A+A VIBE 26.2 - ACTIVE COLORS & MATERIALS
A full range of colors developed for the activewear, tech and accessories markets It includes: key directions & themes of the season through, keywords and text, innovative materials & finishings, color harmonies, and inspirational imagery.
FROM THE EDITOR:
For this edition, we would like to focus and bring to light the most important mega trends that are shifting the
market and making an impact on consumer behavior.
DEMOGRAPHIC REVOLUTION AND SILVER-TSUNAMI: We are faced with an aging civilization in terms of gender
stereotypes and social roles. The high percentage of "senior" people within society predicts further growth in
the next twenty years. In 2050 it is es+mated that the “+55” age group will be 40% of the population.
GYNOCENTRISM AND IDENTITY FLUIDITY: There will be an increase in female gender acquiring power within
society with a strong gender equality, but also inclusiveness at every level. In both the digital and physical world,
there will be significant social and cultural changes linked to migration and the mix of cultures as well as gender
fluidity.
MIGRATION AND POLARIZATION: Climate change, political and economic crises are pushing millions of people
around the world to migrate. The number of climate migrants is estimated at 250 million in 2050. The effects of
growing polarization, the loss of social cohesion, the loss, in developed countries, of faith in democracy, leads
to a decrease in interdependence between countries and a growth in hyper-localization.
SECOND COLD WAR AND TECHNO-SOCIALISM: The fear of a second cold war are influenced by growing
ideological tensions. Military and geopolitics among the great world powers (China, Russia, US). Mega-tech
companies are under pressure due to their negative impact on individuals and society. The development of a
tech-conscious lifestyle that involves a more controlled and moderate presence of technology in daily life.
MIRROR-WORLD AND DE-MATERIALIZATION: the creation and development of a parallel, digital world with the
same characteristics as the physical world. The intense digitalization of society tends to make the physical world
disappear (retail, sales assistants, office staff, etc.). A new sense of use, possession and purchase evolves in
unexpected directions.
GENERATIVE AI AND METAVERSE ECONOMY: A.I replaces the human factor in creative fields. Unlike PREDICTIVE
AI, which uses data provided by the web to carry out analyzes and predictions, Generative AI uses Machine
Learning Technologies to appropriate existing texts, audio files, images, raising crucial questions on data privacy
and the potentially criminal use of such material. The impact of fake news, deepfakes and selective algorithms
will create an strong impact on people’s perception of reality.
ECO-CENTRIC AND BIO-ECONOMY: the transition from an anthropocentric civilization with man at the center of
the universe to an ecocentric vision in which every living being on the planet takes on the same value. An
economy based on the exclusive use of renewable biological resources, but also the growth of human activities
based on research in the fields of biotechnology and synthetic biology.
HYPER-LOCALITY AND RESILIENCE: a model in which the needs of a specific group, in a specific context, are
addressed exclusively to the local ecosystem. The development of a highly local entrepreneurial system, easier
access to products and services, the development of a short supply chain. A global economic crises: climatic,
economic, pandemic push society to have to quickly adapt to new scenarios in a fluid and flexible manner.
Resilience is the new safe value of the 3rd millennium.
KEY THEMES FOR VIBE 26.2
1 ARENA- macro trend (resilience, Neo-conservaSsm-ageism)
Trend concept: inspira+ons strongly linked to tradi+on, spor+ng archetypes and mass phenomena but revisited
in a modern version. Sports material with synthe+c appearance but linked to sustainability ( eco-nylon, organic
circular fabrics, new-gen bio-materials. Key sport inspira+on - football, basketball, 90’s joggerwear.
2 INCORRUPTABLE: macro trend ( second cold war, polarization)
Trend concept: A design based on resistance, solidity, resilience to counteract the vola+lity of our +mes. Slightly
dystopian where low-tech aspects meet infinate possibilites of design implemented by AI. Ergonomic volumes,
aerodynamic and futuris+c shapes, a steampunk aesthe+c but revised in a realis+c, functonal style. Compact
surfaces, oxidised, rusty, using bio-materials – rubber, resin, bio polymers.
3 WORKWIDE: macro trend ( industrializaSon, anS-science, techo-socialism)
Trend concept: a society that feels the global crisis and demonstraits a growing distrust in ins+tu+ons, with a
fear of the future, pushing towards tradi+onal values in search of protec+on and solidity. A more workwear
inspired aesthe+c. Synthe+c and high-performance materials are replaced by naturally derived fabrics
enhanced by innova+ve textures and composi+ons. Tight-ficng and body-conscious lines are integrated/
replaced by box-like volumes and func+onal de+als.
4 GYNAIKOS: macro trend ( gender equality, fluidity, incluseness, bio-energy, bio materials)
Trend concept: all aspects of the feminine world linked to the re-defini+on of the stereotypical social roles of
genders and the reposi+oning of female figures. The “feminine” is the ul+mate goal, a fundamental inspira+on
for materials, design and archetectual spaces linked to spor+ng ac+vity. Materials focused on psycologial and
mental well-being, quality of life.
5 PARADISE LOST: macro trend ( GEN AI, DematerializaSon, deepfake)
Trend concept: the complex and democra+zing use of new digital tech with Gen AI func+ons makes it possible
to imagine future worlds with and ideal appearance that profoundly influences contemporary design. An
increaing number of architects and designers are using AI as a source of inspira+on for their projects,
transforming the meta-verse into physicial reali+es. Gen-design draws on global archives and creates a reality
with dream-like aspects that have a strong therapeu+c and traumatological func+on.
6 PAPANDU: Mega trend ( de-globalizaSon, de-centralizaSon, migraSon, hyper-local)
Trend concept: local interpreta+ons of globally known sports. Interconnec+ons between cultures and tradi+ons
from around the world with archetypal sport elements. Strong influence of folklore, cra9manship and material
culture. Mix- match of materials, folk décor, classic spor+ng elements, lefering and customiza+on.
