The Future of Fashion: A Techno-Poetic Journey into the Design Worlds of Tomorrow

What if, by exploring the fringes of our daily lives, we could build more engaging scenarios for the future? And what if letting our imagination roam could open pathways to actions that nurture both humanity and the environment? That’s the message behind the Visions series.

Julien Tauvel is a futurologist. In the 1960s, imagining the world of tomorrow was the domain of science fiction writers like Isaac Asimov. Today, the field of foresight and speculative design continues to embrace a rich narrative and creative dimension. With his agency Imprudence, Tauvel brings possible futures to life through stories and visuals. But this isn’t science fiction: his projections, grounded in a rigorous and realistic analysis of what lies ahead, remain plausible and accessible.

Tauvel makes tangible what life could look like for everyone in a world where, instead of drifting toward a monolithic, linear future, we branched out, explored the fringes, and embraced other possibilities. For his clients, he explores visionary future scenarios designed to inspire action and drive meaningful engagement. His scenarios are constructed according to certain values, such as greater inclusivity, a reconnection with the living world, fluid identities, and a return to a form of collectivism. In this respect, his work is political, and he takes responsibility for it.

How about the method? Futurology is not a scientific discipline but rather a form of critical design. It’s a branch of design focused on questioning the everyday, producing images and objects that act as spurs—prompting us to examine our choices and challenge the status quo.

At first, Tauvel adopts an agnostic stance, treating the situation as a backdrop. What kinds of worlds can emerge from this? This process of constructing possible worlds—known as “worldbuilding”—is inherently hybrid and multidisciplinary. It is essential to go beyond one’s expertise.

“To do worldbuilding, you have to explore every discipline, every field, every territory. In Europe and France, this cross-sector, hybrid approach doesn’t come naturally, as people often stick to their own domain." 

To bring the unprecedented possibilities of these new worlds to life, he begins with weak signals and turns to radical cultures and experimental technologies. After all, it’s in the margins that tomorrow’s mainstream is born. To detect these faint signals, his team brings together makers, scientists, designers, and “visionaries”—experts with deep knowledge not yet widely shared with the public. Finally, to translate these futures into vivid, tangible experiences that are immediately understandable, the futurologist also collaborates with professionals from the film and video game industries, who help him give shape and substance to his ideas.

To bring the unprecedented possibilities of these new worlds to life, he begins with weak signals and turns to radical cultures and experimental technologies. After all, it’s in the margins that tomorrow’s mainstream is born. To detect these faint signals, his team brings together makers, scientists, designers, and “visionaries”—experts with deep knowledge not yet widely shared with the public. Finally, to translate these futures into vivid, tangible experiences that are immediately understandable, the futurologist also collaborates with professionals from the film and video game industries, who help him give shape and substance to his ideas.

The Future of Fashion: What Lies Ahead?

When envisioning the future of clothing, one cannot ignore the broader societal context in which health concerns have become a key barometer of our lifestyles. Health insecurity—linked to the climate crisis and the threat to our ecosystems—has far-reaching implications for the fashion industry, as does the growing prevalence of certain cancers and other chronic diseases. How can we adapt to water shortages? To a world that’s 7 degrees warmer? Preserving life is clearly essential. But more importantly, if we reverse our relationship with nature, it could become our greatest resource for the future.

According to Tauvel, one possible scenario for the future of fashion lies in what he calls “synthetic realities," in which biotechnology and virtual reality merge to open up new powers and unprecedented capabilities. These realities introduce the idea that nothing is fixed; on the contrary, everything is modifiable and evolving. There is no clear boundary between the living and technology—everything is interconnected and interactive. So, how is this reflected in our appearance?

"As shapes and materials undergo a profound transformation, this could lead to clothing that resembles living organisms, second-skin implants, and liminal armor".

The international context also shapes future scenarios. In a climate of rising radicalization across various regions, could fashion become a tool for resistance? Might it evolve to serve individuals more directly? "The idea is less about looking to the designers of the major houses than observing those on the radical fringes forging new paths," argues Tauvel. The aim is to confront designers emerging from countercultures—especially bio-designers—with today’s urgent challenges. 

"Whereas in the 1980s and 2000s the fashion industry gave rise to countercultures and carved out radical paths, that’s less the case today. With the rise of luxury and mass-market fashion, the space for aesthetics rooted in resistance has gradually disappeared."

In a context where frugality is becoming imperative, the concept of living clothing is gaining ground. British pioneers Rosie Broadhead and Jen Keane, who incorporate encapsulated bacteria into their creations, exemplify this shift. Instead of seasonal collections, the focus shifts to rethinking garments as living entities. "Broadhead’s suits regenerate when they come into contact with sweat. Keane grows sneakers in bioreactors,” says Tauvel. “It brings to mind Ali Schachtschneider’s early explorations, envisioning garments that would grow on the skin itself… and be consumed by the wearer.”

In these future scenarios, materials become a second skin, armor, even a reactive, sentient layer that engages new sensory experiences. Echoing the work of Lucy & Bart, the futurologist also references Anthony Curinga, known for crafting living textile extensions. Another is Behnaz Farahi, who merges textiles and electronics to create breastplates that respond to the human gaze—contracting or expanding in real time. At MIT's Tangible Lab, where Farahi works, these bioelectronic possibilities have been explored for years.

Clothing is undergoing a transformation, becoming portals to the invisible. Tauvel points to Lauren Bowker, a specialist in textile finishing, whose studio The Unseen merges biology and chemistry in pursuit of new material effects. “She designed a precious, shell-like garment made from iridescent inks that react to the environment, particularly heat, revealing shimmering waves of color,” he says. But these creations are also gateways to the unreal. NFTs, tokens, skins—between avatars, video games, and augmented reality, clothing becomes a medium. Artistic directors act as shapeshifting creators, blending technology and storytelling to invent new poetic languages. Tauvel offers examples to illustrate this shift: "Rohan Mirza transfers pieces straight from video games into the real world; Filip Custic transforms them into physical filters; and Johanna Jaskowska, with her new studio Patio, reimagines them as Snapchat-inspired implants," he explains.

With garments now acting as gateways to new worlds, the boundary between reality and virtuality is becoming increasingly blurred. One example: "Zero10 introduced a physical pop-up store where customers could try on virtual clothing," notes Tauvel.

In the end, reality persists, sustained by our enduring need for materiality. From Matières Fécales and their creature-inspired fashion to Agnès Questionmark and Emilija Škarnulytė, who craft interspecies chimeras, hybridization remains a vital force in fashion. It falls to a new generation of designers to carry this cycle forward. Imagining tomorrow demands a willingness to stray from the norm, to stay alert, and to trust one’s convictions. The question for all of us is: are we ready to take the leap?  

Discover more episodes in the Visions series