9 January 2020

With summer here and the weather heating up, TAFE NSW Fashion Head Teacher, Fiona Lloyd, highlights the top trends emerging this season.

Fiona has worked in the industry for over 25 years for high profile brands including Elle Macpherson and Yves Saint Laurent.  Her qualifications in fashion and management combine creative and business expertise in areas of brand management, operations and product development and brings a depth of industry experience to TAFE NSW students.

Fab fabrics

Linen is already shaping up to be the summer fabric of choice this season with natural fibres the preferred option because of their lightness and breathable qualities. A trend for more sustainable and eco-friendly threads has also contributed to its popularity. There has been a shift in the fashion industry to focus on more sustainable fabrics, considering Australians are buying more than 27kg of clothing a year, making the country the second largest consumer of textiles in the world.

Summer shades

Colour pallets for the summer season are going to be quite neutral with pops of burnt orange and navy. Fiona said yellow and khaki are still highlights in the pallet and won’t lose their popularity any time soon. Students studying a Certificate II and III in Applied Fashion Design and Technology at TAFE NSW have the opportunity to explore textures and fabrics in a range of colours and apply patternmaking skills to make their own designs. Their designs come to life each year at the TAFE NSW end of year exhibitions held across the state.

Look book

The Grunge look that dominated the 90’s is making a comeback. You can expect to see more oversized shirts and jackets making their way to retail shelves throughout January and February. When it comes to patterns, Fiona said we’ll see everything from a feminine floral right through to futuristic look, which includes straight lines, mesh and metallic materials.

To find out more about studying fashion at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.