This document discusses trends in fashion trend prediction resources and how libraries can best utilize them. It outlines key issues like what trend predictions are, how to select stock, adapting industry products for academic use, accessibility, moving from print to online formats, and using predictions in teaching. The document also covers dynamically managing collections through consultation, reviewing usage, and planning future developments like more online content and promotional activities.

1. Predicting Trends in Trend Predictions:
dynamic collection management
Carol Keddie
Sharon Laverick

2. Outline of the session
Exploration of some key issues around these
resources:
 What are trend predictions?
 Stock selection
 Industry product in academic context
 Accessibility
 Print to online
 Collection review
 Future developments

3. Introduction to Fashion Trend Prediction
Packages
• Focus
• What are they
• Frequency
• Range of titles
• Format

4. Forecasts that inspire.
“We’re here to stimulate your creativity and nurture your
inspiration by keeping you up to date about emerging trends
from every continent. In all realms - consumer and designer
needs, expectations and behavior - the world is alive with
social and aesthetic innovations and teeming with talent and
desire.
With so many signs pointing to the future and waiting to be
noticed, our role is to carefully filter them and put them into
perspective.
Stay aware to be prepared.”
• http://nellyrodi.com/en/inspire

5. Stock selection: which packages to
provide?
• Big investment, needs informed decision
• Not fixed – meets changing interests in
departments
• Who makes this decision?
– Move from autocratic system to more
collaborative approach
– Loss of expert knowledge, but increased liaison

6. Product designed for industry use
• Adapting this for an academic
context
• Commercially sensitive
• Very expensive
• Online - designed for up to 3 users

7. Accessibility
• Need to balance usage with security
• Restrict use to DMU staff and students only
• Fragile and vulnerable content
• Size and format – problematic for shelving

8. Move from print to online content
• Access to WGSN – Issues with colours,
textures and downloads eg flats gallery
• Online products from forecasting houses – only
up to 3 users
• However, impact on usage figures

9. Predictions in practice: using them in
teaching
• Managing the use of these resources
in teaching
– Room bookings
– Extra copies?

10. Dynamic management
• Consulting with academic staff
• Agenda point on departmental staff away
day
• Librarians presenting the main issues
• Looking at usage figures
• Staff survey

11. Future developments
• More online content
• Promotional activities – Trend
Festival in the autumn term
• Extending usage to other
departments in Design