F ashion gets its cues from multiple sources now. Our technology illustrates this as tracking algorithms become not only more sophisticated but also more commonplace.
Among the many influences this blog past mentioned included the influence of Cuba's normalization of relations with the USA. Alone, this may provide an aspect that can blend with other influences competing for relevance in our cultural dialogue. But some parts of the dialogue gain more prominence when other components serve to magnify the likelihood of presence as influence.
The political activity in the USA is among the more closely observed activities worth paying attention to, for the results matter on a global scale. Sometimes, the issues and demographics that relate to such issues can be of note with regards to trend influence.
In the 90s, the presidential campaigns and economic scholars took notice of the growing Latin demographic within the USA...and subsequently globally. The recognition of the purchase power of this demographic translated into a trend influence that merged entertainment with fashion and saw the more cliched aspects manifest in design. The last time Latin culture got its due was during the 70s, which the 90s mined for inspiration, so the trend found strength amidst the retro revival.
With the 70s & 90s returning (again) in fashion, we have Republican candidate hopeful and outspoken billionaire Donald Trump inadvertently bringing attention to the Latin community via comments on immigration that negatively inspired the Latin community to rise up. This awakening of the sleeping giant and the underestimated power of this demographic during what is anticipated to be a crucial and hotly contested candidacy only adds to the power of the Latin influence in coming collections.
The community not only finds itself under scrutiny over a sensitive political topic. It works in conjunction with the already notable focus in Cuba coupled with more recent economic attention due to dollar devaluation in South America; finding luxury goods at a bargain which will only further drive international attention as the luxury class heads to where their dollar finds better bag for their buck. This mass travel is sure to spur on attention to a part of the world already getting attention for the upcoming Olympics.
How does this translate? It already has, and now we wait to see how much further as the Spring Summer collections edge closer to unveiling next month to see to what degree the design community captures what the world already is focusing on.