2018 had an exciting run in fashion. Designers, at least internationally, decided to walk the talk. Diversity, questioning standards of beauty and even the #MeToo movement were mirrored on runways that were as much about showcasing opinion as about fashion. 2019 fashion trends will see boutique fashion labels take center stage.

There will be a lot of investors becoming interested in scaling up designer brands and more investment is expected. Retail, too, continues to change its tack to become the place where the consumer experiences a brand in a more holistic way. E-commerce & Instagram will help scale up young designer businesses faster.

Here are chic 2019 fashion trends that will rule the stage

Sustainability

Sustainability will be a big influencer for purchasing decisions. The percentage of eco-friendly and recycled fibers & fabrics in retail brands will go up significantly as consumers demand more sustainable lifestyle choices.

2. Functional Garments

Features such as adjustable trouser length, hidden and roomy pockets, adjustable slit in dresses and anti-stain, anti-wrinkle and easy care garments will become the norm. 2018 saw the re-appearance of reversible clothing, and this should continue to be a part of work-wear closets in the 2019 fashion trends portfolio too.

3. Fine Tailoring

Sharp tailoring with a focus on sleekness will be a trend. As consumers make more thoughtful and mindful purchases, they will seek quality over quantity. Price matters, but it will not be the only differentiator, as it once was.

4. Flowy, Floral and Feminine

There’s nothing straight about spring-summer 2019 — in the hems at least. The Boho dresses are here to stay, it can only mean more handkerchief hems, floaty hemlines, and feminine cuts. Garden prints will be a huge in 2019 fashion trends, prints such as flowers, leaves, and nature will be a certified closet ‘must-have’.

5. Sparkle All the Way

This will be the year of shining, shimmering sparkles. Metallic colors will be a staple in all fashion racks as everyone wants a glowing 2019.

6. Insta-game

Vertical videos (IGTV) will continue to change the way people use Instagram for fashion. The fashion industry continues to lead the change in the inspiring and creative ways it uses videos on Instagram and has also been quick to embrace IGTV. Brands, including Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Miu Miu, who embraced IGTV from the start, are taking advantage of the different ways to play and create innovative, vertical-first content. With the rise of millennials and the emergence of omnichannel retail, many fashion retail brands are exploring various strategies to offer seamless experiences to customers, like digitizing of in-store retail experience.

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7. Collaborations

This year will see brands trying out multiple mediums and formats. Collaborations will be more widespread. Dipping fingers in many pies is here to stay, given the quick evolution of the world and its consumption of art, design, and fashion. There will be several collaborations from high-end brands to medium fashion labels, big fashion labels to up and coming designers. It will be one of the highlights of the 2019 fashion trends.

8. Fash-tech

Marketing trends suggest various clothing brands would adopt augmented reality to create digital stores as the results become more prominent. Brands will be able to generate more-than-average footfall and transaction value. Virtual reality is gaining traction in advance countries and is not only used as a marketing tool but also as a sales enabler. Artificial intelligence too is transforming various business processes in the form of ease of payments, providing product information, offering personalization, etc.

9. Traditionally Modern

Traditional fabrics and cultural designs will sell well on the international luxury fashion market, because of its new-age use of traditional crafts. There’s a stronger integration of craft into mainstream retail brands. With several international brands sourcing crafts from different parts of the world, wearing Arab accents should be your go-to 2019 fashion trends mantra.

About the Author – Suhina Kohli Bahl (SKB)

25-year-old entrepreneur Suhina Kohli Bahl is the founder and CEO of Curador by SKB, and her impetus for starting the brand was inspired by new cultural discoveries when on work-related travels with her husband. Curador means Curator in Spanish, and SKB represents Suhina Kohli Bahl – the founder’s initials. The brand’s tagline of ‘Create, Curate, Carry’ reflects its mission, and while style offerings currently cater to women, a men’s collection is in the pipeline. The brand currently has a catalog showroom at 28th floor, Tiffany Tower, Cluster W in Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT) – Dubai.