JD Institute of Fashion Technology
Beyond Trends: Why Every Future Designer Needs to Learn Speculative Fashion Now

Have you ever looked at a crazy fashion outfit and thought, “Who would even wear that?”
Well, maybe not today, but what about 10 years from now?

Think about it: we didn’t expect digital clothes, eco-friendly mushroom leather, or AI-generated looks on the runway—and yet, here they are. That’s where speculative fashion comes in. It’s not just about the latest trends, it’s about imagining what people might wear in the future, and then designing it before the world even asks for it.

If you’re planning to enter the fashion world, especially through a top course like the Fashion Design program by JD Institute, learning speculative fashion could set you far ahead of the curve.

Designing Beyond Today’s Closet

Speculative fashion often starts where physics ends: in pixels. Amsterdam-based startup The Fabricant sells garments you can’t touch but can “wear” on Instagram, Fortnite, or whatever the next metaverse is called. Their digital dress proved that scarcity can live in code, not cotton.

Why it matters:

• Future designers must understand virtual economies, carbon-free production, and how digital clothes let people experiment with identity safely.
  
• Early learning of 3-D design and avatar designing knowledge, skills taught in the JD Institute’s Fashion Design course, prepares designers for the shift from real-world fashion shows to digital ones.

Bio-Materials – Mushroom Leather & Bolt Threads

Plastic-heavy fashion is under fire. Enter Bolt Threads, the biotech startup turning mycelium (mushroom roots) into Mylo, a leather alternative already tested by Adidas and Stella McCartney. Mylo grows in days, uses no animal hides, and composts back to nature.

Why it matters:

• Climate-savvy consumers and stricter laws will soon make petroleum fabrics yesterday’s news.
  
• Speculative thinking trains you to ask “What if fabric grew like plants?”—and then prototype it. Courses that mix lab visits with pattern-making, give you the confidence to speak both biology and branding.

If you learn to explore materials beyond cotton and polyester, you’ll not only help the planet—you’ll also be more valuable as a designer.

Chromat and the Inclusive Future

Speculative fashion isn’t only about spacewear and future tech. It’s also about designing for real people with real needs. The fashion brand Chromat creates swimwear and sportswear that works for different body types, gender expressions, and lifestyles. They start with an inclusive mindset and design clothing that fits everyone, not just runway models.

This approach opens up exciting possibilities for designers who want to solve real-world problems. It teaches you to think deeply, design responsibly, and create fashion that empowers. Speculative thinking helps you put people first, and that makes you not just a better designer—but a more thoughtful one, too.

Vollebak’s Survival Streetwear

Have you heard of clothes that glow in the dark or block radiation? That’s what Vollebak is doing. Their jackets are designed for survival in extreme conditions—like desert storms, freezing cold, or even outer space. These are not just fashion statements; they’re built with serious science and creativity.

As the world faces climate change and environmental challenges, clothes won’t just be about style—they’ll also have to protect, adapt, and perform. This is where speculative fashion really shines. It pushes you to imagine the impossible and make it wearable. For students ready to think big, this is your creative playground. 

So, What Is Speculative Fashion and Why It Matters for Future Designers?

In simple terms, speculative fashion is about designing for the future. It’s not just about following current trends—it’s about imagining what people will need, wear, and experience in years to come. Whether it’s through technology, sustainability, inclusivity, or protection, speculative fashion challenges you to think ahead, not just fit in. For fashion students, especially those preparing for the real world through strong programs like the Fashion Design course by JD Institute, this mindset teaches valuable lessons. You’ll not only learn to design beautiful clothes—you’ll learn to design for change.