Creative Tasks – Range Development Process
NIFT CE – GEMM COURSE
Task 1: Trend Forecast Mood Board & Buyer Brief
Scenario: You are a merchandiser at a mid‑tier
fashion brand targeting women aged 18–25. The season is Spring/Summer 2026.
Task:
- Research online (WGSN summaries,
Pinterest, Instagram, runway recaps) to identify three key trends: one
colour palette, one silhouette, and one fabric direction.
- Create a mood board (digital
or physical) combining images, fabric swatches (or printed textures), and
colour chips.
- Write a one‑page buyer
brief that includes: season theme, colour palette, key
silhouettes, fabric direction, and target retail price ranges for two
categories (e.g., dresses and tops).
Deliverable: Mood board + written brief.
Guidance
Sheet – Task 1: Trend Forecast Mood Board & Buyer Brief
Objective
To practise trend
research and translate insights into a creative direction (mood board) and a
structured buyer brief – core skills in the pre‑development phase.
Materials
Needed
- Access to Pinterest, Instagram,
WGSN summaries (or free trend blogs), fashion runway recaps
- Digital tools: Canva, Milanote,
PowerPoint, or physical: poster board, magazines, scissors, glue, colour
swatches
- Template for buyer brief
(provided by instructor or self‑made)
Step‑by‑Step
Instructions
1.
Choose
a target customer: women aged 18–25, Spring/Summer 2026.
2.
Research
online to identify three trends: one colour palette (4‑6 colours), one
silhouette (e.g., oversized, A‑line), one fabric direction (e.g., lightweight
linen, recycled polyester).
3.
Collect
at least 8‑10 images that represent these trends.
4.
Create
a mood board: arrange images, colour chips, fabric textures (or printed
swatches) neatly.
5.
Write a one‑page buyer brief with these sections:
o
Season theme (e.g., “Digital Bloom”)
o
Colour palette (list primary/secondary colours)
o
Key silhouettes (2‑3 shapes)
o
Fabric direction (2‑3 fabrics)
o
Target retail price ranges for two categories (e.g., dresses $40‑60, tops
$20‑35)
6.
Submit mood board (image or photo) + brief as one PDF.
Success
Criteria
- Mood board clearly communicates
a cohesive theme.
- Trends are specific (not
generic) and realistic for SS26.
- Buyer brief is professional,
concise, and includes all required sections.
Time
Estimate
2‑3 hours (can be split over two sessions)
Assessment
Criteria (Rubric)
|
Criteria |
Excellent (5) |
Satisfactory (3) |
Needs Improvement (1) |
|
Trend relevance |
Trends are specific, current, and
well‑researched |
Trends are generic or weakly
supported |
Trends are off‑trend or missing |
|
Mood board coherence |
Strong visual theme, well‑organised |
Some cohesion but messy |
Random images, no clear theme |
|
Buyer brief completeness |
All sections included, professional
tone |
Most sections included, minor gaps |
Missing sections or unprofessional |
|
Practical price ranges |
Realistic for target market |
Somewhat realistic |
Unrealistic or missing |
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Example Answer – Task 1: Trend Forecast & Buyer Brief
Research
Summary (Behind the Brief)
Target
Customer: Women
aged 18–25, fashion‑aware, value comfort and self‑expression, active on
Instagram and other social media, budget‑conscious but willing to spend on key pieces.
Trend
sources: WGSN
Spring/Summer 2026 preview, Pinterest “Summer 2026” boards, social media fashion
trend reports and runway reviews .
Identified
trends:
- Colour palette: “Digital Lavender”
(Pantone 14-3207), “Limpet Shell” (soft sea green), “Navy Blue” (anchor),
and “Cream” (neutral).
- Silhouette: Relaxed oversized (boxy
tops, wide‑leg pants) and “baby tee” fitted cropped shapes – a contrast of
volume and fitted.
- Fabric direction: Lightweight textured
linens, recycled polyester mesh (for layering), and soft cotton jersey.
Buyer
Brief – Spring/Summer 2026
Brand: Bloom & Co. (mid‑tier,
youthful, accessible)
Season: Spring/Summer 2026
Target Customer: Female, 18–25, urban, social media active, values
both trendiness and comfort.
1. Season
Theme: Digital
Bloom – a fusion of Y2K nostalgia and futuristic optimism. Soft
digital colours meet tactile, airy fabrics. Think “meet‑me‑at‑the‑rave meets
garden party.”
2. Colour
Palette:
- Primary: Digital Lavender
(Pantone 14-3207)
- Secondary: Limpet Shell (soft
green), Navy Blue
- Accent: Cream
- (No harsh brights – focus on
washable, dreamy tones.)
3. Key
Silhouettes (must‑haves):
- Oversized boxy t‑shirt – dropped shoulder, wide
neck, length 26”.
- Wide‑leg pleated short – high waist, 5” inseam,
paperbag waist.
- Fitted cropped baby tee – 18” length, ribbed
jersey.
- Sheer mesh layering top – long sleeve, mock neck,
recycled polyester.
4. Fabric
Direction:
- Lightweight linen blend (55%
linen / 45% viscose) – for oversized shirts and shorts.
- Recycled polyester mesh (100%
rPET) – for layering tops.
- Soft cotton jersey (100% organic
cotton, 180 gsm) – for baby tees and dresses.
5. Target
Retail Price Ranges (USD):
|
Category |
Opening Price |
Core Price |
Premium Price |
|
Tops (t‑shirts, baby tees, mesh) |
$20 – $25 |
$28 – $35 |
$38 – $45 |
|
Dresses (mini shirt dress,
sleeveless knit dress) |
$35 – $45 |
$48 – $60 |
$65 – $80 |
6.
Additional Notes:
- At least 60% of the tops should
be in Digital Lavender or Cream.
- All mesh tops must be lined or
designed for layering (sheer is acceptable).
- Minimum 50% of fabrics to be
recycled or organic.
How This
Brief Would Be Used
The merchandiser would share this brief with the design team and sourcing team.
The design team creates sketches and mood boards based on the silhouettes and colours.
The sourcing team starts looking for linen blends and recycled mesh meeting the price targets.
The range architect uses the price ranges and category splits to set SKU (Stock Keeping Unit )counts.
CREATE
THE MOODBOARD ON PPT OR CANVA OR ANY OTHER TOOL
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