If you’ve been following Pattern Observer for any amount of time, you’ll know that I am always drawn to textures and layers. So, it will be no surprise to you that I have my eye on the reemerging trend of soft, dreamy flowers. Think of it like looking at flowers on a misty morning. You can see them, but they’re softened and mysterious. It’s that intriguing play between what’s hidden and what’s revealed that makes this trend so captivating.
What’s Behind This Dreamy Trend?
This isn’t just another pretty look (though it definitely is pretty!). The Veiled Beauty trend speaks to something deeper we’re all feeling right now. In a world that’s moving incredibly fast, there’s something soothing about designs, art, products, etc.. that slow us down and make us look a little closer.
Color forecasters at C2 Fashion Studio have spotted “Moonlight Haze” as one of the key colors for A/W 26/27. Identified as Pantone 17-3922 TCX, it’s a soft, pale blue that feels like starlight and moonbeams rolled into one. It’s the perfect color to capture that otherworldly feeling we’re all craving. This dreamy shade works beautifully in textiles and materials, adding that magical glow that makes you want to reach out and touch it.
For us textile designers, this opens up incredible possibilities to create patterns that feel both grounded in nature and touched by something special.
The Connection to Encaustic Art
The Veiled Beauty trend reminds me of encaustic painting, an art form I have always admired, which involves painting with heated wax. Just like encaustic creates those gorgeous, glowing layers that seem to have light trapped inside them, this textile trend is all about that same luminous, layered beauty.
Some amazing contemporary encaustic artists are creating work that feels like Veiled Beauty come to life. Bridgette Meinhold paints mountain scenes that capture “air” rather than just trees—can you imagine that feeling in a textile? Shawna Moore uses heated beeswax to create these incredible textured surfaces that dance with light. Betsy Eby, who brings her background as a pianist into her art, creates paintings where you can almost hear the music flowing through translucent layers.
The way these artists play with transparency and depth is exactly what we’re seeing in the Veiled Beauty trend. It’s that same magic of seeing through layers, where each one reveals something new.
Real Runway Moments
The runways have been giving us some gorgeous examples of this trend in action. Simone Rocha’s Spring 2025 show had great examples of Veiled Beauty. She showed “long sheer dresses” with carnations tucked inside the fabric like pressed flowers in a book.
We’ve seen this love affair with transparency everywhere from Sportmax to Prada, with designers embracing “lightweight organza” and creating those dreamy, see-through effects that make you stop and stare.
How to Bring Veiled Beauty Into Your Design Work
Ready to dive into this trend? Here are some friendly ways to get started:
Play with Layered Florals
Imagine your flowers floating at different depths, as if they’re suspended in water or caught between sheets of glass. Some can be crisp and clear, others soft and blurred.
Experiment with See-Through Effects
Try designs where elements fade in and out or peek through translucent veils. Digital printing gives us amazing opportunities to create these effects that would have been impossible before.
Embrace Soft, Dreamy Colors
That “Moonlight Haze” palette of soft blues and grays is perfect, but don’t be afraid to explore other gentle, atmospheric colors that feel like they’re lit from within.
Think About Texture Illusions
Create patterns that suggest depth and movement through clever layering and transparency effects. Your customers should want to reach out and touch the design.
Pattern Observer Directory Designers Leading the Way
If you scroll through the Pattern Observer Directory, you can see examples of the Veiled Beauty trend. Jenny Bova, a longtime Textile Design Lab member and co-founder of Bova Creative, creates soothing, layered patterns. She starts with traditional watercolors and hand-drawing, then scans everything to keep “that hand-drawn feel” while building up those gorgeous layers digitally. Her work is a perfect example of how this aesthetic can feel both timeless and completely fresh.
Other Pattern Observer directory members like Lemon Ink Studio and Maika Romaní are also exploring similar approaches to layered transparency and ethereal textures, proving that this trend works across so many different styles and markets.
Where This Trend Really Shines
Fashion: Perfect for creating those romantic, dreamy pieces that make people feel special when they wear them.
Home Décor: Imagine window treatments or wallpapers where the interplay of light and pattern creates an ever-changing mood in a room.
Lifestyle Products: This aesthetic is gorgeous for stationery, packaging, and gifts where you want that premium, thoughtful feeling.
Why This Trend Has Staying Power
What I love about Veiled Beauty is that it’s not just about looking pretty; it’s about embracing beauty from within. It’s about creating designs that invite people to slow down, look closer, and feel something. In our crazy-busy world, that’s exactly what people are looking for.
This trend bridges the gap between ancient artistic techniques and modern textile innovation. It reminds us that the most beautiful designs often come from understanding both where we’ve been and where we’re going.
As you start thinking about your next collection, ask yourself: How can I create that sense of mystery and beauty that makes people want to discover more? How can I capture that magical feeling of light caught in layers?
The Veiled Beauty trend gives us permission to be dreamers while still creating work that sells. And honestly, what could be better than that?
