort of this like bridge between being nerdy and being able to like explain why these things are happening. It was a great bridge for me. But that's kind of how I think things will take off is there's a general interest in like a general theme. And that theme will get whittled down and down and down into specific items or themes or categories and if they are available enough, whether that's ebay, the real, real Etsy or whatever, that's usually where emerging trends begin, is not really in the mass market and not even always on the Runway. I actually think a lot of consumer trends are driven by street style and individuals. And I think that's happened more in recent years than the Runway dictating trends. I think right now it's kind of 50 50.
- [25:10]
A
That's super interesting that you said that A lot of the mass trends happen more on like the Etsy's and Pinterests of the world. Not Pinterest, not Pinterest, more Etsy.
- [25:18]
C
I'm pretty anti Pinterest for style inspiration, to be honest. And if you. Pinterest predicts just came out this week. And you know, as, as a forecaster, it's not a forecast. I wish they didn't call it that. I wish they would call it like the 2025 wrap up because what they're doing is aggregating search data, purchase data because now you can buy directly from Pinterest. They're putting it into categories and they're honestly, they're using AI to do it and they have been for a very long time. It's not a prediction, it's more of a report and a rapping.
- [25:49]
A
Interesting.
- [25:49]
C
I appreciate that these brands are making that information more available though, because to like the average person, it is a prediction. It is something new for them. But like it was lace, it was brooches things. If you follow a loser in Brooklyn, you'd know about three years ago. And what I love about my job is it's not completely data reliant. It's kind of 50, 50. It's like you need the data, you need to understand what's happening culturally. That requires a lot of research and analysis, but you need a human element behind it. Or you end up with something like Pinterest predicts where it feels a little bit behind.
- [26:29]
A
You're basically saying that like it's for you, it's a sixth sense. Like you have to sense, you have to have your own human interaction to what you're seeing online based on culture, based on what people are wearing. And only a human can analyze that.
- [26:43]
C
There are certain markers that can't necessarily be quantified to, you know, feed into the computer or the machine to make sense of why things might be happening like that. Unless AI can do that in the future, I don't think that it can ever really reach the state of being like super accurate. Where a wgsn, for example, which to me is the gold standard company who does trend research and reporting they're light years ahead. Really. They give access to a lot of data. But the way that they actually make sense of that data. A human is doing that in. Only a human can do that really. And again, we can't predict the future. I can't predict the future. And a machine certainly can't predict the future either.
- [27:34]
A
So let's get into a few of your predictions for next year. Because I do love your human predictions.
- [27:40]
C
Okay.
- [27:42]
A
My favorite one, I'm just looking at.
- [27:43]
C
My list and the first one is butt cleavage.
- [27:47]
A
We're saying a lot of crazy shit on today's pod. I love. Actually my favorite one that you put out at the end of 2025 and you used a phrase that I'm obsessed with phalange fanaticism.
- [27:57]
C
Well, think about what happened this year. It was all about the foot. Yes.
- [28:02]
A
We're talking pierced mules, peep toe heels again. I think the, the shoes got a whole new territory this year. They got a glow up.
- [28:11]
C
Yeah. Not even just shoes. It was like the whole like foot category. Like toe rings, little socks, which I love. Like, I love this trend. It was so me. It felt like my dreams were coming true because things were suddenly becoming available that were like, oh my God, like, that is so me. I need it. It's always fun when that happens too. Is like when something gets popular, like you were saying with the animal print. It's just like, okay, now I have people like to hate and dunk on trends, which like, I get the. I get it. I'm. I love trends, but I'm not always on trends.
- [28:40]
A
Why do you love trends?
- [28:42]
C
Because is the most tangible expression of what's happening in culture and humanity. And I think that is so amazing. Like, it's wearable, it's culture on display. And everyone participates in fashion. Every single person, My father, everyone. You have to. You can't opt out of getting dressed to go out into the world, really. Unless you're on a beach in France. But like, everyone has to opt into it. And I think it's just. It's literally holding the mirror up to what's going on in the world. And I think it will make sense. This is my favorite quote about fashion ever. Ever is Lynn Yeager quoting Sally Singer. And she says, if you want to learn about fashion, you have to learn about everything around fashion. Art, politics, music. And I think that is just like the most accurate thing ever. And a lot of people in fashion really need to hear that sometimes because fashion is a byproduct of everything around Fashion, essentially, all these key indicators is what actually influence the decisions of creative directors, influence trends. So that's why I love fashion so much, and that's why I love studying trends so much, because it is culture on display.
