This week – and following on from previous posts about colour trends of the 1960s and ’70s -  I’ve posted some colour boards and trend influences from the 1980s and ’90s.

The 1980s became a decade of global economic boom, and the excess and exaggeration of the era expressed itself in largesse and strong style statements.

 Strong growth in the Japanese economy put  major companies Sony and Toyota on the global platform. The trend for Japanese fashion blossomed with the work of popular designers Issey Miyake, Rei Kawakubo and Yohji Yamamoto. Their stark fashion colour palettes strengthened the use of black and grey in design and more serious, strong colour palettes overall. In turn Japanese design influenced western graphic, furniture and architectural designers.

The huge success of ‘Uber’ TV soap Dallas and controversial advertising created for Calvin Klein jeans in the 1980s featuring a 15 year old Brooke Shields, popularised the marketing of jeans which encouraged designers to explore the ‘urban cowboy’ style.

The  fascination with the changing colours of the desert landscape of New Mexico inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe, whose touring exhibition became phenomenally succesful across America. The casual mix of Old West, Native American and Spanish cultures caught on as a decorating look for interiors. The bleached out colour palette centred on earthy mauves, rich browns, sand and sage greens.

After the early recession period of the 1990s and as a result of the increase in media channels, the world emerged as a ‘global village’ and gave birth to the internet, meaning events, commerce and culture became internationalised. We became more aware of  turbulent happenings around the world too. The need to escape technology and disruption in the world led creatives to look for inspiration from other cultures.

The urge to retreat from the urbanised world influenced a more soothing and tranquil design style aiming to express the values of Zen Buddhism. The number of spas and spa services doubled around the world typified by a soft, ethereal, natural colour palette.

Mass media changed the face of luxury goods marketing. What we saw the rich and famous wearing – we wanted. Huge luxury corporations such as Louis Vuitton and Burberry saw an opportunity to grow by delivering ‘luxury for less’ accessibly priced, branded products for everyone. The term ‘bling’ was coined and style became a commodity.

Colour has meaning for us at an emotional level and is evocative of a mood or ”period’ with which we will associate it. Over these last few decades we can see how we have used colour to reflect and express the social, economic and cultural themes of the time.

Learn more about colour and how it influences everything from what we choose to buy, to how we choose to dress and how we decorate. Exploring Colour in Your World a one-day workshop on Saturday 21 July 2012. Click here for more details and to book!

There is no doubt that 2012 is officially the year in which the UK is officially ‘trending’. Following on from last years’ Royal Wedding, we have just enjoyed the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations and are preparing ourselves to host the Olympics. The colours red, white and blue have manifested themselves across all manner of product design and memorabilia.

However, it’s not just the colours of our national flag that have been trending for a while now, but attention has turned towards the personal colour palette of the Queen herself. Whilst Pantone and London advertising agency Leo Burnett have launched a limited edition Diamond Jubilee colour guide commemorating some of the Queen’s most memorable fashion colour choices, D.I.Y store and paint retailer Homebase have identified several paint colours inspired by the Queen’s colour choices that have been “flying off the store’s shelves”.

All these colours share common characteristics in that they are soft, light, blueish tones. These are typical colours we describe as being a ‘summer’ palette, their slightly ‘bleached’ out delicacy mirrors many of the colours we see around us in the natural world at this time of year. A summer personality is described as calm, balanced and understated. Classic, they appreciate quality and good design.

The colours blue and pink appear to dominate the Queen’s palette and the palette as a whole expresses her personality. Whilst blue can appear quite authoritative, softer hues can be soothing and inspire trust. Soft and approachable, a summer pink, (the ultimate feminine colour!) expresses the part of one’s personality that is nurturing and empathetic.

This palette of colours work well for a sophisticated, perhaps classically inspired interior. Softer blue can be mentally calming and so useful to consider in rooms where rest or quiet contemplation is required. Pink is physically soothing, and worth considering for bedrooms and bathrooms .

Other colours from the Homebase range that work well with this palette are: Meadow, Sky, Summer jasmine, Oyster, Mocha, Pebble, Dove grey and Putty.

Find out more about colour and your personality at in:colour’s ‘Exploring Colour in Your World’ workshop Saturday 21st July 2012! Click here for details!