Forecasting industry practices: Fashion futurists' careers

Fashion business practices have been shifting in response to unprecedented global macrotrends and consumer demands. The key implication is that fashion professionals need to continuously advance their skills and knowledge to meet future consumer demands and address global industry challenges. This chapter focuses on the key skills, knowledge and mindsets that fashion forecasters must have to address the fast-changing consumer demands, market environments and technological advancement. The role of fashion forecasting education in Industry 4.0 has been critically reviewed in connection with the recent higher education strategy approach. This chapter consists of in-depth interviews with fashion trend forecasters, who explain their daily activities and characteristics of their forecasting job and discuss their perspectives on the current and future challenges of forecasting practices. Further, the chapter discusses the roles of futurists and the skills, knowledge and mindset that can help to futureproof their forecasting careers. Finally, suggestions are given for students who aspire to be forecasters in the fashion industry.