When we look back at old movies and stories, it’s amusing to see how creatives of the time envisioned our world in the 21st century. Many thought that the 2000s would mark a new space age, where humans would have established colonies in outer space as seen in Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. Others had felt that by now we would have flying cars, robot servants, and so on.

Perhaps what’s even more amusing is just how most forms of media conjured up the fashion of the future. Think flashy and crazy outlandish outfits like those from the year 2015 in Back to the Future or rugged and post-apocalyptic looks similar to the characters in Mad Max Fury Road. Many scenarios, sometimes opposing, have been the stuff of fashion imaginings, but what has been a common element among all these futuristic fashion choices is just how creative each look can be.

Recently, Bench Fashion Week, taking place at the Bench Tower in BGC, Taguig, showcased new trends by local designers. Many of the looks presented pointed us to where fashion could be headed in the coming years. Here are some key insights from the show.

Bold and loud statements

Gone are the days of subtlety and basic outfits. In the future, clothes must stand out from the crowd through the use of bright, vivid colors. How else will you be recognized? Add in the use of accessories, like fanny packs, to add not only flair but also additional function to your look, such as those best seen through Bench’s collaboration with American Eagle Outfitters, MLB, Studio Bitto, Human Manga, Urban Revivo, and Secret Fresh. American Eagle and MLB stand out for their focus on comfort and casual vibes. Studio Bitto and Human Manga fits have a loud and proud appearance in neon colors that are sure to grasp all the attention. Finally, Urban Revivo and Secret Fresh show off the urban draw of streetwear.

Corporate chic

When the dress code calls for business attire, most might find themselves limited to the usual cocktail dress or suit and tie getup. It appears many of this year’s designers, however, have dared to push the boundaries of corporate chic. Such is evident in looks presented by Rafglang, Chris Nick, and Kashieca by Lucy Torres-Gomez. For Rafglang, traditional attires take a new twist as most appearances have a repurposed flair to them. Chris Nick’s fashion sense screams tuxedo fashion meets the Wild West. There’s a heavy use of blazers and cowboy hats. Finally, Kashieca by Lucy Torres-Gomez presents a modern a look perfect for lady bosses—operative word: lady.

Ethereal appearances

For those who love thinking of a future centered on bliss in the unbothered countryside, cottagecore reigns supreme. Elements of cottagecore focus on ethereal fairy-like vibes. It’s inviting people to be one with nature. Such elements are heavily present in the lightweight designs of Lulu Tan Gan and Renz Reyes, so lightweight they seem to whisk the wearer away without effort.

The importance of cultural identity

In this day and age of social media, which allows anyone to easily enter the limelight, much of modern society has called for better representation. We’ve seen in recent years how traditional looks have slowly been adapted to modern takes. Think shoes, backpacks, and clothes with tribal scripts stitched on. There’s a new trend of hoping to keep our traditional values thriving in this rapidly changing world. Such efforts can be seen through the designs of Abdul Gaffar and Mich Dulce. Gaffar’s work appears to be heavily inspired by Filipiniana and traditional Mindanaoan fashion. Meanwhile, Mich Dulce’s dresses make use of indigenous fabrics.