Key Prints & Graphics:

Women's A/W 23/24

Kaleidoscopic shapes pave the way for geometrics, a
mixed-media approach refreshes abstract prints and bold
blooms take on an otherworldly feel for partywear

Hannah Watkins
06.06.22 · 8 minutes

Katrina Lyne Watt

Twilight garden
Be it dusk or dawn, this story draws
inspiration from the in-between time, as
botanicals move into the shadows for
moody, romantic prints.

Why is it key? The distinction between day and Dawei

night blurs as lifestyles and working hours
become more fluid, ushering in Don't be afraid to invest in grittier, murkier
prints for women's, as consumers continue to
# DarkGroundFlorals that work for any time of immerse themselves in raw nature
the day. Florals are illuminated with flash
photography to update this commercial staple.
Jason Wu
This is a great direction for the rise of
micromonies – intimate celebrations for Check out #FlashFlorals on the Fashion Feed for further
@bernadetteantwerp
examples, from catwalks to emerging brands' collections
birthdays, weddings and day occasions.
Des ign direction: for youth, doctor photos
with # DigitalFilters and motion-blurs, while for
commercial ranges, invest in #Watercolour
designs. Swamplike camouflage mixed with @aethanwills

florals works best for casualwear and

continues the # NaturesTextures obsession,
as seen in our A/W 23/24 forecast.
Market this range as transitional from night to
day and from winter to summer, to answer the
consumer need to buy less but better.

Faith Connexion @samuelguiyang @amirtaghicollection

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Katrina Lyne-Watt Katrina Lyne-Watt

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Kaleidoscope geos
Build on the success of #Checkerboard with
hypnotic geometrics, as a way to inject
punchy newness into winter wardrobes.

Why is it key? Geometrics are having a

moment. According to WGSN online retail data, @sideline_ww
geometrics doubled YoY in the UK between
January-February 2021 and January-February Check out our Care Culture Forecast for
alternative means of applying pattern, to
2022, and saw growth in the US (+54%) and increase the recyclability of garments at end-
Germany (+49%). They also grew by 12% YoY of-life
on the A/W 22/23 catwalks, confirming their
importance for seasons to come.
Des ign direction: swap psychedelic and retro
looks for more sophisticated tiled repeats. Toast @sideline_ww
Radial designs are a great way to nod to the
kaleidoscopic feel, but choose tonal colours
for ease of wear. As mono-materials are
favoured by recycling plants, invest in laser-cut
designs and be sure to educate the consumer
@dodobaror
on the item's circularity.

Arthur Arbesser

With plenty of colour, this direction is an accessible way to

introduce dopamine brights to winter collections Jil Sander @vectoriseart

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Bibi King-Harman Bibi King-Harman

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Home and garden 
The #HomeHub and #Horticool trends
combine for a print story that focuses on
local living.

Why is it key? Global lockdowns encouraged

consumers to take time to nest at home and
nurture their gardens. We also saw a rise in DIY
backyard escapes as people created outdoor
spaces for work, hobbies and wellness. This
home-proud sentiment is set to continue,
driving a flurry of humble and homespun prints
Season Three
and graphics for autumn drops. London

Des ign direction: trellis-like ditsies, seasonal Every item in this collection
fruit and vegetable motifs and sprigged bulbs by Season Three x BABOON TO
THE MOON comes with a
work best for all-over prints, while graphics
packet of wildflower seeds
take inspiration from vintage seed packets and and is shipped in FSC-
horticultural books. certified, recyclable
packaging. 50% of earnings
It's important to root this theme in are donated to The National
sustainability by avoiding plastisol inks and @cawleystudio
Park Foundation
printing on organic or recycled cotton. Embed
seeds into packaging and labels to encourage
consumers to plant and help offset the carbon
footprint.
@shrimps

@rubbertimejournal Print Social Mother of Pearl

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Felicity Marshall Katrina Lyne-Watt

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Do it your way
Anything obviously handmade is key for
A/W, as consumers place a priority on
individualistic and one-off prints.

