As an artist and designer, I feel that instincts and intuition play a huge role in forecasting trends for the next year. However, if you just do not have the innate ability, then I suggest keeping your eyes wide open for such trends as:

Shredding - now for the past two seasons we have seen shredded jerseys, jeans and imitations of shredding done with tassels. But, for the up coming seasons shredding will be done in a fresh way with torn and ripped transparent fabrics that are then re-stitched to create a layered graphic look…. captured yarns with open weave knits.

The use of laser-cutting made to look like lace, but there is an edgier look to the cuts. Red has been going strong for a couple seasons, and I can totally understand why… red is shocking as a dress and eye catching if it’s just a featured accessory. That being said, you will probably be seeing more of it in orange tones come SS’12. 

A major trend happening now that will continue on through to next Spring/Summer 2012 is colour-blocking. The mix of colours in shades of brights and pastels… or brights with brights, neutrals with neutrals - what ever you fancy, layer on the the neon belts, the pale pink and subtle neutral to combine a fresh new look. If you work on building on these trends now, you will be prepared for next year!