Winter 2014: minimalism versus theatrical fashion

'A decoration overload' is how trend firm Stylesight describes fall/winter 2014. As a reaction to minimalism, fashion will be dominated by folk prints, reptile motifs and silhouettes of Russian matrushka dolls. But there is also still a

longing for quiet. "We're seeing a revolution of the introvert."

According to chief creative officer Isham Sardouk and innovation trend consultant Philippa Wagner of trend firm Stylesight, consumers have lost their sense of longing. Longing for everything, in fact. The trend 'Sentiment', for example - which the firm is predicting will be a trend for fall/winter 2014 fashion - meets the need for human contact. "We have lost that because of internet," says Sardouk, who also maintains that current technology causes memory loss. "The only phone number I still know by heart is my parents'."

'Sentiment', featuring exaggerated decoration, heralds the end of minimalism. The trend, which includes plenty of lace, reptile motifs, and colours like eggplant and wine-red, is all about migration and folklore. "It concerns a new type of folklore," says Sardouk. It's not about Norwegian prints, but about a melting pot: Eastern culture mixed with Russian elements. "It's very fresh in appearance, like Kenzo in the seventies and eighties."

Its polar opposite is a trend that responds to a desire for quiet and revolves around minimalistic silhouettes in serene colours. Wagner: "In a world in which we are inundated with information, we feel the need to unplug ourselves. Quiet, modest people also receive more attention. The power of the introverts." The campaign by Selfridges, called 'No Noise', is referred to as an example. A key element of the campaign is a quiet shop. Brands such as Levi's and Creme de la Mer have agreed to sell their products here, but without featuring their logo's. Sardouk: "If you believe in your product, shouting isn't necessary." Even de materials of the garments seem to absorb sound: they're cuddly, soft and comfortable.

"Because blogs and Facebook have made our lives so public, we long for anonymity. Just like Maison Martin Margiela used to. The fashion house was very avant-garde, but lost some of its magic when it collaborated with H&M," says Sardouk. Shutting yourself off from the world makes you want to hide yourself in clothing. The head scarf becomes a fashion accessory, redefining its purpose as purely religious.

The 'unplugging' also enhances our imagination, says Stylesight. In this regard, fairy tales and science fiction become more important to fashion. The theme 'magic' manifests itself particularly in accessories that allude to black magic, voodoo and witchcraft. Old animalistic rituals also return as a way to control the world. Just like the prediction of fashion trends appears to be a way to make the world a more controllable place.

Finally, trend analysts are seeing a longing for extasy and cheerfulness. We've had enough of moping over products we want but can't have. We want pouffy hairdo's in pastel tints and fashion items with confetti prints. The colour of this trend: Pokemon yellow - the Nintendo phenomenon that was popular around the turn of the century. Colour blocking seems to be staying around for the long haul. In 2014 we will be seeing contrasting colours in prints, like camouflage prints in neon colours.