Ben Read, creative director, Matrix03.11.19
There are four "macro trends" that Matrix, through ongoing research and analysis, have forecasted as the big trends for SS19.
The four macro trends are: Project Me, Minimal Utility, New Woman and Eccentric Romance.
Project Me
SS19 has given self-care a strong and active re-brand. We’re living longer; social media is getting us down; there’s still stigma around opening up about mental health, especially for men, and we’re all losing track of how many calorie counting apps we’ve installed.
This trend is focused on the daily tolls and issues modern life throws our way; educating us with kick-ass, natural solutions and positive celebrations to combat them. Empowering us to take back control of our emotional well-being and fight back! Whether you choose exercise, ingestible beauty, meditation, a plant-based diet or a social media cleanse – project YOU is underway and ready to help you look, and more importantly, feel INCREDIBLE. You got this!
Minimal Utility
Minimal Utility stems from Normcore, which began its life as anti-fashion. Normcore was about anti-style; looking conventional, un-descript, anonymous and low key. Fashion has long been about making impactful statements – but in a world where everyone’s trying so hard to stand out, blending into the background is suddenly a way of being seen.
Previously associated with Scandi style, SS19 has evolved Normcore into something more street and outdoorsy; influenced by Japanese silhouettes and the desire to escape our screens and experience the natural world around us. Minimal Utility is a combination of core classic essentials with a utilitarian feel and durable fabrics.
Minimal Utility is effortlessly unisex and forward-thinking, with practical shapes and muted neutrals paired with pops of colour.
New Woman
This is the year of the woman – we are taking up space and lifting each other up to heights our grandmothers could only dream of!
The on screen stories we follow impact our lives, they shape who we think we are and who we aspire to be. We have grown up smothered by images of sexualised women, women being rescued for being too weak or mocked for being too strong: women aimed at (and portrayed by) men.
A new day is dawning and we are slamming more responsibility onto the media. We all deserve to see ourselves represented, not inhibited within this new future and intersectionality within feminism has never been more important! This trend is making sure that the next generation of girls will witness floods of ambitious, diverse women championed in society for their femininity, complexity and bravery!
Eccentric Romance
Eccentric Romance is a vibrant oasis away from everyday turbulence and mundanity, with its primary concern being bold expression and energetic eccentricity.
This trend is refreshingly led purely by visuals; a reaction to all the bright prints and texture clashes we are seeing in both homeware and on the runway. Think tropical botanicals, vintage fabrics and statement finishes, inspired by a variety of cultures – it’s time to show your colours!
More info: https://www.thisismatrix.com/SS19-trendmagazine
About Jones & Matrix:
Based in London, Hong Kong, US, Dubai and China we create, source and deliver private label consumer products for brands and retailers around the world. We consistently exceed the needs of our high-profile clients due to our 20+ years’ experience, heritage, knowledge and passion to always deliver best-selling products. We are innovative, imaginative and proactive, placing our people, processes and partnerships at the heart of what we do. Our structured and actively managed processes consistently deliver world-class projects, turning concepts and ideas into a viable and valuable reality that delights end customers. By managing every aspect of the project in the supply chain, we are able to give total confidence to our clients ensuring that we always build trust into our relationships. We eliminate all risk from sourcing in Asia; one of the fundamental reasons why our clients return to us time and again.
The four macro trends are: Project Me, Minimal Utility, New Woman and Eccentric Romance.
Project Me
SS19 has given self-care a strong and active re-brand. We’re living longer; social media is getting us down; there’s still stigma around opening up about mental health, especially for men, and we’re all losing track of how many calorie counting apps we’ve installed.
This trend is focused on the daily tolls and issues modern life throws our way; educating us with kick-ass, natural solutions and positive celebrations to combat them. Empowering us to take back control of our emotional well-being and fight back! Whether you choose exercise, ingestible beauty, meditation, a plant-based diet or a social media cleanse – project YOU is underway and ready to help you look, and more importantly, feel INCREDIBLE. You got this!
Minimal Utility
Minimal Utility stems from Normcore, which began its life as anti-fashion. Normcore was about anti-style; looking conventional, un-descript, anonymous and low key. Fashion has long been about making impactful statements – but in a world where everyone’s trying so hard to stand out, blending into the background is suddenly a way of being seen.
Previously associated with Scandi style, SS19 has evolved Normcore into something more street and outdoorsy; influenced by Japanese silhouettes and the desire to escape our screens and experience the natural world around us. Minimal Utility is a combination of core classic essentials with a utilitarian feel and durable fabrics.
Minimal Utility is effortlessly unisex and forward-thinking, with practical shapes and muted neutrals paired with pops of colour.
New Woman
This is the year of the woman – we are taking up space and lifting each other up to heights our grandmothers could only dream of!
The on screen stories we follow impact our lives, they shape who we think we are and who we aspire to be. We have grown up smothered by images of sexualised women, women being rescued for being too weak or mocked for being too strong: women aimed at (and portrayed by) men.
A new day is dawning and we are slamming more responsibility onto the media. We all deserve to see ourselves represented, not inhibited within this new future and intersectionality within feminism has never been more important! This trend is making sure that the next generation of girls will witness floods of ambitious, diverse women championed in society for their femininity, complexity and bravery!
Eccentric Romance
Eccentric Romance is a vibrant oasis away from everyday turbulence and mundanity, with its primary concern being bold expression and energetic eccentricity.
This trend is refreshingly led purely by visuals; a reaction to all the bright prints and texture clashes we are seeing in both homeware and on the runway. Think tropical botanicals, vintage fabrics and statement finishes, inspired by a variety of cultures – it’s time to show your colours!
More info: https://www.thisismatrix.com/SS19-trendmagazine
About Jones & Matrix:
Based in London, Hong Kong, US, Dubai and China we create, source and deliver private label consumer products for brands and retailers around the world. We consistently exceed the needs of our high-profile clients due to our 20+ years’ experience, heritage, knowledge and passion to always deliver best-selling products. We are innovative, imaginative and proactive, placing our people, processes and partnerships at the heart of what we do. Our structured and actively managed processes consistently deliver world-class projects, turning concepts and ideas into a viable and valuable reality that delights end customers. By managing every aspect of the project in the supply chain, we are able to give total confidence to our clients ensuring that we always build trust into our relationships. We eliminate all risk from sourcing in Asia; one of the fundamental reasons why our clients return to us time and again.