The latest design package for SS 18 spotlights women’s jersey and knitwear areas, covering tops, sweaters, dresses, skirts and trousers from casual street-styled pieces to upmarket luxury items. The middle ground falls away, leaving behind styles, which either connect to the street or push into the luxury sector. At the sophisticated end are jersey tops with chiffon sleeves or decorative crop tops with lingerie details, while youth-centric looks revolve around distorted classic sportswear incorporating unconventional design ideas.

Skirts incorporate movement in styles with a gentle flare or through the addition of splits, gathers and frills. Hybrid skirt styles combine the structure of tailoring with soft frills or gathers. Tailored trouser silhouettes are nostalgic with high waistlines and neatly cropped lengths. Sports-inspired pants feature gathers and drawstrings and shorts have a lingerie look with delicate details.

Structure eases off in generously proportioned styles and soft, easy shapes. Where there is structure, it’s softened with deep splits at the hemline, or wide cuts at the neckline. This free-spirited look opens the way for lighter, softer, more open fabrics in sheer lace; qualities with a fluid handle and fine cottons with added stretch.

In this season of contrasts, menswear silhouettes are divided and pull in two opposing directions. Slimline styles skim the body and contrast with wider and longer silhouettes, which are generously proportioned. Tailored jersey adds a casual note to structured styles, and construction itself is in the spotlight with contrast stitching and visible linings.

The new outerwear silhouette is dominated by unstructured shapes, and drop shoulder/rounded raglan sleeves add to the easy mood. Fabrics determine the finished look, which can be soft and shirt-like, or stiff like a protective uniform. The movement towards workwear uniforms throws the focus on pockets, reinforced panels and shirt-style collars.

The polo shirt is a key player with alternative versions for men and youth sectors. Stretch terry fabrics add an accessible retro vibe, and engineered knits upgrade the look with luxe yarns. Handknit sweaters feature subtle alterations to proportions and new points of focus. The relaxed mood expands into jersey shorts and pants in wide, easy proportions with fresh details.

There is a subtle push towards tailoring, which in the trouser/shorts sector, smartens up the look. Rather than having a formal effect, styles remain grounded with the addition of sports detailing and the casual, relaxed attitude of streetwear. Slouchy volume is balanced and controlled with pleats and a belted waist or a tapered cut and braces are revived as part of the trend for a higher waistline.

This issue provides original menswear designs and insider analysis for the shirts/woven tops sector. In it we take a look at the new stretched and expanded silhouettes, and the romantic detailing used to soften some of the contemporary lines. Hybrid designs provide shirt/jacket combinations, which are perfect for early spring drops, in lightweight and technical fabrics. Blank-fronted shirts take minimalism to the extreme and are a great direction for formal styles.

A brilliant design issue for the DENIM sector, complete with detailed design flats, fabric swatches and an inspiring edit of catwalk and street styles. The AW 17-18 season brings a fresh perspective on denim: OUTSIDER provokes with retro-influenced shapes and off-kilter decoration. INTERFUSION is defined by a new polished look for denim with exaggerated proportions, and CIRCULAR references workwear styles with distorted shapes and construction.

Inspiring and original accessory designs for Jewellery, Bags and Footwear markets, with detailed design flats outlining the direction of accessories for autumn/winter 2017-18. Actionable information-filled pages feature inspiration from the catwalks with additional information highlighting key styles for gloves, belts, scarves, hats and eyewear sectors.