This time last year we predicted that rosettes would be the new bows (sorta), red would be everywhere (✔️), as would tiny martinis (✔️), Pamela Anderson would launch a skincare line (✔️), some kind of Gross Girl aesthetic would come into style (we’re calling that brat so ✔️), tennis would become the it sport (✔️) and Lorde would release a new album (❌). Our crystal ball-gazing was actually pretty insightful, so we decided to look into the future once more, with the help of some plugged-in friends, and predict the big (and small) trends we expect to see over the next 12 months – from fashion to interiors, food to economics.
Scanning on a printer. Whether it’s picture scans or literally scanning items, instagram will be full of scans. – Connie Hutton, model agent
Dancing, a la Footloose. Sure, people drunkenly sashaying at bars and nightclubs is a tale as old as time, but I’m talking dancing like no one is watching. Like, as Sarah Jessica Parker says to Helen Hunt in the seminal 80s film Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, “I love to dance.” Pop music has never been poppier and people have never needed to let off steam more. I really felt this at The Spinoff 10th birthday party in September (their party Spotify playlist is here) and more recently I was envious of people living in Wellington who could attend the Underlena x Party Girl dance party. I predict there will be completely hedonistic, unadulterated fun dance nights around the motu, even if I need to program them myself! – Rebecca Wadey, Ensemble co-founder
2024 was the year of redundancies, so 2025 is the year of career pivots. The only question, since every industry is being taken to with a sledgehammer, is what career does one pivot to? – Georgie Wright, Ensemble writer
Vogue US will continue to feature guest editors, as Marc Jacobs did for the December 2024 issue. – Levi Tan, stylist
Peep toe heels (see: Addison Rae, Tory Burch, Miu Miu). – Zoe Walker Ahwa, Ensemble editor
It's time for beige to take a backseat, as colour is back on the agenda for interiors. From earthy shades to jewel-toned hues, the focus is moving towards creating characterful spaces that reflect your individuality. In a shift away from 'resale-ready' aesthetics, choosing a palette to express your personality celebrates home as a space for self-expression. – Alice Lines, editor of Homestyle magazine
Neon. Electric shades of green, yellow and pink. Nostalgic colours from high school discos. – Estelle Schuler, stylist
My trend prediction for 2025 is that the girls are gonna be phoenixing. After you've burnt down, burnt out, and feel like nothing will be good again comes this rising feeling. Just you wait. in 2025 you're gonna phoenix. – Lucy Blakiston, founder of Shit You Should Care About and co-author of Make it Make Sense
My daughter’s recently been in Melbourne, which we both find inspiring style-wise so I asked for her impressions on what people are wearing. Nico’s notes from Naarm include mixing up of bold patterns, shirts that have been re-tailored to form dynamic new shapes; skirts over tailored pants, lots of layering in fact: soft mesh tops over shirts or singlets, short wrap skirts over shorts or pants*, the Adidas lace-up boxing boot; black is chic forever whether form-fitting or baggy and especially accessorised with jewellery pieces: chunky bangles, bubble rings, ear huggies. And big bold bags are in. Tattoos are accessories too, tendrils peeking out of shirts or glimpsed in lace slip dresses.
*Sounds like a strong 90s trend to me. I did this back then to the extent there was a game in the newsroom: “how many layers does Kirsty have on today?”. As an Older Lady, I will be selective with any trends and stick to my usual mantra of aiming to look cool in summer, warm in winter. Whatever I add to my wardrobe though, I hope my husband will finally realise the correct response to a new purchase — like my recent dark denim barrel-leg jeans – is not “gee, those look comfy.” – Kirsty Cameron, editor of The Listener magazine
Matte lipstick making a big comeback. 90’s lip liner will be out and lip liner will be used as a means to contour and transform the lip shape. Matte white eyeshadow on the inner corners of the eyes and brow bone. Glitter and rhinestones worn in a face jewellery-like way. – Liz Hyun, makeup artist
A Parker Posey renaissance (after The White Lotus season three is released). Her role in Party Girl will become a style reference for Gen Z. – ZWA
Raye is poised to become the next pop sensation in 2025, thanks to her distinctive vocal style. – LT
When I saw these platforms on Caroline Polachek, I thought: great. Then I thought: Jeffrey Campbell Litas. They’re one of the few noughties trends yet to make a resurgence, so 2025 might just be their year. – GW
Even bougie-er coffees. When I was in LA earlier this year I became obsessed with a little hipster coffee shop that served espressos both hot and cold with a variety of adornments like peanut foam. Hot (or cold) on the heels of the strawberry matcha trend, I predict your local hole in the wall coffee shop will start offering up similar because a) delicious and b) opportunity for viral fame (sadly not fortune). – RW
As we move into 2025, I'm hoping to bring a touch of European and Sardinian influences to the kingi menu. I love the idea of focusing on simplicity and quality, much like the Italian philosophy of cucina povera - using seasonal, local produce - to create something truly special. I'm thinking of dishes featuring heirloom tomatoes, sun-ripened olives, or wild fennel common in Sardinia, all coming together to celebrate freshness and authenticity.