- [29:59]
A
I love that response. Back to flanges. So hands, Feet. Yeah, back to flanges.
- [30:06]
C
Well, yeah, the background on that was, again, kind of this taste for the oddities and this kind of. The word grotesque has been a theme when I'm thinking about these things for a couple years now. And I think grotesque things are actually what people are being drawn to because it's special, it's weird, it's unique, it's unusual, and I think that's providing comfort to a lot of people in a way. But, yeah, the foot was. The foot was the hot body part of 2025.
- [30:40]
A
Cynthia Erivo @ the Wicked premiere last year, wore Thom Browne with those beautiful hands. And that. To me, it's like this appetite for surrealism that I really.
- [30:50]
C
Like. Yeah. I think in the hand prediction is like, not just gloves, because gloves are. Gloves have been big since 2020.
- [30:59]
A
Totally. And I do love your collection of rainbow.
- [31:01]
C
Gloves. Thank.
- [31:01]
A
You. A.
- [31:02]
C
Plus. I love a glove, but it's not just the glove. It's the glove, like, as an alternative accessory. Not even on your hands. And then there's. I'm seeing some themes of hands and gloves as motifs, like on a.
- [31:17]
A
Belt. Very.
- [31:18]
C
Cool. On a bag, clutch. I think Parenza Schooler did it, like, 10 years ago, and it did have a moment in, like, the twee era of fashion and 2021. Old loser in Brooklyn. Prediction was the trend or the twee revival. And I think we keep seeing little trickles of that coming in and out. And the hands were one of them. And I think that people are really going to latch onto that. Following the foot fetish we've had this.
- [31:48]
A
Year. It's interesting to hear all of these things that we've talked about that are quite. We can put it in the category of surrealist to an extent. And then the Pantone color of the year comes.
- [31:58]
C
Out. Oh, boo, Boo, boo.
- [32:00]
A
Boo. Cloud.
- [32:02]
C
Dancer. Yeah. What is that? I have a lot of thoughts. It's.
- [32:05]
A
Not. That's not the color of the year for.
- [32:07]
C
Me. Again, it's not even. It's not a prediction either. Like, it's just. It's like a pathetic. I'm sorry, but it's a pathetic corporate.
- [32:14]
A
Gimmick. Tell us how you really feel. No.
- [32:16]
C
I. Pathetic corporate gimmick. Boo. Pantone. I've had a Problem with Pantone's methodology, or lack thereof, for years and.
- [32:23]
A
Years, it could be really spot.
- [32:24]
B
On. There's a lot of potential.
- [32:25]
C
There. They used to have fun and take risks, but, you know, I just.
- [32:29]
A
Think it's interesting to have that come out during a time where I feel fashion specifically, I don't like the, like, maximalist, minimalist conversation, but I just feel like things are back to an era where, like, fashion's fun again. I didn't like seeing a lot of, like. Of kind of the same simplicity down the Runway. Like, there's more color. There's more, like, silhouettes. I'm here for all of it. It's just. I'm like, really? That's the.
- [32:52]
C
Color? Yeah. To.
- [32:53]
A
Me. Balenciaga spoke like that. To me. Feels so exciting. And there was so much color in that.
- [32:58]
C
Show. Pee, pee.
- [32:59]
A
Pees. Yes. I loved.
- [33:00]
C
It. Yeah, it was.
- [33:00]
A
Good. Okay. It's okay. You're allowed to say I hated.
- [33:03]
C
It. No, no, no. And I would if I did. But, no, I liked.
- [33:06]
A
It. That's unreal that you just said that. I'm gonna start saying that. You go.
- [33:10]
C
PPPs. I can't.
- [33:12]
A
Pronounce. No.
- [33:13]
C
I'm. Shit.
- [33:13]
A
It. I'm.
- [33:15]
C
American.
- [33:16]
A
Yeah. But I loved the colors in that, and I loved the silhouettes, and I loved the gloves, and it was exciting to.
- [33:22]
C
Me.
- [33:22]
A
Yeah. For a brand that previously I couldn't really relate to, I think that's another part of, like, another part of my.
- [33:28]
C
Experience. Not a demna.
