Investigation of fashion forecasting methods of ready to wear companies in Turkey

Fashion forecasting, beside, it is a factor that provides competition power to the fashion firms, it is also a source of inspiration for designers. Fashion firms' approach to the fashion forecasting, methods that they use during the forecasting process, are the main subjects of this study. Preliminary interviews that were conducted by fashion firms in Turkey, revealed that fashion forecasting is included by the fashion designer's job definition. This study is a qualitative study. This study reveals that fashion forecasting is important for Turkish fashion firms. Turkish fashion firms, use global tools like trend forecasting firms, fairs, magazines etc. by ease to obtain contemporary trend data. Then they interpret those data by using local market data, consumer research and basic collection. This study also, provides some additional information like, the difficulties in design processes and in forecasting processes, designers opinion about the occupational establishments, organizations, and governmental establishment in fashion sector. That additional information included as long as they are related with research questions.