Substanz Prototyping Featured in the WGSN Product Trims Forecast

Substanz was featured in the WGSN Product Trims Forecast, one of the leading global resources for fashion trend forecasting and product development.

The WGSN forecast featured six inspirational images exploring how innovative materials can be integrated into contemporary trim design, including imagery created by Substanz through its material prototyping work.

The feature highlights the growing role of next-generation materials, biomaterials and material innovation in fashion — not only as alternatives for large product surfaces, but also as opportunities for developing distinctive trims, details and accessories.

Prototyping new materials for fashion

At Substanz, we work with emerging bio-based materials and leather alternatives to explore their potential through design and physical prototyping.

Prototyping is an important part of this process. New materials often have specific characteristics that influence how they can be cut, shaped, stitched, layered or combined with other components. Developing physical samples allows designers and brands to understand these properties and discover applications that may not be immediately apparent from a material specification sheet.

This approach is particularly relevant to fashion trims and accessories, where material properties, texture, colour, structure and finishing can become an integral part of the design.

The WGSN feature provides an example of how material experimentation can feed directly into the wider conversation around fashion trends, product development and future materials.

From material innovation to fashion application

For Substanz, the aim is not simply to identify innovative materials, but to make them understandable and applicable for fashion brands and designers.

We support the process from material selection and sourcing to design development, prototyping and manufacturing, helping translate emerging materials into tangible products and components.

Being featured by WGSN alongside other examples of innovative trim design reflects the increasing interest in how biomaterials and next-generation materials can influence the visual language and functionality of future fashion products.