As the new year unfolds, Aotearoa’s industry insiders are looking ahead—forecasting trends, redefining style, and reshaping the way we consume fashion.
From a shift towards underconsumption and individuality to the rise of statement tailoring and jewellery, 2025 is set to be a year of bold choices and meaningful changes.
We asked some of the industry’s most influential voices—designers, directors, makeup artists, and creatives—what’s on their radar for the year ahead. Their resolutions? Buying smarter, dressing with purpose, and embracing both comfort and expression.
Here’s what they had to say.
Gosia Piatek – Kowtow founder
“When the economy is shaky, go big, stand out and be brave. Do things differently!”
“The pre-loved/second hand market is growing so much in momentum and a necessity for driving forward sustainability in fashion. Our relove program where customers can buy and sell second hand Kowtow was recently launched with huge success.”
“Comfort, volume and colour is still a massive trend – our first range under our new head designer Dayne Johnston is launching mid Feb!”
Joshua Heares – Founder & Creative Director at Porter James Sports
“A continued move away from streetwear & hype culture, moving more towards relaxed menswear and tailored products.”
“Men will buy more leather footwear (i.e. lace-up derbys, loafers or boots) than they will sneakers.”
“More knitwear!”
Jacki Brescic – Director at Fabric
“Oversized Tailoring – owning it like a boss.”
“Leopard/ Natural Hues and Utility wear – thinking YSL early 2000’s.”
“Denim continues to be number 1 – Straight, Wide, Cuffed.”
Marc Moore – Creative Director and Founder of Stolen Girlfriends Club
“Underconsumption: a huge trend on TikTok – buy less, buy better. Spend more per item on fewer pieces. We have way too much crap, look how many brands there are, churning out terrible products with no depth or soul. The world doesn’t need more landfills. We need pieces that make us feel amazing when we wear them; we want them to have a story or some kind of meaning and integrity.”
“Mainstream Luxury Brands: Their domination of the media and market has pushed their products to the point where everyone is fatigued. The market is flooded with products and the Creative Director musical chairs are becoming boring and predictable. I think we will begin to see a lot more consumers shunning mainstream luxury and hunting for cooler, independent fashion. Consumers are wanting much more individuality now and I’m here for it!”
“Jewellery: This category has grown so much over the last 3-5 years and it’s not slowing up. We’ve seen a huge increase in men wearing more feminine styles and embracing gemstones and pearls. Women are wearing heavier masculine styles and mixing metals, there really are no rules now. And we see this year as one of the biggest and best years yet. No longer is jewellery all about ‘my diamond’s bigger than yours’ – signalling wealth and status. The newer generations are shunning this mindset.”
“Jewellery can signal creativity, individuality, personality, love and passion. It’s this well- considered layer of complexity to an outfit, a subtle flex or punctuation mark. The finishing touch. I think when you’re on your journey of really discovering fashion and falling in love with it, clothing is the first logical step, and then you have shoes, handbags and eyewear. Jewellery really is the 4th or 5th step in that journey, and it’s so intricate. A lot of the time when you wear it, jewellery is on such a small scale on the body, so not everyone is going to notice it right away. It really is a personal detail – you wear it for you, not for other people’s view. And I love that!”
Liz Hyun – Makeup Artists and 2024 Power Lister
“Matte lips will be making a comeback but applied as a stain. Brands will be coming up with new revolutionary blurring formulas that don’t emphasise the texture on the lips.”
“Lip liner a couple of shades darker than the natural lips or in a cooler tone will be applied to shape and contour lips, as opposed to the strong 90’s lip line.”
“Gems and crystals will be incorporated to makeup looks on the regular. Applied on the face in a jewellery-like way.”
Sam Hickey – Co-Founder & Creative Director at Asuwere
“We’re seeing a demand for simplicity. The past year has been dominated by exaggerated trends – oversized and undersized silhouettes, some questionable combos. But as our customers mature there has been more thought in curating a wardrobe of high-quality, versatile pieces that work year-round rather than cycling through fleeting trends. Fewer, better options that make everyday dressing effortless will continue to gain traction.”
“People are tired of living through screens. In 2025, we’ll see a real movement towards spending more time in the real world. Catching up with mates, getting outdoors, going to events, sports matches and breaking free from algorithm-driven content. With so much of our experience curated for us online, there’s a growing desire to take back control, think for ourselves, and be more present.”
“Consumers are over relentless marketing and endless emails. The brands that win in 2025 will be those that offer real value – through great service, consistent quality, and a clear purpose. Storytelling, community, and authenticity will matter more than hype, as customers seek brands they genuinely connect with, not just ones that shout the loudest.”
Nina Bailey, Sophia Kwon and Billy Blamires – Te Wiki Āhua O Aotearoa Organisers
“Anti trend dressing (everything is a trend, so nothing is a trend).”
“Dopamine detoxes.”
“Fantasy/ Escapism”
Rebecca Rangihuna – PR Account Manager at Showroom22
“Maximalist expression takes over. Brat walked so maximalism could run. In 2025, personal style reigns supreme—think bold colours, eclectic patterns, and fashion that feels fun again. Beige minimalism takes a backseat as people look inward for inspiration, embracing individuality over fleeting trends.”
“Raw & real conversations. The era of curated perfection is fading. People are moving away from cookie-cutter narratives, embracing authenticity, and speaking their minds—whether in fashion, music, or culture. Expect more unfiltered moments, public discourse without fear, and a push for deeper, more meaningful conversations.”
“Wellness levelling up. Wellness isn’t slowing down—it’s evolving. From AI-personalised health plans to the rise of functional drinks and alcohol-free alternatives, people are prioritising mindful, inside-out wellbeing. Digital detoxing and holistic self-care will become essential, proving that true wellness is about balance, not extremes.”