Christine Boland, a reclaimed trend forecaster, lifelong interpreter of cultural undercurrents that shape consumer behavior, and founder of Trends & Mindset, has seen it all. The rise and fall of trends, the turbulence, political instability, and their direct influence on the fashion industry. Even on the way we dress. Against popular opinion, she seems to be optimistic about fashion’s future – these times may mean an end to ultra-fast consumerism and fuel creativity. “Today’s world is setting the stage for a creative renaissance in fashion.” Cover image: courtesy of Miu Miu
WHO IS DARIO VITALE? AND WILL HE SAVE VERSACE?
UNCERTAINTY NOURISHES THE MIND
“The stormier and uncertain the world becomes, the more creativity flourishes,” Christine Boland explains at the start of our conversation. “Design becomes a transformative force; a way to heal, comfort, bring balance, connect, and restore the human scale in an AI-dominated world.” As society braces for an economic downturn, amplified by the aftershocks of Trump-era tariffs (even though no one knows what they will bring about) and a broader crisis of global stability, Boland predicts a rise in what she calls ‘cre-activism’: “I would say creativity is oxygen, a weapon, a tool, and a medium,” she explains. Designers have moved “beyond making clothes”. Instead, Boland argues that they’re crafting emotional armor, spiritual anchors, and portals to meaning in an increasingly mechanized world.
REFINED BRUTALISM AND BEYOND
One of the most striking trends emerging from this moment? Something Boland refers to as ‘refined brutalism.’ “There’s a movement toward garments that feel like bunkers — protective layers that incorporate the sober essence of brutalist architecture, with a refined touch,” the trend forecaster notes. At Prada, coarse marled knits are created with such emotional depth that they evoke a one-person shelter against the outer-world chaos. In this way, fashion becomes a shelter — physical, emotional, and psychological. It’s a phenomenon comparable to the sudden rise of cutesy bag charms. Earlier, Business of Fashion noted that these have a deeper meaning. They serve as a nostalgic talisman in a chaotic world. Some sort of security blanket, you could argue.
A NEW WAY OF POWER DRESSING
Alongside the impulse to protect is another equally potent trend: reconsidering power dressing through a gendered lens. “We’re seeing super-feminine reinterpretations of traditionally masculine tailoring. Think men’s suits reimagined with a hyper-feminine silhouette,” says Boland. Houses like Prada and Miu Miu (obviously — Miuccia Prada has been the creative brain behind what’s hot and what’s not for decades, with her cone bras as a recent testament) are leading the charge, offering a glimpse of “a new womanhood” that is, somehow, at once traditional and radically forward-looking.
The shift mirrors deeper societal currents. Boland: “In the political arena, we’re seeing a very conservative swing — just look at the rise of ‘trad wives’ and right-wing youth movements. At the same time, research shows that girls are outperforming boys in school and at university. It’s threatening to some, and you see that tension reflected in fashion, too.”
THE REBEL PRINCESSES AND CRAFTSMANSHIP 2.0
Another spirit animating the collections for Spring/Summer 2025 is what Boland calls ‘Reconsidered Romanticism.’ It’s the rebel princess, the pirate queen, or the boho bandit. The common denominator? They’re women who own their narratives and wear their history. Houses like Erdem, McQueen, Sacai, Rokh, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry channel this energy, offering garments that hint at uniformity but carry a subversive twist.
Simultaneously, a deep reverence for artistic intelligence — the human hand — is returning as a counterweight to the slick, soulless dominance of AI imagery. “We’re seeing pieces so exquisitely handmade that it’s obvious a machine could never have created them,” Boland observes. Dries Van Noten, Bottega Veneta, Etro, Diesel, and Stella McCartney are among the brands leading this return to craftsmanship 2.0 — not crafty or DIY, but well-executed, emotionally resonant designs.
“Fashion is the language of the time we live in,” says Boland. Even the ubiquity of gradient prints — soft color fades instead of sharp contrasts — carries a message: nuance matters. “In a world increasingly obsessed with black-and-white narratives, fashion reminds us that there’s beauty in the in-between.”
ON THE ENDLESS CREATIVE DIRECTOR SHUFFLE
And what about the revolving door of creative directors at major fashion houses — a phenomenon that feels like an endless game of musical chairs? “The role of the creative director has become more important than the brand itself,” Boland says. “Creative directors are the brand storytellers, the emotional signatures consumers connect to. It’s been this way for a while now — the public’s loyalty often lies more with the individual than the house.”
In an industry rattled by insecurity, these rapid leadership changes signal panic instead of confidence. Still, Boland suggests that in an age defined by cre-activism and a renewed commitment to craft, the thriving brands will channel today’s turbulent energies into something genuine, human, and soul-stirring. “Understanding the zeitgeist is understanding what drives people,” she says. “And if you know what drives people, you can see and shape the future.”
christineboland.nl | @boland.christine
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