A systematic review of natural colourants and trend forecasting practices for the textile and fashion industry

Abstract

Recent global interest in sustainable practices in the textile and fashion industry has inspired stakeholders to readopt natural colourants. However, integrating these practices raises several questions regarding the latest developments in natural colourant and trend forecasting practices in the textile and fashion industry. It also prompts inquiries about how to incorporate the use of natural colourants into current industry, and the role of the trend forecasting industry in this. Colour decisions, first in the fashion design process, are influenced by the designer's creativity, forecasted trends and factory capabilities. A systematic literature review was conducted to examine the latest developments in natural colourants and trend forecasting for the textile and fashion industry. This was compared with a desk‐based review of current trend forecasting practices. Five topics emerged from the examination of the literature of natural colourants: natural colourant sources; colouration technology; the application of natural colourants; culture and tradition; and industrialising natural colourants. Meanwhile, four areas arose from the literature of trend forecasting: technology, process, business and society. The in‐depth analysis of natural colourant literature focused on “industrialising natural colourants” papers and discovered four key themes: industry scalability; consumer behaviour; economic value; and marketing and promotion. Comparison across these reviews identified opportunities for incorporating natural colourants through technology, marketing and education, supported by trend forecasting practices. Further research and significant adjustments in the industry are crucial, either to facilitate the integration of natural colourants into existing systems or to determine whether parallel standards and tools need to be developed.