PPB November 2018

| NOVEMBER 2018 | 17 INNOVATE 1. Big—really big—prints: If ’80s neon was back in fashion in the first part of the decade, the oversized graphics of the early ’90s will be all the rage in 2019. Big names and bigger logos are all over today’s apparel and will continue to be popular. High-fashion brands like Alexander Wang and Gucci have been pushing big prints for several seasons, and those bold design choices have trickled down into retail and now promotional markets. Full-chest and full-sleeve prints, allover graphics and step-and-repeat designs are all good styles to add to your next apparel campaign. 2. Co-branding: Sportswear and heritage brands are more popular than ever. Companies like Adidas and Levi’s are dominating fashion conversations, combining a sense of history and quality with more modern fabrications. Co-branding has always strengthened end buyers’ products by tying themselves to recognized brands, riding on their credibility and adopting their values. With the emphasis on iconography in today’s fashions, having a client’s name appear next to those three distinct Adidas stripes can tell a story better than any commercial or print ad. 3. Color blocking: Color blocking has always been a staple in the promotional world, and its rise in popularity among the fashion crowd means suppliers and distributors are poised to take maximum advantage of the trend. Today’s color blocking has some small but significant differences from what you’ve seen in the past. Bolder colors with more contrast are in demand, sometimes even emphasizing contrasting shades. Mixing color blocking and printing is also growing in popularity, allowing the wearer to draw more attention to the logo on the clothing. Three Retail Design Trends For 2019 When it comes to retail looks, what goes on a shirt is as important as what goes in it. The printing, decoration and branding of an item play a major role in its appeal to end users.