WHILE LAST WEEK was a time for reflection on the year we've just put behind us, this year we return to the preferred mode of style watchers: gazing toward the future. Again we asked representatives from the Portland fashion industry to share their hopes, predictions, and goals for 2012.

Melora Thomsgård, designer/co-owner, Siljan

I look forward to more made in the US [products] with less "heritage-woodsy-owl-ness." (Please!!!!) Refinement and beauty should be just as celebrated an American aesthetic as the now-ubiquitous lumberjack chic. More silver, less slivers.

Bria Phillips, owner, Le Train Bleu

I secretly hope that in 2012 I will stop seeing so many Hunter rubber boots as everyday footwear. To my eyes, it's become like the plague of the UGGs. I know how tempting they are when you live in a town where it rains nine months of the year, but there are so many more attractive options than those clunkers. If you are out on the farm, or at the dog park, that's the place to wear them.

Barbara Seipp, designer/owner, Isaac Hers

I hope and I pray that grown women

stop wearing the little-girl double ponytail. Not only is this so 2000, but it is sooo unsophisticated and unflattering. Also, we are going to see more COLOR! After a few years of neutrals, look out for brights!!  

Emily Baker, designer/owner, Sword + Fern

Personally, for 2012 I see both men and women reflecting their newly heightened consciousness through fashion, now more than ever—and really fearlessly. For example, looks for day [might be]: an androgynous version of Stevie Nicks communicating with peaceful aliens while alternately floating in nebulas and riding horseback in a prairie. Ritual/meditation/yoga-ready gear: flowing fabrics, soft materials, interesting prints, easy to wear. Everything we wear will send telepathic messages, [and] we will talk to each other through our special way of dressing. Anything that promotes this message, garden/floral/plant/space/galaxy prints, especially on tailored tops and bottoms—things fit us perfectly.

Crisp, clean, handsome looks for men and women: menswear, androgyny, worn but tailored, [like] you just got finished working in the garden, and now it is on to the disco, with flowing skirts, tailored jackets, wild plant prints everywhere. LED fabrics. Celestial greenhouse disco. Sheer metallic, white lace for both men and women, natural fibers, raw silk. [We'll] shave crop circles into the sides of our heads, really tiny ones or oversized ones too, alongside shaggy or flowing natural locks.

Mirrors, high-shine metals, circles, extremely personal, meaningful adornments. Everything has a meaning, nothing is frivolous, and everything sends a message of nonviolence and peace. Every graphic will be designed in the effort to increase peace and the understanding of peace in a completely conscious way, no more violent/old-world iconography, i.e., guns, hater slogans, hunting, killing, cultural appropriation. Everyone finds interest in creating their own personal symbology, and connecting with designers telepathically is the new way of creating very personal wardrobes. Everyone clears up their issues with anything that has led them down that old path; everyone becomes completely clear in their understanding of what their own personal message is, and finds the perfect fashion to portray their message. Essentially we all become extreme empaths and our fashion will reflect that. It will be super easy to find the perfect thing to wear!!

Jakob Thomsgård, co-owner, Siljan

An even better season of Game of Thrones!!

Jonny Shultz, fashion director, Q6 Model & Artist Management

For men in 2012, I hope to see more jewelry: rings, chains, and pendants, wearing multiple at a time with MORE CHEST HAIR!  I think the Native American pattern trend will wane into basic geometric patterns mixed with natural solids (think blues, teals, greens, pinks). Polaroid will have a resurgence thanks to the Impossible Project, fulfilling the need for old-school-looking photos while still providing [them in an] instant, which we've gotten used to thanks to digital. And I can't wait for the launch of VFILES for the image obsessed (by Chelsea Fairless of Cat Party for V magazine).

What should die with 2011? Toms, feather extensions and hair accessories, headbands—especially braided. Raccoon tails attached to purses.

Tara Swenson, co-designer of Moonsssswoon, co-owner of Reunion

The apocalypse! And/or the end of big business.

Justin Machus, owner, Local35 and Machus

I am really tired of the lumberjack look, and I know the rest of the people inside the fashion industry are starting to tire too. I know it's Portland, and I love my flannel as much as the next guy, but this trend has gone too far.

Will Bennett, co-owner, Reunion

I really hope someone develops a reproduction of Geordi's visor from

Star Trek: The Next Generation—just to wear. . I think Beck had one made for him during the Odelay era, but I only saw him wear it once. 

Lisa Warninger, photographer, Urban Weeds

It would certainly be nice if people stopped wearing athletic shoes outside the gym, and kept the flip flops to the beach. Since I can't prevent that, I'll concentrate on what I'll be doing: Getting more long necklaces from local designers for layering. I'm loving the local jewelry designers so much [that] I'm putting together a little Urban Weeds shop. 

Caesy Oney, designer/owner, Draught Dry Goods

Taking a cue from Kanye and cutting all Draught Dry Goods 2012 collections in fur. Oh you want a camera strap? A crewneck? Yeah, I offer those in fox fur.

Anna Cohen, creative director, Imperial Yarn

Small prints and lots of them. Continued silhouettes and influences from 20th century decades that are multiples of three, lots of creativity smashed into small spaces, collaboration across disciplines.

Dawn Sharp, designer/owner, Dawn Sharp

In the coming year, I would love to see myself and my peers taking personal expression to a whole new level (dimension?) of intent and fanning the reach of our talents. I'd like to rise to the occasion of "2012" by consciously conducting my life (and my dress) in a more expansive and experimental way.

Elizabeth Mollo, backstage manager and show coordinator, Portland Fashion Week

One hope I have for the public is that people will stop wearing clothes that don't fit them properly. Skinny jeans and tube dresses do not look good on everyone (myself included). Dress for your body type, people! Some hopes for myself include saving up some money to buy a black carry-all bag from Ms. Wood, and finding really good basics that I desperately need in my closet, like silk button-up shirts, trousers, and blazers, preferably from local or vintage sources.

Molly Gove, Duchess of Accord (Style Consultant), Duchess Clothier

I continue to forecast and hope that people will buy more local and regional items and support their home communities. Also I hope they make those individuated toe shoes in a stiletto version.

Megan Arambul, Floral Designer, Fieldwork I predict that my business name will yet again be ripped off.