Native Nomad Trend Report

Native Nomads is a trend i was unaware of until i was given it as my sumarative brief trend, it turns out its one of the main trends for AW16/17 combining the heritage of the Wild West and Native Americana from the late 1800’s, the first settlers on the frontiers of North America (colorado and Mississippi) reworked in a modern day way. The modern day cowboys and indians.

Stripping back to basic prints and patterns in history and using good quality artfully crafted materials such as suede, fur and denim. Animal skins and feathers typically inspired from native Indian headpieces and throws. Whilst denim being a hardwearing material typically worn by the cowboys.This trend has a very relaxed ‘lived in’ feel in the sense nothing appears skin tight. Comfy oversized slouchy fits are prominent. A vegetal earthy colour palette, featuring dark reds, deep browns, Tan and beige, burnt oranges, navy blues and moss greens. Relating back to the heritage as only natural materials would have been used to dye and create clothing. These colours are usually styled up in several layers, different textured items and clashing navajo prints and large scale geometric repeats on top of one another, toned down with denim or a plain colour (beiges) on the lower half. Often accessorised with boots and the infamous cowboy hat for men, Clint Eastwood style. Alternatively feathers and beading in the hair for women, or a thick woollen scarf or poncho. Less certainly isn't more when it comes to Native Nomads.

At first glance this seemed to be quite a wimsicle trend, one for those a little more willing to step outside of the box. Although i have since noticed the native nomad colour palette seems to be everywhere on the high street, especially in menswear. Its rare to see someone wearing neon bright pinks and yellows these days. So a toned down Native Nomad can be worked on almost anyone. I looked into Pendleton Woolen Mills (est.1863) specialising in sweatshirts of simplified native blanket patterns in their purest form, i found similar styles in highstreet menswear (Topshop and River Island) over christmas. However it isn't only on the highstreet that this trend can be found, it has even stretched to streetwear. Which is my area of interest, and where the Native Nomad trend started intact to appeal to me personally where it hadn't before. For example, Stussy takes inspiration from vintage items like patched quilts and transforms flannel shirts into versatile items in the nomadic colour palette which could arguably be worn in all seasons. In keeping with that lived in feel either done up or worn open over a t-shirt. Even higher end brands such as Valentino have been getting involved which more exaggerated cuts, and oversized items. I love the idea of stripping everything back to raw original materials, i feel this is a timeless look as long as it isn't overdone with too many layers or when ‘oversized’ becomes way too oversized.