Thanks to people’s pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, stylish sportswear continued to show strong growth momentum in 2017, with many fashion brands even launching their own sportswear lines. According to the "2016 Global Trendy Lifestyle Consumption Trends Report" jointly released by Tmall and CBNData,within the apparel category, fitness-related subcategories performed exceptionally well, showing sustained rapid growth and demonstrating huge potential for consumer spending.
In recent years, the athleisure trend has become increasingly popular, especially noticeable in the United States. In September this year, Linda Fargo, fashion director of high-end department store Bergdorf Goodman, said while participating in New York Fashion Week,“Elastic fabrics, drawstring jackets, and silk nylon are the most commonly used elements in the U.S.”Various types of sportswear pants and windbreakers appeared on the runway, with Fenty Rihanna X Puma being a typical representative.
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Founded under the direction of legendary designer Yohji Yamamoto, the birth of the Y-3 brand was another tribute to the sporty fashion style, and its recently launched 2018 Spring/Summer collection once again demonstrated the strength of a top-tier sporty fashion brand.
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AtJanuary 24–27, 2018atBeijing National Convention CenterheldISPO Beijing 2018also took note of this trend. Since 2014, adhering to the core concept of “accelerating the transformation of the sports industry,” ISPO Beijing has been vigorously supporting China’s sports industry and embracing the golden age of the sporting goods sector. Rico Lee, founder of the 2016 ISPO Global Innovation Award-winning brand, during the April 2017 Shanghai Fashion Week (Autumn/Winter), collaborated with tech giant 3M and domestic sportswear brand Li-Ning to present an athleisure fashion show themed “Tech Lab.”
Striking a balance between fashion and functionality is the core element of the athleisure trend.
As the popularity of trendy sports continues to rise, the status of sportswear in the minds of designers remains unshaken. The styling, colors, and details all fully reflect the sporty vibe, making the pieces suitable not only for workouts but also for wearing at work or while out shopping.
One of ISPO’s goals is to provide designers and product managers with cutting-edge international trends in sporty fashion. ISPO has long collaborated with internationally renowned trend research institutions to study various global trends affecting the textile industry and its products. By staying at the forefront of fashion and looking at sports, it predicts future innovations and changes in the sporty fashion industry.
Liu Yiran, General Manager of the Apparel & Textile Products Business Unit of 3M’s Consumer Business Division, said in an interview:“Functionality and technology in materials are becoming a trend, with outdoor product designs and functions increasingly being integrated into everyday wear.”
It is also based on this shared philosophy and interpretation of trends that 3M will bring its brandFUTUROto participate in ISPO Beijing 2018, aiming for deeper industry exchanges and jointly developing functional products that align with modern lifestyles and fashion sensibilities.
The athleisure trend has not only swept through streets and alleys but also made its way into the fashion world.Nowadays, it’s common to see fashion designers or celebrities teaming up with sportswear brands to launch athleisure product lines. For instance, renowned New York designer Alexander Wang quietly collaborated with sportswear giant Adidas, bringing surprises to both the fashion and sports industries. The jointly launched athleisure line, marked by an upside-down trefoil logo, has once again brought athleisure into the spotlight of fashion.
ISPO Beijing 2018 warmly invites renowned UK textile trend consultantMs. Louisa Smithand France’s leading trend research institution PROMOSTYLto provide in-depth interpretations of color, material, and process trends in the sporty fashion industry, and they will do so atSports Fashion Trends Forum (January 25)Major on-site releases:
- ISPO Functional Textile Trends & Color Card – 2019/20 Autumn/Winter
- French PROMOSTYL Outdoor Fashion Trends & 2019/20 Autumn/Winter Sports Design Guide
C-end consumer demand-oriented, future “money-making” trends
Consumers are looking for high-tech, high-performance, and ultra-high-performance clothing.In 2015, China’s sports apparel market had already grown to $26.3 billion. According to Euromonitor International, this figure is expected to grow at a double-digit annual rate, reaching $43.1 billion by 2020. At the same time, data from Deutsche Bank shows,there is still room for growth in the athleisure sector,with retail sales up 4.1% over the past six years, compared to just 0.2% for non-sports apparel brands.
As the outdoor leader in the trend world, The North Face — whether through its long-standing deep collaboration with streetwear brand Supreme or its Japanese sub-brand in partnership with nanamica (THE NORTH FACE PURPLE LABEL) — has secured a significant share of the outdoor fashion market. Its global sales grew 6% in the first half of 2017.
Yoga apparel brand Lululemon has stood out among numerous sports clothing brands in just a few years. It’s reported that its Hong Kong store is expected to achieve $8 million in sales this year. Similarly, Skechers, which also focuses on fashion-driven demand, saw a 13% sales increase in the first half of 2017 to $2.099 billion, equivalent to 14.1 billion RMB.
After aligning with fashion trends, Anta’s sports brand FILA is also experiencing a performance boom. The relevant business is expected to achieve a compound annual growth rate of over 30% in sales from 2017 to 2020. Notably, Anta Group’s first-half net profit rose 29% year-on-year, largely driven by FILA business, where sales surged 50% year-on-year and currently account for 25% of Anta’s total sales.
The opportunities are the same, but the gains may vary greatly!
ISPO Beijing, deeply rooted in China’s sports industry, is not only committed to building a comprehensive trade platform for the industry and providing extensive business opportunities, but also works with all industry insiders to promote the shared development and win-win of China’s sporting goods industry. From January 24–27, 2018,ISPO Functional Textile Trends Award (ISPO Textrends) Presentation Areawhere attendees can not only get up close with the latest award-winning functional fabrics and materials but also be the first to access the premier sports design think tank — the 2019/20 Autumn/Winter Trends Handbook.
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