A  few more collections for 2018 Resort have surfaced, and here is where we see multiple themes coming up. These are noted and watched to see whether ideas are unique and fleeting or representational of something that will grow to represent a larger point of view. Some concepts can usher in new changes in mindset while others will be momentarily relevant and subject to changing whims of the public. In any case, all must be scrutinized and logged, and such is the behind-the-scenes job for anyone watching trend directions and something this blog undertakes for your benefit.

The expansion of origins takes on multiple facets as more collections come forth. If collections have been geared towards maximizing international appeal, it has been largely to satisfy the business aspect that is crucial to survival. But what of the soul? Part of the appeal is the unique personality that draws one to a specific designer that may either speak the same shared internal language or conveys a similar sentiment that connects with one's life circle. This matters when looking for something that bridges external relevance with internal emotions. Those that succeed with their chosen demographic grow while others that do not will have to go back to the drawing board. The balance of these approaches is what makes a designer successful, and we see the oscillation as certain brands reign from season to season; some are hot, some are not and as long as they adapt they all remain.

So how does this connect to the concept of origins? The international thread is one of the collective navel-gazing as we try to understand how we got to where we are while witnessing extremes of humanity brought forth with greater ease and greater detail thanks to our advancements now at hand. To know our origins is to know ourselves, and the immersion into history and the past has gained strength to the degree that it now has openly become a theme this season, so we know the concept is strong. Our entertainment in film an television covers open exploration of histories and origins in the form of prequels and in proliferation of time travel exploration as vehicles for light introspection. The attention to past actions come up every time past social media and internet information is mined and resurfaced.accountability of opinion and action has more meaning (thank you, American politics) as we watch events toying with darker possibilities and we struggle to find solutions as knowledge means we have less excuses to know and do better.

For design this also means opening the doors to more personal focus regarding origins. The heart of what matters...the source of inspiration... is the connection. For Dion Lee, Just Cavalli, Kitx and Prada, it's about personal history of what the label is known to be connected to at its most core level or what it upholds as personal values, translated into the collection as a reminder to the public of what it stands for. For Dior it's the connection to its own historic influences revisited while for Chanel and Louis Vuitton the incorporation of historic references as inspiration was part of its roots towards collective internationalization as its platform. The balance of personal values and history allows the consumer to view a window into something at once intimate and universal. They invite to share, to communicate if we are willing to listen.

​In these consulted times, we are attempting to do the same. There is realization that empathy and connection are far more powerful than demonstration and force are more persuasive on social levels where acceptance and inclusion become worthiest of noble goals. On a superficial yet meaningful level, fashion seeks to do the same. We will be listening as more collections come forth; we may have more to learn.