Trends are reflections of people. They’re how we behave, what we value, and where our collective attention is drawn. They might seem fleeting, frivolous, or even lowbrow, but I’ve always loved how they spark conversation, shape identity, and bring us together (or apart) in unexpected ways.

Whether we’re talking about food, fashion, or the devices we use, everything is shaped by both macro- and micro-cultural shifts. And behind the scenes, there are entire careers devoted to decoding these changes and the motivations driving them. 

Contrary to the popular image of trend forecasters, the real work is far from mystical. It’s grounded in deep, methodical research, in which data is pulled from anthropological sources and studies, behavioral science, and patterns observed over time. And despite what it might appear like from the outside, these insights aren’t just materializing out of thin air; instead, they’re the outcome of rigorous analysis aimed at understanding why people are doing what they’re doing and where those behaviors could be headed next.