As the countdown to Christmas commences the stores are awash with the colour of festive decorations, a welcome bit of sparkle in between these long, dark months!

Taking a quick look around the seasons decorative options there are some colourful themes.

Chocolate and brown conjure up comfort as seen in Homebase’ Metallic Earth range. Spiced up with colours such as warm gold, orange and yellow instantly uplift any decorating scheme. These colours represent positivity, fun, joy and abundance – very cheering qualities!

Purple is popular again this year and of course lends itself to opulent and luxurious schemes. A Nordic/Folk Art theme in decorations offered by John Lewis reflects simple and natural values, and I also like the vintage (some times kitsch) inspired pieces in traditional red and green by Homebase and Marks & Spencer.

Of course we look to nature for the true colours of Christmas. It is reflected in the green of the mistletoe and holly with its red berries and of course the pure bright white of snow covering the ground in a cold, crisp blanket. The natural colours for this winter season remind us that it is time to withdraw, take stock and hibernate. Red and green are of course complementary colours and the key message for the season that we are receiving from these colours is to rest, restore and balance our physical energies in readiness for the burst of new activity in springtime.

Think about enhancing your moods this party season by surrounding yourself with the positive benefits of colour:

Orange is a great colour for instilling feelings of fun in to any party – throw some mistletoe in to the mix and watch some sexy sparks fly!

Red will help to revive flagging vitality when the effects of partying are wearing you out.

Blue will aid calm and quiet reflection when you want to regain some serenity after the seasonal festivities and the soothing qualities of green will restore balance and harmony post party exertions!

Pantone have launched their Fashion colour report for spring 2011.  Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, describes the palette as an “innovative take on fundamental basics, as well as transporting, lively colours that conjure images of travel and adventure, whether real or aspirational.”

In keeping with current eco consciousness, trend predictors and designers have put together a palette of colours they believe will work with existing wardrobe colours; Eiseman explains “these unique colour combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colours traditionally associated with fall (autumn), with new favourites to punch up spring time wardrobes. The colours designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones.”

The image below left shows the collection as presented by Pantone. In the image to the right I put together the colours in a different way to show you how the palettes appear more harmonious when divided in to warm and cool hues and that I feel shows two distinct palettes with their own harmony and characteristics.

Pantone colour collection

Cool and warm colour palettes

Russet, Honeysuckle, Coral Rose, Beeswax and Blue Curacao are indeed warm ‘tropical’ shades that appear more rich and muted and earthy or fiery and so create quite a lively palette that work well in any combination.

Peapod, Regatta, Lavender, Silver Cloud and Silver Peony are a more subtle combination of lighter, muted cool tones which would suit softer, flowing designs and fabrics.

View the Pantone Fashion Colour Report with designers comments here http://www.pantone.co.uk/pages/Pantone/Pantone.aspx?pg=20751&ca=4

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A recent small colour survey I conducted turned up some interesting results on colour attitudes and preferences.

Blue and red featured as commonly chosen favourite colours. Interestingly both are of course two ‘primary’ colours with different effects. Red relates to the physical self and as I spoke about in the previous blog article, relates to qualities of strength, stamina, courage etc. Whereas blue is the colour of the mind – our intellect and its qualities relate to thought, logic and trust. Colour psychology might interpret these two colour choices as representing two different personality types – one that is an active ‘doer’ (red) and one that is a planner and ‘thinker’ (blue).

Although purple was more often cited as a least favourite colour, yellow was the colour that was most mentioned as the colour people feel they ‘don’t suit’ and I have found this quite a common attitude among clients I have worked with. Here in the UK of course we don’t benefit from too much of the sunshine stuff and I think in some way that fact is mirrored perhaps by the lingering attitude of ‘GBR’ – Great British Reticence? Our inherent inhibited traits mean we’re not usually given to drawing attention to ourselves and displays of overt behaviour and there’s no doubt about it – yellow is the sunny, confident, ‘here I am’ ego colour!

