Local designer examines clothing industry, predicts trends
By Isabelle Spence, Co-Content Editor   One only has to look down the halls of the high school to see a parade of ever-changing trends in clothing. The fashion industry is constantly working to meet the cycle of supply and demand generated from the adolescent community. This leads to an emphasis from clothing companies on predicting upcoming trends and analyzing changing styles.
  Erin Bowman works in this field, as a designer for Young Ones Apparel, a clothing company based in Seoul, South Korea. The company’s satellite office in West Seattle houses Bowman and six other employees. Bowman also serves as a market trends analyst and as a liaison between different parts of the manufacturing process.
  Bowman has been training for this position her entire life. As a child, she would spend hours assembling trend boards out of magazine cutouts, which helped push her further into the industry.
  “Initially, it takes someone who’s interested and has a keen eye of observation,” Bowman said.
  However, Bowman’s job hinges on more than natural talent. She attended Seattle Central’s highly acclaimed design program, achieving high marks throughout the course. Before graduation, Bowman was recruited to her current job.
  Part of Bowman’s job at YoungOnes Apparel is predicting market trend two years out. She then sells this information to outerwear companies, such as Patagonia, The North Face, and Nike.
  “Essentially, [being a trends analyst is about] looking for things that haven’t emerged yet,” Bowman said. “[We] try to find the subcultures, the sub things that are happening that people don’t necessarily know about yet.”
  These subcultures often emerge in prominent cities such as Los Angeles or New York. Through consistent visits, Bowman is able to detect upcoming trends, aiming to find marketable clothing.
  “[We] read the consumers’ mind before the consumer really knows what they are going to like,” Bowman said.
  While Bowman’s job is to focus on the customer, she has frequent interactions with companies as well. Bowman looks at overall industry and regularly talks to brands in an attempt to reform their practices and encourage environmentalism.
  “We’re really trying to push the message, to these brands, that … [they] don’t need to make new fabric for the next season in the new color; can … [they] please try to use the fabric that is left over,” Bowman said.
  While this idea of sustainability is in direct competition with Bowman’s own position of trends analyst, she believes that putting the planet and its resources first is more important.
  “The consumer is expecting these brands to keep and constantly supply new colors and new fabric, but at the end of the day it’s creating a lot of waste,” Bowman said.
  In addition to this aspect, other factors are contributing to a slight decrease in the relevance of Bowman’s work.
  “Trends aren’t all that relevant anymore,” Bowman said. “Basically, people dress how they want to dress. And having personal style is really the best trend of all.”
  Vintage clothing is also coming back into style. Consumers are putting more of a value on individuality, and turning towards second-hand shops as a way to cultivate their personal style. In general, the clothing industry is also moving away from the norms of the past.
  “I think there is going to be a big shift in the clothing industry and they’re going to start thinking about using old fabrics and old trends,” Bowman said.