The new 2020 Netflix Series 'Next in Fashion' is a competition series hosted by Creative Director Alexa Chung and Fashion Designer Tan France. Designers team up to create visionary looks that work for everybody to find the 'next in fashion'. Sponsored by NET‑A‑PORTER, a British retail establishment with more than 800 of the world’s most loved designer brands, including Gucci, Chloe, Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, Isabel Marant, Prada, and Stella McCartney, 200 specialist beauty brands and many more. NET‑A‑PORTER is the world's premier luxury fashion destination. NET‑A‑PORTER also offered the opportunity to retail the designs from the winning designer. South Korean fashion designer Minju Kim won Next in Fashion 2020.
This particular episode the designers had to work individually to create a garment in response to active wear. The series solely looks for what is next in fashion and what is predicted for future fashion seasons and with the athleisure wear industry growing this episode focused on the key aspects of active wear. The utmost important quality is being practicle. Active wear ranges from swim wear to dance costume and therefore the importance of comfort and practicality is essential as stressed in the competition. The garments created also needed the exstra layers seen on the run way to ensure it doesn’t just look like something that was picked of a shelf.
From this episode I learnt more about the importance of active wear for everyday lifeaswellas professional life. Whether the garments are being worn for the school run, brunch or to sleep in they need to be breathable and to fit perfectly. There was a range of inspiration used for each design for example designer andover allwinnerMinjuKim was inspired bysuper herocostume design and the idea that the consumer can feel like ‘everything is possible’ when wearing the active wear. Winner of the Active Wear episode British designer Daniel was inspired by traditional British heritage rowing wear which kept themes of comfort but was stylish and sophisticated.
As emphasised through out forms of exercise have life changing effects on mental health and can ultimately ‘save lives’. It allows people to feel they have control overtherelives and themselves when exercising whether that’s through going to the gym, yoga or even meditation which is often associated with yoga.
Adidas designer Josephine Auburg reviewed the designs from this episode and expressed as a experienced active wear designer the importance of active wear and how it’s an easy dressing option in todays fast paced world. The need for active wear to be quick and easy to throw on is important however the need to feel ‘confident’ when wearing active wear is key. Through the use of bright colours to promote happiness and flattering, well fitting designs active wear becomes an essential part of life.
This clearly links to my theme of health and wellness and the importance of looking after your self. Exercise is not only essential for a healthy, balanced life style but for mental health and self care. ‘Regular exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. It also relieves stress, improves memory, helps you sleep better, and boosts your overall mood’ (www.healthguide.org).
I enjoyed the variety of designs created and seeing the areas active wear is involved from the circus to swim wear to the runway. This could inform future work by looking at a range of breathable and comfortable materials used to create active wear such as Lycra. Lycra offers unrestricted range of motion, and then snaps back in place. It is also breathable, wicks moisture, and dries quickly. I could also perhaps look at the accessories mentioned within this episode such as head bands, socks etc. This source links to Textiles and Society as it represents the importance of active wear in everyday life not always for exercise. It shows the importance of practicality in the fast paced today.