- [33:28]
A
Fan. It just didn't resonate with my personal style. I could appreciate it from afar, but it wasn't something that I could see myself going in and wearing. But it's just so antithetical to what I feel society is at right now. Cloud.
- [33:41]
C
Dancer. I agree. I wouldn't. My professional advice would be to not take that to mean anything, because it doesn't Coloro. And WGSN is the gold standard for color trend predictions that actually, like, hold weight and have meaning behind them. I really think Pantone is. The whole color of the year thing is just a.
- [34:00]
A
Gimmick. What is a color, you think.
- [34:03]
C
For 2026, WGSN's prediction is. What is it? It's not tranquil, transformative. Teal. It's this, like, of course it.
- [34:13]
A
Was gonna be a blue. No, it's like a deep.
- [34:16]
C
Green. A deep blue green. Almost like emeraldy. Not. Not quite this. More jewel.
- [34:23]
A
Almost. That makes sense to.
- [34:24]
C
Me. Yeah. My color predictions for 2025 that I posted in January, I think were.
- [34:29]
A
A little early there Was a deep purple in.
- [34:32]
C
There. A deep, moody purple. Yep. A bright, bright cobalt blue, sky blue, periwinkle ish. And then pea green were my color predictions. Those all hit. I think everything, with the exception of the periwinkle will be a little bit bigger into next year. But, like, I'm not gonna say white, because it's not a color that goes in or out. Every fucking apartment in New York City is painted white. Yeah, it's the landlord.
- [35:02]
A
Special. I had someone message me and be like, it's.
- [35:05]
C
Escapism. And I was like, no, no, it's fascism.
- [35:07]
A
Actually. It's.
- [35:08]
C
Crazy. It's the beige ification of the world, which is. It is a fascist indicator. I hate to get that deep into it, but it is that deep. Like we've mentioned this entire conversation, like, fashion is actually that deep. But yeah, I think sometimes I do feel like WGSN is a little too early, though. I think that teal color won't really manifest until, like, the back half of 2026 into 2027, if at all, because it kind of reminds me of Serena Joy from Handmaid's Tale. Maybe that's why they picked it, because it is kind of like a little on point for what we're dealing with in America anyway. But I think these, like, bright, jewel kind of tones are where things are heading in the more cool, toned.
- [35:53]
A
Family. A few other ones that were on your list for this upcoming year, the pillbox to aviator hat pipeline apron styles. Let's get into both of.
- [36:04]
C
Those. Yeah, the apron one's interesting because I think there's, you know, in the video I mentioned how my first thought when I hear an apron is sort of this, like, trad wife obsession that we've had. But I got a lot of comments and I've kind of changed my tune. I almost wish I said this and thought of it in the video. I'm always trying to, like, lessen the blow when I say something that could be taken controversial, which I really need to, like, work on. But it's the kind of positive spin on the apron is it signifies more of, like, craftsmanship and workmanship and real life jobs. A lot of people have issues with Microprata for, like, always referencing that, but I don't find that a problem. Like, why wouldn't you be inspired by regular people when you design.
- [36:49]
A
Clothes? Well, there were so many aprons at Miu Miu, and it just feels.
- [36:52]
C
Utilitarian. I love it. I mean, I think it's really cute. And it, again, is a callback to me of the twee era, I remember. So for people who don't know.
- [37:01]
A
What that means, could.
- [37:02]
C
You. Yeah, think like, 20 2008-20. I'd say the end of that would be 2014. Very overlapped with indie sleeves, just kind of like a cuter version. So think the Peter Pan collars. You got a ukulele, you're Zooey Deschanel with bangs.
- [37:21]
A
Very. That the era that raised.
- [37:23]
C
Me. Yeah, The. The owl pendant necklace that was twee. And remember how mainstream that.
- [37:29]
A
Was? It was.
- [37:30]
C
Incredibly. And now. Now what we're seeing is all, like, literally all of those things in a more modern way. Every time I like, reference a revival, it never will look exactly like that. Like the. The indie sleaze, the twee. We can never replicate the culture of that time again. So it will never come back exactly like.
- [37:50]
A
That. You had to be.