Why is it key? The heady heights of

# JoyfulExpression are toned down for A/W and
evolve into a more commercial story, using PROS BY CH

artful prints as a way to bring positivity into the

everyday. Designers continue to revert to a
childlike naivety but opt for a more
sophisticated colour palette to create
Tanya Taylor @christopherkane
widespread appeal.
Des ign direction: from collaged graphics to
ballpoint doodles, it's key to use a mixed-media
approach to update abstract prints,
conversationals and florals.
For graphic tees, turn discarded fabric scraps @samudaystudios
into collaged appliqué designs to help reduce
waste. Ensure the appliqué is the same fibre as
or compatible with the base fabric, making
onward recycling easier.

Alison Owen

As candles, ornaments and

ceramics continue to uptick in
interiors, use them as a focal
Toogood @bdln_studio
point for graphics

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Bibi King-Harman Bibi King-Harman

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Supernatural nature
The escapist possibilities of nature and
technology influence otherworldly
aesthetics for partywear prints.

Why is it key? As called out in our NatureVerse

forecast story, untouched worlds, from the
depths of the ocean to outer-space, drive a Love Hero

fantastical print story. The boundless design

opportunities that the # Metaverse offers is a
key contributing factor to this direction, for IRL
and URL products.
Perfect Magazine @hagiharatakuya
Des ign direction: draw inspiration from
supernatural alien skins to inspire the new
animal print. For a more commercial take, turn
florals into surreal forms. Create the wow
factor with bold repeats and hyperreal colours
Rodebjer
that pop on jet-black grounds. Print digitally to
lower your carbon footprint with on-demand
production while also increasing the
recyclability of the garment. And design IRL
items that tie in to NFTs to capitalise on this
growing market.

@artsciencemuseumsg @planttdaddii CYBR Magazine

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Katrina Lyne-Watt Katrina Lyne-Watt

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Rest and restore
This cohort of consumers, the Connectors,
demand restorative fashion, as they reject
busy pre-pandemic lifestyles in favour of
mental wellbeing.

Why is it key? Consumers are redefining what's

important to them. As a result, the caring @rafauriegas

economy is soaring, with me-time activities such

as forest bathing, sleep rituals and meditating
upticking.
Expect this restorative mood to reflect in prints
@aika_tenusis @sixxta
via fluid shapes in calming hues. Driven by
graphic designers, typography moves into a
more fluent state too, as sans serif and serif
merge to create a fresh inclusive type that
appeals to all.
Des ign direction: slogans and shapes should @type01_

be curvaceous, flowing and liquid. Drop this

range in January and February – a time
synonymous with prioritising wellbeing – and
apply to lounge, casual and activewear.

@magda.march

Partner with a forward-thinking graphic designer such as

Magda March, Beatrice Caciotti or Sarah Gephart

Marimekko @aika_tenusis
to challenge gender stereotypes in type design

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WGSN original artwork
Original artwork is editable and copyright-free. Hover over the image box and click the
download button to start using.
 

Felicity Marshall Bibi King-Harman

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Action points
Make geometrics, abstract
prints and large florals your
biggest buy
Abstract prints (+52% YoY), large
florals (+61% YoY) and geometrics
(+12% YoY) were some of the biggest
trends to hit the A/W 22/23 catwalks,
confirming their importance for
subsequent seasons
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Choose circular print and
pattern techniques
Circularity is an imperative in the
industry for a sustainable future. As
mono-materials are currently favoured
by recycling plants, explore alternative
means of applying pattern, such as self-
fabric appliqué, embroidery and laser
cutting. Otherwise opt for digital
printing to increase the recyclability of
garments
Look to lifestyle shifts to
influence print and graphics
New consumer sentiments sparked by
the pandemic are having a big impact on
design. Tap into these growing markets,
from calming restorative patterns to
gardening-inspired graphics. They also
offer an opportunity to branch out into
matching lifestyle and homewear
ranges for the Christmas gifting season
Invest in transseasonal trends
and day-to-night print stories
As consumers demand more bang for
their buck, buy into print trends that
will see them through any occasion and
any season. Think dark ground florals
and small-scale geometrics,
particularly for dresses that can work
as casual and occasionwear depending
on styling