Well it’s been a little late in coming but we seem to be sliding in to the typical spring ‘four seasons in one day’ kind of weather!

Have you noticed the effect of  rain when the brighter sun shines through it? It’s as if  everything sparkles with more clarity! The colours of  spring time flowers and leaves when they finally blossom will appear fresh and lively. These colours share some ‘characteristics’; they’ll have more yellow in them and appear clear and light. These natural colours perfectly capture the upbeat ‘feeling’ of spring; it’s life, energy and optimism. The youthful spring colour personality suits wearing this palette of colours that will support their natural vitality and zest for life.

If you’re a web/graphic/ product designer or branding expert consider using this light, fresh, clear palette. It accurately conveys qualities which relate well to any design concept or proposition that have the associated ‘youthful’ aspects of fun and energy. Some of these colours are quite ‘primary’ so they may work well in a design for a child or youth orientated product, or any design that needs to express fun, lively, sociable, friendly and confident qualities. Have a look at some of these Pantone references and see how well these colours work together then check the colour psychology effects here.

Red Pantone 032, 1787   Orange Pantone 1365  Yellow Pantone 106  Green Pantone 353, 359

Blue Pantone 285, 299 Pink Pantone 706 Purple Pantone 2715 Grey Pantone Warm Gray

Anther part of the spring colour palette are the light ‘Easter’ pastels. Other interior designers and home decorators and enthusiasts might enjoy this lovely blog site that I was recently introduced to  www.decor8blog.com where Leslie writes in her column about how she puts spring colours together illustrated with lovely pictures of inspiring colour story mood boards in the Color Me Pretty post. Enjoy.

Previous spring posts you might enjoy

Applewood – colour in the community

Sparkle in spring

Mariah Carey - radiant

Fashion, of course is considered by many as art. We’re told there is much competition by leading designers to get their dress on the back of a Hollywood actress and down the red carpet and at such an event where there is maxim media exposure and column inches the PR value is worth its weight in Oscar gold.

When writing about the frock show at the recent ‘Oscars’ Daily Mail fashion journalist Liz Jones commented “the colour was a washout: there were so many oysters and nudes I lost count, and began to yearn for someone with the guts to wear emerald or scarlet”. Me too Liz! Whilst quite often I find that fashion journalists can be rather dismissive of the ‘art’ of the colour consultant  I rather think they miss the point as, I feel, have some of this years Oscar stars – or their stylists.

If you’ve looked at the pictures of the dresses you might have wondered what is it that made Mariah look like a goddess, whilst Gabourey Sidibe looked older than her years and Maggie Gyllenhaal’s dress seemed to have the strange effect of making the rest of her fade in to insignificance, and all were wearing the colour blue.

Why was Helen Mirren resplendently regal in lavender when pale and nude tones on the very beautiful Charlize Theron and Anna Kendrick had the unfortunate effect of making them appear just brought out of cold storage in time for the ceremony?

Clothes and the colours that we choose to wear are an expression of our

Anna Kendrick - revived?

personality and our individuality and yes, of course ‘fashion’ is fun to wear and enjoy but just as there can be light, depth, clarity,softness and intensity in the colours of the fabric of a beautiful dress, there is too in our own personal colouring. Knowing and understanding how your own colouring interacts with the colours of fabric and clothing is the difference between looking strained  with your dress taking centre stage, or the secret to looking like a goddess – radiant and alive.

See the photos of the stars on the ABC News and Entertainment Oscar 2010 Red Carpet Report

Other blog posts you might be interested in

Pantone fashion colour report for autumn 2010

The message behind black

Back to black?

Stylists, image consultants and colourists – develop more in depth and accurate colour techniques with our courses in personal colour psychology and help your clients to look great and increase their well-being.