Now although blue and red appear to be our more favoured colours, curiously it still seems that black is most highly favoured as a colour in which to dress ourselves. Around 57% of participants in the survey feel that it is ‘easy to wear’ colour and 43% claim to have at least up to 5 items of black clothing/accessories in their wardrobe! But why when we have so much other choice of colour available? Popular opinion holds the view that black can be seen as glamorous, sophisticated, efficient and serious, maybe ‘cool’ even. What I’m interested to know is this, is it because fashion/trends perpetuate the perceived benefits and allure of black? Or are we less confident about experimenting with other colours that suit us?

Previous blog articles you might be interested in……

Red Alert!

Purple Power

The message behind black

Recent research from the University of Rochester suggests that men pictured wearing or surrounded by the colour red are found to be more attractive or sexually appealing by women. The study also noted that women perceived men wearing red T-shirts to have a higher status than those wearing blue T-shirts.

Superman - brains and brawn then?

Considered the ‘male energy’ colour, the impact of red is on the physical self. It motivates, increases energy, stamina and courage. Red is our ‘drive’ – our get up and go, so it’s perhaps no surprise that this colour might signal to the girls an alpha male quality whilst blue communicates logic, thought, authority and trust. We have quite literally a choice between brains or brawn!

See the full ‘Women attracted to men in red’ article as appears in Yahoo! Lifestyle

More about the study at the University of Rochester

Learn more about the ’super powers’ of colour! in:colour training and workshops

Have you noticed between rails of sale goods the first trickle of the new autumn stock? At least 2 years ago trend forecasters will have provided designers and retailers with the research and ‘trend intelligence’ that have influenced what we currently see on the clothes rails.

Observations of cultural and social developments and socio-economic changes influence the future choices of the style, colours, shapes and textures that we are wearing today.  Autumn/Winter 2010/11 trend/colour palettes fall broadly in to three categories given similar themed names by forecasters that for the most part will be repeated for 2011/12 trends too. Below is a snapshot of the upcoming trends with a my take on each of the colour palettes, what moods or feelings they evoke and what type of personality would suit the trends.

image thanks to www.millionlooks.com

A/W 2010-11 Tribe/Origins/Primal: These earthy, warm, yellow based, muted, intense, fiery shades communicate qualities of passion, friendship/kinship, environmental concern, culture, spiritual and values. The ‘native’ styling trend influences the fabrics, textures and detail. In 2011-12 the ‘natural’ print theme becomes more ‘camouflage’ and animal inspired! The look is relaxed, natural and comfortable and quite suited to the autumn-linked personality.

A/W 2010-11 Order/Cleanse/innovate: These clear, blue based, strong contrasting saturated colours or icy tints are ‘forward thinking’ and communicate technology, science and the avante-garde. Luxurious fabrics, almost futuristic, structured and sculpted design lends itself to the drama of the winter personality.

A/W 2010-11 Escape/synergy: These cool, blue based, greyish, muted soft tones communicate harmony, simplicity, escapism, balance, elegance, aspiration and quality. Dream-like, these soft, fluid shapes and the exquisite detailing lend themselves to the summer personality beautifully.

With thanks to www.mudpie.co.uk for trend information.

New! Autumn course dates – click the links or contact us for further details

The study of colour psychology is a fascinating subject and whether for personal development or to add an in depth understanding of the subject to add another dimension to your professional skills, in:colour offer a variety of courses and workshops to suit you.

Workshops – coming up

The power of colour psychology – an introductory 2 day workshop in to the world of colour psychology

Colour your business – 1 day workshop on how to use colour effectively in your branding and business communications

The secrets of colour - this 1 day workshop for stylists and fashion professionals adds depth and understanding to your knowledge of colour, which will enhance your client consultations

Autumn courses

Personal colour psychology consultant - become a personal and lifestyle colour psychology consultant

Colour psychology for interior design – discover how to use colour psychology to improve your clients environment

Colour psychology for design and communication - use the language and power of colour psychology to improve your marketing communications