What are trend boards used for in fashion merchandising?

Trend boards play a crucial role in the fashion merchandising process by serving as visual tools that showcase upcoming themes, colors, styles, and overall concepts that will influence product development. They help designers and merchandisers communicate their vision and align their ideas regarding what trends are emerging in the market. By compiling various images, fabrics, color swatches, and design elements, trend boards provide a clear and compelling representation of the direction in which a brand intends to go, facilitating the creative process and decision-making.

Utilizing trend boards effectively allows the team to foresee market trends and customer preferences, ensuring that new collections resonate with target audiences. This is essential for maintaining relevance within a competitive market, as it translates the abstract ideas of fashion trends into tangible concepts that can be developed into actual products.