A desire to get away from minimalism is not what trend forecasters were predicting in the somber days of last fall and winter.

A trend forecaster predicts the East's emergence as the +7 dominant economic force in the world.

"White can be used in a mix and match way," said François Bernard, the French trend forecaster.

"Weaving represents comfort and happiness," said Li Edekloort, a trend forecaster.

"When the economy is better, you see more contemporary, because people are willing to take a risk," said Michelle Lamb, a trend forecaster.

If perfumers are the noses of the fragrance business, trend forecasters are its eyes and ears.

Sales of ski-touring gear in America are up by 87% on last year, a trend forecasters predict to grow.

The term was coined in the 1990s by Faith Popcorn, a trend forecaster and marketing consultant:

"I prefer that night to the weekends here," said Rachel Wolff, 30, a trend forecaster.

Designers' other pursuit these days is artisanal work, a trend forecasters link to turn-of-the-century nostalgia.