- [37:51]
C
There. Yeah. And even though there are so many influences from those periods of time, it looks different and things are being styled differently. However, that apron, I have a, like. Literally, I can, like, reach out and touch it of Chloe Sevigne wearing this, like, Rick Rack apron thing. And that's what it reminds me of, is this, like, second coming. But I think the more positive spin, kind of turning away from the conservative angle is this, like, celebration of, like, women who are, you know, like baristas or in construction or artists or chefs or something like the everyday kind of woman. I think a lot of menswear and, like, gorpcore and more technical, utilitarian styles are taken from people who actually do those jobs. And I don't want to get into the 2026 general theory because it would. We would be here all day. But I think the big, big shift that will be happening in fashion that brands will have to keep up with is being you are required now to have some value in your product and have it be able to span multiple uses in multiple situations. And I think a lot of that more everyday consumer, what they're looking for, what they're interested in, will translate into the luxury market. So cargoes, pockets, straps, belts. That's why the belt bag is so kind of like, on the rise, popular right now and serves an actual purpose. Whether it's like, to look fashiony or not, it actually serves a purpose. I think brands really need to focus on that and give consumers that. Or I think it's going to be tough in the future. But that's kind of my theory for what's going to be trending in the next couple of years. In addition to making Specific clothing for certain weather. I had to come in here in Uggs cause I really don't have that many shoes that are like super insulated for 20 degree weather. I'm just sitting there, like, why? I mean, I feel like we're better than that as a society. Like, we need to think about our life and what's to come in the future. So I think sun blocking, sun protection built into clothing big.
- [40:10]
A
Time. UPF clothes need. We need more of that. I have a friend who has a brand called Claudette and it's amazing, but I would love to see it more in fashion. Yeah, like, we need cuter things.
- [40:22]
C
And yeah, this kind of like sense of protection against surveillance, against the weather, against the elements. That's going to play a huge role, I think, in fashion to come. What I'm really betting on though is this like big boom that's going to happen for snow and.
- [40:36]
A
Rain. Aviator.
- [40:38]
C
Hats. Yeah, aviator hats, like I mentioned. But I just see so much potential in these categories for technical wear. Chanel and Simone Roche this season both showed raincoats, like plastic raincoats. And it's only two examples really. But I'm betting on that taking off because people need that. Like I need that as a person. Like, you know, I don't know. I just. I think that that's really the kind of general theory for the next couple of years is making sure things serve an actual purpose and providing solutions for your customers, especially if you're a luxury brand. Because I think unfortunately the whole conversation with Miu Miu about their quality is shit. Yeah. I mean, you got to fix that, guys. Like, what are we doing? People are paying $18,000 for a jacket that busts open in a few days. It's not even going to need to be. It's going to need to be above and beyond. Just a well made product, but a well made product that works for you. It's going to be so important. I think in the future I.
- [41:47]
A
Could see a lot more of that. You walked in today with like a very. Is that J.W.
- [41:50]
C
Anderson? It is.
- [41:51]
A
Yeah. Yeah. It was like a. It's like a. What are they.
- [41:53]
C
Called? It's like a neck.
- [41:54]
A
Band. Neck band. But it had this like beautiful zip on it. And I think I've seen so much more of that. Like guest in residence this year made these like bandana, cashmere bandanas that were scarves that you could tie around your neck. They were very cute and they sold out right away. And to me, that was an indicator that people are looking for utilitarian accessories that are also fashionable. They're not just like, you know, a Uniqlo neck warmer. Like, it's something that feels like a fashionable accessory that's also there to keep you warm. I wouldn't be surprised if we see so much more of.
- [42:24]
C
That. My big words for this sort of theory are protection, purpose, multifunction, and wearable.
- [42:31]
A
Wellness. Wearable wellness is a good.
- [42:33]
C
One. Yeah, it's. I mean, it's. I mean, like. And again, it's looking at everything that's impacting a consumer, what's gonna actually make them make a purchase. And this goes beyond just the fashion girly space, you know what I mean? Like the actual, like the average.
- [42:50]
A
The everyday consumer is looking for these.
- [42:52]
C
Things. Yeah.
- [42:53]
A
Totally. I love these predictions. Yeah, I love, like, I love hearing from you. You have such an analytical, really thoughtful approach to fashion and it. I think you're.
- [43:02]
C
Amazing. Thank you so much. I mean, it's like, really.
- [43:04]
A
Fun. Thank you so much for coming on. We have to have you back. I want to hear more about all the things and you have to predict for us every year at this.
- [43:10]
C
Point. We'll have a post mortem next.
- [43:12]
A
Year. It's true. Oh, my God. That's a great idea. We'll see you guys at the end of 20. 26.
- [43:17]
C
6. Yeah.