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Shades of Autumn
Designers of fall fashion have a new set of colors to work with. A sneak peek at the hottest hues scheduled for runway debut
By Lindsey Aspinall

"There is a feeling of reassurance you get from neutrals because they are such classic colors," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, and the author of the book More Alive with Color. "When we open the closet door, we might love to see color, but there is the reassurance of knowing that you can always wear those taupe pants or that grey shirt."

Using neutral colors to put the focus on colorful accessories like scarves or jewelry will be especially
popular, says Eiseman. In addition, colorful eyewear can be marketed as the perfect accessory to dress up neutral fashions. "Neutrals serve as a background," explains Eiseman. "You can put something bright against them. It's like saying, 'Let me cut back a bit and let my accessories do the job.' After all, economy does influence fashion."

Mixing and pairing colors remains a popular trend among designers. In addition, they also continue to create unique combinations utilizing colors that don't traditionally go together. This season it's all about combining simple neutrals with complex, deeper hues.

Designers are starting with a basic background, which they find soothing, and adding some color drama in complex, but classic, hues. "It's all about mixes, today," observes Eiseman. "It's not about the individual colors—it's about the patterning."

While fall fashion is simplified (or not "dripping with feathers as we've seen in the past," as Eiseman explains), it still leaves plenty of room for creativity, especially in the hands of different designers who are spicing up their neutral palettes. As for the accessories market—including eyewear—the shift puts the ball in their court. The palette of this fall's neutrals is sure to give colorful accessories their time to shine in the spotlight.

Designer Inspiration Top 10

Here's what some of today's hottest designers had to say when asked about their inspirations for fall fashion color.

Zac Posen: This season's girl is a 'perfectionist rebel,' so I chose colors that evoke her fierce and moody side as well as her

Douglas Hannant: Demure, soft, and romantic

Nanette Lepore: The salons of Edwardian England; the heart of artistic bohemia

Cynthia Rowley: Psychology and the exploration of the mind. The collection will experiment with unexpected pairings of color

Nicole Miller: Byzantine plates

This season's hottest Fall 2006 colors include:

■ Simply Taupe
■ Pale Khaki
■ Apple Cinnamon
■ Golden Ochre
■ Mineral Red
■ Frost Grey
■ Vetiver
■ Bijou Blue
■ Purple Magic
■ Red Mahogany