Samsung Fashion Institute Predicts 2026 Trends: AI, Small Brands, and Experience-Driven Consumption
Creatrip Team
2 months ago
Samsung Fashion Institute released its 2026 fashion outlook under the keyword WILLOW (adaptability). The six themes are Warm Growth Potential, Integral Market (rise of small brands), Light & Agile with AI (AI-driven operations), Lavish on Experience (experience-focused consumption), Officewear Onward, and Widen the Possibilities (bold strategies). Despite high prices, domestic demand recovery and rising fashion interest among people in their 20s point to modest market growth around the low 2% range. Small, narrative-driven brands will benefit from preference-based shopping and AI recommendation platforms; examples include Sand Sound, The Departure, and Anggae. Generative AI will normalize image/video automation and shift shopping toward AI-led “discovery” experiences. Experience-led products tied to travel, hobbies, and dining will expand. Officewear will evolve toward versatile day-leisure pieces with climate-adaptive and adjustable designs. The institute emphasizes bold, agile strategies for brands to remain competitive in an uncertain environment.
