Reference below. Two possible meanings, but similar, so usually it does not matter which is intended. (1) The item is not yet fashionable, but will be soon. (2) an item that is ahead of the fashion, more modern than current fashion. Usually as a compliment it sort of implies the first meaning. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/fashion-forward fashion-forward adjective informal mainly UK UK /ˌfæʃ.ənˈfɔː.wəd/ US /ˌfæʃ.ənˈfɔːr.wɚd/ interested in fashion and wearing things that will soon become very fashionable: clothes for fashion-forward teenagers more modern than things that are fashionable now: fashion-forward jeans

Hi, the phrase "fashion-forward" means being someone who is AHEAD of the fashion trends. Like being a trend setter. Don't worry about the context of the word 'forward'. The phrase collectively means being ahead of the times ( in terms of fashion).

Forward-thinking=progressive (politically), fashion-forward=trendy (with choice of clothes). To be more technical, it's not a productive prefix or suffix, it's just lexical. I.E., you cannot add "forward" to the beginning or end of words, there are only a couple random examples, you you just have to memorize them :)

It just means stylish. I think the forward part could mean that it’s so stylish that it pushes the trends. It’s new and different or innovative and creative. Possible interpretation.