Autumn/Winter 2027 Trend Forecast. The London Textile Fair
Autumn/Winter 2027 Trend Forecast
(Textiles & Fabric Direction)
The strongest AW27 themes centre on authenticity, tactility, saturated colour, and heritage‑driven motifs. This is consistent across leather, womenswear, shirting, knitwear, and print direction.
1. Authentic Materials & Soft Volume
A major AW27/28 direction is the return to authentic, durable materials — especially leather and natural fibres — with an emphasis on softness, thickness, and tactile comfort.
Nubuck and suede dominate for their chalky, silky touch.
Full‑grain calfskin and lambskin trend toward thicker, compact grains.
Vegetable‑tanned and chrome‑free leathers grow due to sustainability innovation.
This aligns with LTFL’s usual focus on material innovation and responsible sourcing.
2. Surface Texture Over Bold Pattern
Fabric development for AW27/28 shifts toward surface construction and tactile perception, rather than loud prints.
Key directions:
Brushed, emerised, enzyme‑washed shirting for soft winter handles.
Metallic yarn highlights on dark knitwear grounds — subtle shimmer, not sparkle.
Dry, crisp menswear surfaces with restrained checks.
Chenille yarns creating velvety, raised textures in womenswear.
This is a strong indicator that AW27 will be a touch-first season.
3. Saturated Colour & Jewel Tones
Colour moves away from muted post‑2023 palettes toward deep, saturated, ornamented hues.
Expect:
Burgundy, wine, emerald, sapphire blues
Futuristic purples
Caramel, taupe, spice tones for interiors
Translucent, vibrant leather colours
Earth‑toned maximalism
These tones will appear across womenswear, accessories, and interiors.
4. Heritage Motifs Reimagined
AW27 print direction leans into culturally rooted, ornamented motifs.
Key motifs gaining traction:
Paisley revival
Damask deconstruction
Painterly florals
Cloud‑like and reptile‑inspired leather prints
Japanese folk reinterpretation (motif family, not graphic design)
These motifs reflect a broader movement toward storytelling and emotional resonance.
5. Material Innovation & Performance Chemistry
Technological innovation is central to AW27/28, especially in leather and performance fabrics.
Innovations include:
Advanced acrylic polymers for softness
Waterproofing solutions
Synthetic tannins and waxes
Bisphenol‑free tanning
Lightweight acrylic polymers
Protein/synthetic fillers for “goose‑down” effects
These developments support both luxury and commercial markets.
6. Print Methods Worth Investing In
Print direction for AW27 emphasises engineered placement, ornamentation, and saturated colour.
Studios and mills are investing in:
High‑clarity digital printing
Painterly, expressive florals
Heritage‑driven repeats
Saturated, jewel‑tone palettes
Textural overlays (quilting, clouding, reptile effects)
Summary: What AW27 Means for Designers & Buyers
AW27 is a season of emotion, tactility, and authenticity. Expect soft surfaces, deep colour, heritage motifs, and material innovation. The mood is comfort + richness, with a strong return to craft, cultural depth, and expressive ornamentation.