trendwatcher

plural trendwatchers

1. One who studies trends and attempts to predict future trends.

   With experience, a trendwatcher becomes skilled at spotting the elusive and subtle shifts that signal fashion change.

   2005, Evelyn L. Brannon, Fashion forecasting

   2 more examples

   During the '90s, some social trendwatchers believe, the same overwhelming urge to join will drive aging yuppies off their treadmills and into the streets.

   1991, Kurt Finsterbusch, Annual Editions: Sociology, 91-92

   Trendwatchers make good money out of this uncertainty and fear of the future. They specialise in self-fulfilling prophecies: what they claim will be the new fashion, will probably become the fashion because they say so[…]

   2007, Kees Dorst, Understanding design