The future’s closer than you might think. Clothes grown in vats, 3-D body scanners and waterless washing machines, vivid details from the worlds of Fashion Futures, are already with us.

The four scenarios each present a robust world in which could we genuinely be living in 2025. We’ve looked at how climate change, population growth, resource shortages and other major factors may transform our world, we consulted experts from all parts of the fashion industry, and we’ve brought the scenarios to life with details based on things which are already happening.

We’re constantly on the lookout for these ‘weak signals from the future’ which give clues to how our world may develop. Here are some of the ideas that helped inspire the vivid details in our scenarios.

In Techno-Chic the latest craze is ‘Chameleon’ clothing, a military spin-off, offering a blank canvas which can change colour and style, programmed to mimic the celeb of the moment. People ‘try on’ clothes in virtual mirrors using 3-D body scanners.

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories believe they could create colour-changing material in five to ten years:

• http://www.pr-inside.com/us-company-envisions-chameleon-camouflage-r1191740.htm

Cornell researchers are already using 3-D body scanners to study the complex problems of clothing design and fit.

• http://www.bodyscan.human.cornell.edu/scene0037.html
• http://www.human-solutions.com/apparel/index_en.php

In the Patchwork Planet scenario, clothes are grown from bacterial cellulose and waterless washing machines are common in areas experiencing water shortages.

BioCouture is a fashion research project doing exactly this with the ultimate goal “to literally grow a dress in a vat of liquid...”

• http://www.biocouture.co.uk/

A washing machine is due to go on sale in the US this year which ‘dry’ cleans clothes with reusable nylon polymer beads using just a cup of water and a drop of detergent.

• http://www.gizmag.com/xeros-washing-machine/12088/

In Slow is Beautiful ‘slow fashion’ is in vogue, and high street brands compete on sustainability credentials. People also wear ‘smart’ clothes that monitor their health and wellbeing.

Wal-Mart reportedly has plans to unveil a ‘sustainability index’ for every product sold in its stores.

• http://www.psfk.com/2009/07/retail-sustainability-high-low-and-inbetween.html

A suit designed to protect wearers against swine flu went on sale in Japan last year.

• http://www.psfk.com/2009/10/japanese-suit-to-protect-against-swine-flu.html

In Community Couture the fashion industry is highly entrepreneurial and focused around keeping costs down and reusing clothing.

Worn Again is an ‘upcycling’ company which makes new, design-led products from corporate waste materials like decommissioned Eurostar uniforms and retired Virgin hot air balloons.

• http://www.wornagain.co.uk/

In Sao Paulo, Brazil, a clothing store recycles fashion, paying customers for clothes in good condition and reasonably new.

• http://www.psfk.com/2009/08/super-cool-market-cool-and-conscious-clothing-exchange.html

Keep an eye on the Weak Signals blog for more examples of new technologies and trends that may shape our future.