Birds To Take Flight as a Beauty Trend in Autumn/Fall 2011-12

Dubbed the “priestess of trends,” Li Edelkoort is a pioneering futurist who was named by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 25 most influential people in fashion. Dutch by birth and Parisian by choice, Li is President of Edelkoort Inc., the president of Trend Union Paris, Trend Union Japan, Studio Edelkoort, and Edelkoort Editions. Here, she shares her views on upcoming beauty and lifestyle trends.

Q: After nearly three decades in the trend business, as a lifestyle expert what do you see as the key lifestyle trends for this new decade?

A: We believe that we will be moving in the next decade towards more community-oriented behavior. Our attitude will be one of respect for our environment and our species; this is the reason why we entitled our latest lifestyle & design forecast "we are family".

Also, we were intrigued by birds and their social behavior for our new Trend Union Autumn/Winter 2011-12 fashion season, which we called "Taking Flight". Birds are a model of social connectivity and communal efficiency, as well as an incredible source of inspiration to develop rich color cards, fantasy fashion shapes, and nest-like weaves. Birds can also be a source for ideas in creative make-up, hair color, and hair styling.

Q: How do you define “lifestyle”?

A: Enjoying has always been the keyword to our lifestyle. Lifestyle is defined by an ensemble of ideas, attitudes, designs and aesthetics geared to celebrating life.

Q: What or who is “making” trends and what influences them strongly?

A: Trends are created by the public and the environment. They reside in the collective subconscious and in the unknown and can be detected by individuals who trust their intuition and are trained to detect signals at an early stage.

Q: The wellness trend dominated the beauty sector in the last decade. In the future, do you see a completely new megatrend emerging, or will we simply see a new definition of this existing one?

A: Well-being will be an increasingly important factor in our lives, tending towards health, beauty and also spirituality. A more domestic way to look at household chores will ground us and make us appreciate life with simplicity. Sound, dance and music will be part of the well-being continuum.

Q: What do you see as the important beauty trends for 2011?

A. Strong interest in the planet's resources, and an intrinsic need to come closer to the earth and its inhabitants, including ourselves. A stronger bond will be generated between humans and animals; an interesting track to develop sustainable products, interesting beauty looks and moving fragrances.

- Lesley Scott

(image at top: source; Li Edelkoort photo - Marie Taillefer)