Trends change faster than you can spell the word “demure,” and a brand’s ability to anticipate cultural shifts is no longer a luxury offering, it’s an absolute essential. From viral social moments to first to market digital innovation, every industry needs to have their finger on the pulse to not just keep up in this ever evolving world, but solidify their relevance to the masses.

Perhaps no other industry understands this better than fashion, a field predicated on an intimate understanding of culture and defining trend trajectory. During our recent collaboration with Law Roach’s School of Style, we took the opportunity to discuss the nature of trend anticipation with COO Chloe Afari. As Chloe explains it, the key to staying ahead isn’t just understanding the what and the when, it’s the why and the how. “It’s important to gain a holistic understanding of trends and why they exist, where they came from, and how they are positioned amongst the broader cultural landscape.”

Unsurprisingly, technology has become a key player in this arena. The rise of social platforms and global connectivity has dramatically pivoted how trends are born and spread; a single influencer, an organic social video, or a designer's statement piece can spark a global phenomenon overnight. School of Style has proudly taken on this tech-forward perspective with their new digital-first fashion education platform. “Taking this platform digital-first has given us the power to reach a massive global audience. That was never the case prior to online learning becoming normalized,” Chloe notes. “With the access that technology and social media now bring, the possibilities feel endless for people looking to make a career in fashion, and there hasn’t yet really been a go-to platform or place for them to go to seek the skills or access needed to get their start.” School of Style aims to be that go-to platform that offers unparalleled professional insights, connection, and mentorship while lowering the barrier to entry to a historically competitive industry, a point that was exceptionally important to celebrity stylist and industry icon Law Roach when he stepped in as CEO. “I’m kind of a street kid from Chicago. I didn’t have a mentor. Through School of Style, I hope people won’t have to figure it out on their own. I want to help people get past those velvet ropes,” Law told Fast Company in October.

Technology provides a powerful toolkit and an unparalleled opportunity for connectivity, but it can’t “replace live, human interaction and the personal anecdotes that transform educational content into compelling storytelling,” says Chloe. Trend anticipation requires a combination of social savvy and personal storytelling. Reflecting on how this balance takes shape at School of Style, Chloe notes, “Law curated this program to incorporate other industry experts from his network, giving students access to the kind of real talk you won’t get in a traditional classroom.” These first hand accounts go further than helping students hone their skills, they lay the groundwork for identifying cultural currents before they’ve reached the masses.

Digital, social, and entertainment industries would be wise to take note of the fashion industry’s power to mold trends and shape culture, rather than being a reflection of it; the internet loves the nostalgia factor, but it will always be drowned out by the turning of cultural tides. Like generational defining style, impactful digital, social, and entertainment moments are found at the intersection of technological innovation and human intuition. “To stay ahead, you have to truly never want to stop learning, always be curious, and read as much about as many things as you possibly can,” advises Chloe. This drive to anticipate and shape trends — guided by a blend of technology, collaboration, and cultural understanding — is what will continue to define fashion’s role as a cultural leader for years to come.