What will be the biggest looks taking the fashion world by storm next year?
Next season one of the strongest emerging trends will be a move towards the organic, unstructured and natural. Pearl, oat and bleached linens with a homespun feel will be very much in favour, as will simple, functional smocks with tiny button-inspired details running up their sleeves and pastel stripes adorning their hems. Loose crushed linen dresses and shirts in flattering cuts with self-coloured embroidered panels will also be popular.
There will be a very definite move away from anything flashy or ostentatious and more of an appreciation of simple, beautifully-crafted clothes with a deliberate back-to-nature, little house on the prairie-feel to them.

Another influence filtering into the fashion world over the next year will be a very nostalgic 1940s-inspired retro-look, which will see designers attempt to recreate some of the glamorous fashions created during previous times of hardship. Longer-length dresses with large collars and front pockets in chambray will therefore be very much in vogue, as will high-waisted skirts with buttons running down their fronts. Anything with patch pockets will also be incredibly popular, as will nipped-in little jackets. Delicate fabrics and hues that are more familiar in vintage clothing will also be used, and long slip dresses in powder pink and baby blue silks will also be very fashionable.

There also seem to be a wave of tongue-in-cheek, funky designs coming through – something the pop singer Lady GaGa has inevitably had a lot to do with. Slogans and bold fabrics will therefore be very popular, as will any ironic twists in the clothing's detail.

The military look will also be very strong, but not in the traditional way we have seen in the past. T-shirts will have metallic military stripes and gilt buttons on them, while jackets will be adorned with rope trims, similar to those found on admirals' jackets.

Are there any colours that will be particularly popular?
Neutrals will be incredibly fashionable, with chalky shades, washed out pastels, oyster, stone and biscuit all becoming increasingly popular. However, brighter tones will also be making a comeback, with the perennial blue, white and red nautical theme growing even stronger. Vivid clashing colours in bold prints will also be demanding attention.

What materials will be most heavily featured on the catwalks?
Luxurious, high-quality fabrics and textures that are easy to care for and long-lasting are very much in favour right now, so cotton, silk, linen, chambray, buttery leather and cashmere will all have a strong presence next year. Embroidery will also be very popular, as will any clothing that looks as though it has been laboured over with skill – something which will be a welcome antidote to the throwaway culture of recent years. Natural dyes and organic cottons are also becoming more popular as an increasing number of consumers become ethically aware. Trims, buttons, sequins and oversized zips will also be in favour.

Are there any patterns that will be particularly fashionable?
Stripes will be big news next year, as will anything with added detail that gives the clothing and its wearer a sense of individuality. Checks will create a homely, relaxed-feel and be particularly popular in primary colours, while photographic images and scenes printed onto fabrics, such as silk, will add an almost fairytale-like quality to designs.

Do you think the recession has influenced fashions within the clothing world, and if so, how?
The impact on the clothing sector has been immense, but it hasn't all been bad. Generally speaking, it has forced the suppliers who were getting too greedy to pull back their prices and work that much harder on their designs. This has inevitably influenced the types of clothing being created, and we're now seeing far more imaginative pieces emerging. Consumer behaviour has also changed and customers are now demanding clothes of much better quality then they once were, and looking for pieces that will really last the distance. As an industry, we are going back to basics and valuing what is really important.

Have you noticed people expressing more of an interest in making, mending and customising their own clothes?
Consumers are definitely feeling more confident about customising their clothing and, whether it's something simple like adding ribbons to a dress, or a more challenging task like changing the buttons on their favourite blouse, customers are showing a much greater interest in dressmaking than we have ever seen before.

How can retailers capitalise on these fashions?
Craft shop owners can make sure they keep up with all the latest industry trends by sourcing new and unusual materials from all over the world. Over the past few years, the internet has exposed us to a wider range of products than ever before, and investing in something different or slightly offbeat no longer involves taking huge risks or spending a fortune on fabric. The key is to concentrate on small details, such as trims, braids, buttons and zips, ensuring you stock as many quirky varieties as you can. Zips will be especially popular next year, particularly oversized ones, which will be used to adorn everything from jewellery and cardigans, to t-shirts and dresses. Pretty French ribbons, antique or handmade buttons and fancy trims will also be very much in favour.

Rather than trying to keep up with the trends, focus on giving your customers as much choice as possible, ensuring they are able to incorporate certain fashions into their projects how and when they wish.