Despoke caught up with Renee Labbe Vice President, Global Trends at Stylesight we managed to ask her a few questions about the changing face of global trend research.
Simple Question to start with, what does a VP of Global Trends do?
Simple answer – I manage a team of Trend Directors around the globe who facilitate customized trend direction for some of Stylesight’s clientele.
How has the web changed the business of Trends Research?
The web has become a platform to review and discuss trends faster than ever before, and it has offered a forum for new influencers and tastemakers – bloggers like Scott Schuman or Tavi Gevinson. For Stylesight, the web is a means with which to provide our clients with not just timely and insightful trend content, but also designer tools that help to reduce product development time.
Can trends truly be Global? Isn’t everyone different?
Global trends usually have regional variations. How trends are interpreted regionally is related to the wants and needs of the culture.
Does a great Creative Director really need Research? Isn’t their vision the most important thing?
A Creative Director is great because they have honed their research skills to be partially instinctual. Their vision for their specific brand is the most important thing, certainly, but it is curated from the way in which they interpret and utilize trends and influential factors.
When does a ‘movement’ become a trend?
There is no exact answer, as a movement and a trend can be one and the same. Trends are hard to define by any one set of parameters, and can exist in small regions for short periods of time or large regions for long periods of time. In its most ambiguous state, a trend is a general direction, such as military or bohemian.
How do trends happen?
There is no one path for the formation of a trend. Trends come from runway, from artists and icons, from changes in technology and consumer demands.
Why did you choose Stylesight?
Honestly, I chose Stylesight because I was enamored with the product, its potential for exponential growth into all areas of design, and the complete dedication to quality content and customer service that resonate across practically every employee and manager. It’s an inspiring place to work.
What kind of companies do you provide trend research to?
Apparel and accessories retailers and manufacturers, department stores, suppliers, interior designers, cosmetics companies, active and street brands, tech brands, automotive companies, and more.
What changes in global trend research /technology are you looking forward to?
Every day at Stylesight, the ease with which our clients will receive, digest, utilize and disseminate information is continuously getting increasingly easier. The rest is confidential, but I’m looking forward to all of it.
If in doubt always choose black?
If in doubt always choose style over fashion.
Find out more about Stylesight
Renee Labbe Bio
As Vice President of Global Trends, Renee Labbe leverages her wealth of experience to assure Stylesight subscribers realize the extraordinary quantity of trend information available at their fingertips. Renee develops Stylesight’s global trend series, which helps clients better understand and interpret the company’s trend forecasts via on-site seminars, trade show presentations, and global webinars. She also works to ensure that subscribers get an in-depth view of trend evolution, from broadest consumer zeitgeist to the finest design detail.
Renee has over 11 years of experience in the apparel and trend forecasting industries. Prior to joining Stylesight, she was the Canadian and West Coast U.S. Director for Promostyl, where she led a team of trend consultants and was responsible for developing the regional direction of evolving global trends. Renee has appeared as a keynote speaker at many industry events and trade shows, including Premiere Vision, the LA Textile Show, IIDEX/Neocon Canada, Outdoor Retailer, and SIA.
Tags: Renee Labbe, Stylesight
