NEXT YEAR’S FASHIONS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29983, 19 November 1962, Page 2

NEXT YEAR’S FASHIONS

Forecast By Electronics

(Special Crspdt. N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, Nov. 16.

If you want to find out the length of next year’s skirts or styles and the fabrics that will be worn next spring, there is no need to consult the fashion designers, says the ‘‘Daily Telegraph.” Electronic brains are now in the business of fashion forecasting in Pennsylvania. “Data is assembled about colours, styles, materials and other caprices that women have favoured during the current season,” the paper says. “All this is fed into computers, where it goes round and round and comes out as a fashion forecast. “The machines have already come to the conclusion that women will buy dresses with frank sex appeal, more definite fit, more curves, sleeves, lower necklines, subdued glitter, the long' look, military touches such as sailor collars and brass buttons, stoles, scarves, jacket dresses and more knitted fabrics. ‘‘All this and tunics too, plus large plaids. Green is forecast as fee most popular colour.

"If a manufacturer using this equipment had made the right forecasts, the garment industry could become one of the world’s largest customers for electronic brains,” the paper says.