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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According to reports in one daily newspaper on Budget day the Labour party front benches ‘were awash with ties in epsicopal mauve’ and more recently our prime minister and his wife have been photographed wearing the colour purple. What can this mean?

Normally we associate the Labour party with the colour red which is physically stimulating but there are times when other qualities need to come to the fore when planning for a possible future victory.

Considered a ‘regal’ colour purple is a symbol of authority and rank. Before more modern dyeing and colouring processes the colour purple was difficult to obtain and therefore usually only worn by royalty, the higher echelons of the church and the very wealthy.

Although purple may not be considered a colour  for ‘partying’, none the less a prospective governing or official group could do worse than adopt purple as a colour; it expresses aspects of the ‘higher mind’. The purposeful and authentic qualities of purple that Gordon Brown and his team are favouring would seem to show that they share a sense of truth, quality and authority.

Other variations of purple might be described as violet, lilac, lavender, mauve and heather. Currently still a strong high street colour, the lighter or softer variations may make us appear more approachable and wearing or surrounding yourself with purple would help you to find inspiration and develop your imagination. Team purple with a complementing version of yellow and you have a visually inspiring, winning, confident and powerful combination!

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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?

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