Category
Fashion
Scaled Restraint
Trend cluster
Category
Character
Emulation
Style inspiration shifts from celebrities to fictional, on-screen characters.
6.0
Trend score
Trend
What is the Character Emulation trend?
Character Emulation: As pop culture fandom expands, elements found on the big and small screen are being creatively imitated among consumers. Using cult TV and movie characters as a source for style, consumers are seeking to showcase their admiration for pop culture awareness in a more practical, day-to-day manner. Making subtle nods to shows like Doctor Who and Saturday Night Live, consumers are using clever on-screen references to embody cult characters in a visually stimulating manner.
Trend themes
Themes within the Character Emulation trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Pop Culture Fashion
Consumers are creatively imitating cult TV and movie characters as a source for their daily wardrobe.
02
Incorporating Animation
Fashion brands are using animated characters as a source of inspiration when creating their products in an effort to make their designs more playful.
03
Fantasy Photography
Photographers are taking fairytale themes and creating shoots focused on folklore with strong feminine characters, as opposed to the traditional male knights and princes.
Industry implications
What the Character Emulation trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fashion
Fashion designers and brands are using popular culture and animation references to create new apparel lines and accessory design collections.
For
Photography
Photographers are now finding value in shooting fantasy themes, playing on classical tropes and femininity to bring new messages into images that are already steeped in lore.
For
Film and Television
Pop culture references showcasing popular TV shows and movies are influencing and inspiring fashion and photography work, creating a new hybrid industry that is playful and creative.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Character Emulation
Trend score 6.0 out of 10, from popularity 89%, activity 83%, freshness 8%.
Popularity89%
Activity83%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Character Emulation trend
5 featured examples from Jul 7, 2013 to Jul 21, 2015CategoryLifestyle
Sci-Fi Engagement Photos
This Couple Staged a 'Doctor Who' Wedding Shoot
Photographers can tap into the demand for themed and personalized photoshoots to expand their portfolio and services.
CategoryFashion
Female Fairytale Photoshoots
Darya Kondratyeva Captures Images Inspired by Empowering Female Leads
Photographers can explore innovative ways to depict fairytale characters through their lens, creating captivating and empowering images.
CategoryFashion
Sci-Fi Winter Fashion
The Moncler Fall/Winter Campaign Stars Lucky Blue Smith and Pyper America
Fashion brands can take advantage of the trend towards futuristic designs and materials in their collections
CategoryLuxury
Cartoon Couture Campaigns
Chanel's Vivid Ad Campaign Pays Homage to Flintstones Character Pebbles
The fashion industry can utilize pop culture references and a mix of classic and contemporary styles in their ad campaigns to stand out in a competitive market.
CategoryFashion
Unlikely Fashion Collaborations
Saks Fifth and SNL Team Up for a Key to the Cure Collection
Fashion brands can collaborate with entertainment properties to create innovative product offerings and drive sales while supporting charitable causes.