I’m also really drawn to the idea of foraged dining becoming a bigger trend. There’s something magical about chefs gathering ingredients. And fermented foods? I think they’ll be huge still, with things like house-made pickles or tangy fermented salsas giving dishes a delicious depth. - Stefania Palermo, head chef at Kingi restaurant
I’m kind of stealing this one from my favourite newsletter Feed Me (and also this Grub Street story), but the return of ‘clubstaurants’ – big, chaotic, fun, loud, indulgent restaurants that are basically the anti-wine bar. – ZWA
As far as entertaining trends go, let the Italian nonna be your muse. Think seasonal produce, table linen, napkins, and silverware – preferably vintage. Make the experience immersive by involving your guests in the prep. The mood is laid-back, the food is generous, and the aperitivi are flowing. – AL
Sustainable Fashion: A new wave of young designers will emerge globally, utilising unusual materials and prioritising reuse and upcycling. – LT
The conservative vibe shift in politics worldwide will be further reflected in fashion trends and how we (or some of us) dress: the continuation of clean girl and muted colours (see: Pantone's bland mocha mousse as the 'colour of the year'). But I think rather than quiet luxury, we’re going to start seeing overt conspicuous consumption – flash, glamour, logos, designer handbags – as people with wealth feel unburdened by the discretion of the past few years and are emboldened by political shifts to the right (to be fair, we’ve been seeing this for a while already).
My predictions: for some, we’re also going to see the return of big, bouncy blown out hair (the anti clean girl; also, rich people can afford regular trips to the hairdresser) and the tailored sheath dresses favoured by Republican US women which will be passed off as a nostalgic noughties trend (think Hervé Léger) but has much more sinister undertones (i.e. look a certain way to fit in and don’t question the status quo). I find this all very boring and terrifying, by the way. The alternative will be the inevitable hedonistic, raw backlash (see my point below about smoking). – ZWA
Less office girl more Boho Chic, nod at Isabel Marant. Think fringed jackets and boots. – CH
Collaborations: Major fashion houses will partner with emerging designers. A prime example from last year was Jean Paul Gaultier x Simone Rocha Couture Spring 2024. – LT
I can see health-conscious options continuing to grow. Low-alcohol wines and botanical cocktails using local herbs like kawakawa and manuka are so exciting to me. - SP
I think shoelaces are underrated. And hopefully 2025 brings in a wave of fun shoelaces we can add to our favourite pair of sneakers. – ES
Fantasy. In fashion, in books, in TV/film. When the world is hard we want to escape to a new one. Preferably one with like, dragons. – GW
Smoking. I’m sorry! But it’s already happening, in the culture: Dorit’s on-screen moment on the latest season of RHOBH; Paul Mescal’s pap shot smokes; Shirley Manson’s admission of picking up the cigs again (“it’s one of the few things that brings me any real pleasure lately and fuck it if it’s bad for my health”); Addison Rae's Aquamarine video; Charli xcx’s Parliament bouquet. – ZWA
Micro/mini shorts, especially in leather and suede. – CH
As we all aspire to live more sustainably for our planet my top tip for 2025 is to shop your wardrobe. Give yourself a Saturday morning and get everything out including the shoes, tights, belts, accessories, and a full-length mirror. Then picture yourself in the fitting room – try it on, mix it up, fold up a hem, shorten a sleeve, belt a tunic and create some new looks for work, for parties, for the weekend, then photograph them so you remember how you made that work. – Doris de Pont
I’m excited to see more weird shoe combinations on the pavement. Let’s normalise jandals and jeans. – ES
Lady Gaga will release her new album and announce a huge Eras Tour-style world tour but will, annoyingly, bypass Aotearoa. – ZWA
I predicted exactly this in last year’s list, but repeating it here: Lorde will release a new album and it will be closer in vibe and aesthetic to her Pure Heroine 2013 era than Solar Power. – ZWA
A Kardashian-Jenner is set to launch a high-end jewellery brand. My prediction is either Kim Kardashian or Kylie Jenner. Kim Kardashian is also likely to collaborate with another major fashion house, following her successful partnership with Dolce & Gabbana for Spring/Summer 2023. – LT
Ice cream with olive oil. – CH
The death of soccer jerseys. Rugby jerseys will start to make their way into fashionista’s wardrobes. – ES
Big bags; the bigger the better. Uncomfortably large and seemingly out of place. – ES
Cute and playful bags will be trending. Classic bag shapes will be reimagined with bold accessories, personalised charms and trinkets. Expect a surge of fun, innovative bag designs. My latest obsession? The Acne Studios Bowlina Mini Shoulder bag. – LT
The past two years have been about hot pink (Barbie) and acidic green (brat) – I think 2025 will see lots of softer pastels; yellow, lilac, baby blues. – ZWA
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