Full Speed Ahead

By Kate Betts

Apart from technology, fashion operates on the fastest creative cycle in any business. For that reason creative types in almost every other industry keep an eye on what's happening in fashion. And so for every trend that comes down the runway, there are hundreds of trend forecasters pouncing on the next hot color, texture, fabric, shape or shoe. For spring you may already know that silver is ubiquitous in handbags and shoes and that the silhouette veers between a replicant look best realized by Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga and an overtly romantic vision put forth by Alexander McQueen. But never mind spring. At press time we were already on to fall 2007, when menswear styles, funky fur and the color gray will be the dominant trends.

In this special supplement to TIME magazine, we look at what's next in fashion, fabric, architecture, even precious stones and cars. Consider it a sneak peek into some of the most creative minds in these businesses--from Miuccia Prada exploring new fabrics to Jan Kaplicky of Future Systems explaining architecture's next wave. As for cutting-edge consumers, they're talking about a new austerity--not just an aesthetic but also an attitude. It's all about paring down and being more mindful. That too will change, of course.