Motherland focuses on a return to form with the inclusion of modern technology. Institutional distrust will lead people toward personal intuition and more traditional ways of life.

Authenticity and community-building will be emphasized through the revitalization of artisanal craftsmanship.

Concerns over the environment will be the motivator as technological advancements provide the opportunity for more sustainable and eco-conscious dyeing and production methods.

Who:

The Motherland micro-trend will target individuals ranging from ages 25 - 45 who are eco-conscious, interested in alternative/organic materials, and wish to gear future technology toward a healthy, eco-friendly path.

Who:

The Motherland micro-trend will target individuals ranging from ages 25 - 45 who are eco-conscious, interested in alternative/organic materials, and wish to gear future technology toward a healthy, eco-friendly path.

When:

The Motherland micro-trend will grow over the next four years through 2029.

Why:

A growing lack of community and cultural identity within the U.S. and the world will lead us to look toward practices of the past. Distrust regarding AI and the political and economic institutions in place will lead to an appreciation of more intimate, authentic, and heritage-oriented methods. A growing emphasis on environmentalism will lead us in the direction of fiber bioengineering, made-to-fade and organic dye techniques, and easier automation of historic practices.

Why:

A growing lack of community and cultural identity within the U.S. and the world will lead us to look toward practices of the past. Distrust regarding AI and the political and economic institutions in place will lead to an appreciation of more intimate, authentic, and heritage-oriented methods. A growing emphasis on environmentalism will lead us in the direction of fiber bioengineering, made-to-fade and organic dye techniques, and easier automation of historic practices.

Color Palette:

The color palette for Motherland reflects the natural processes of dyeing fabrics, as well as, scientific studies regarding how color will be perceived in the late 2020s. Examples include nanotechnology’s ability to mimic color & light when it is reflected off surfaces such as peacock feathers or butterfly wings; thermochromic dye, which will change fabric hues with heat; along with the reintroduction of ancient dye techniques.

Where:

The Motherland trend will first be seen in highly populated cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Research shows a growing shift in values among young Americans. Gen-Z opts for culturally diverse locations while Millennials increasingly prefer small, community-driven towns. This phenomenon represents a shift toward community-building, cultural understanding, and homestead-building.

Designers:

The love of craft, care, and creation is an act being revitalized, stitch by stitch – the birth of something new, something designed to be cherished. The navy trousers by designer Amanda McVey were “inspired by the whimsy of Cyanotype prints, capturing memories in time”. The ornate, leaf-printed dress by designer Athena Papanastassiou, was painstakingly stitched from collected, dehydrated leaves. The necklace by designer Grace Henderson features drilled mother-of-pearl fragments hand-knotted together with cotton thread. The love of craft, care, and creation is an act being revitalized, stitch by stitch – the birth of something new, something designed to be cherished.