Trend Packets & Key Ideas
The best part = TREND! The first step to design is of course, to understand the direction of the trend. I would pull from all available sources to focus in on what was next. WGSN paired with Stylesight, Social Media, international friends, as well as those I know who live across the country would contribute. Then an entire Trend Packet could be made, to give examples of all elements in all categories for consideration.
From full on trend packets, to single page key item inspiration collages, seeing where others have taken ideas gives new inspiration for fresh jumping off points. One person sees different things from another, to where they can be used forever. Whether it is illustrating better to overseas vendors what fabrications to source, or explaining effects to graphic personnel, these pages and packets can be used in many different ways outside of the typical designer's every day. One image could inspire an entire collection to me, and another collection to a separate designer.