Bright & Basic
A mix of excitement and comfort, the colors of Spring 2010 reflect the mood of the World
By Jeannie O'Sullivan
Vibrant hues and muted neutrals comprise the Spring 2010 color palette, led by the Pantone !olor Institute's color of the year, Turquoise. Turquoise represents an escape: vacation, tropics, and water,” says color expert and author Leatrice Eiseman, who is executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It is also believed to be a protective talisman. Who doesn't want that, especially today?”
Indeed Pantone's Spring 2010 fashion color report's theme—excitement mixed with safety—is a sign of the times. A gray economy and in-the-red finances have tightened many a purse string, particularly where fashion is concerned.
The waters of Capri inspired the Spring 2010 designs by Adrienne Vittadini
SHIFTING SHADES
Consumers now are more likely to shift spending habits from buying entire outfits to re-energizing classic-hued basics with exciting, boldly colored accents and accessories, says Eiseman, who writes about color at her blog, www.eisemancolorblog.com.
This could bode well for those in optical.
“Obviously, eyeglasses are an area where we can do this,” Eiseman says. “(Accessorizing) is one way to extend your wardrobe and make it look new and fresh.”
Another new trend is recycling a recent trend with a slight tweak, as evidenced in Pantone's other top colors for Spring 2010. Violet, for example, is the latest purple hue to represent the royal color's popularity in recent seasons, says Eiseman. Likewise, Aurora, a shimmering, greenish version of sunshine, is the new incarnation of yellow.
“These colors have a recent history,” says Eiseman, who described purple as “huge” as of late and yellow as a surprise recurring hit in both apparel and home fashions.
The sketch for Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons, who is enamored by the “mystery and color of Morocco” this season
The Tommy Hilfiger sketch indicates his fascination with the California coastline
Also eye-catching are Fusion Coral and Tomato Purée, two shades that temper fiery with wearability. Eiseman describes Fusion Coral as a step down from orange, a color too eccentric for many. Tomato Purée, she said, softens the boldness of red with an orange tinge.
Along with Turquoise, this year's other top blue is Amparo Blue, a bright shade with “a little more vitality than the typical summer navy,” says Eiseman.
THE NEW NEUTRALS
Rounding out the palette are the newest neutrals. Pink Champagne is a delicate, wispy tint. “In eyeglasses, that's a great opportunity to create a color that almost disappears,” Eiseman says.
Runway RainbowInspired by everything from childhood memories to vacation spots, a handful of designers reveal what they have in store for Spring 2010. TOMMY HILFIGER“The California coast line, drawing from the feel of a boardwalk and the sand beneath it—colors are reflective of the calming fun you have during a day at the beach.” COLORS: Sea blue, peach, and pink. ADRIENNE VITTADINI“The crystal blue waters of Capri.” COLORS: Aqua, deep navy, serene aquarium blue, jungle greens, lemontint (a bright chartreuse), sycamore (a deep green), khaki, and light shell. BADGLEY MISCHKA“Billie Holiday.” COLORS: Scarlet, fuchsia, dusty lavender, ebony, and ice white. CARMEN MARC VALVO“New York—the ultimate urban jungle.” COLORS: Warm khaki and metallic gold. SIGNATURE COLORS: Khaki and gold. NANETTE LEPORE“Childhood memories of a country garden sunset at a seaside summer home.” COLORS: Citron, firefly, tea rose, copper, fog, petrol, and sea salt. BABY PHAT (Kimora Lee Simmons)“The mystery and color of Morocco—this is a story about 1970s silhouettes showered with accessories and vibrant details; raw stones also play an integral part in our collection, alongside colorful ethnic prints.” SIGNATURE COLOR: Eclectic tang. |
Hot Hues
According to the Pantone Color Institute, the top colors for Spring 2010 are:
- Turquoise
- Tomato Purée
- Fusion Coral
- Violet
- Tuscany
- Aurora
- Amparo Blue
- Pink Champagn
- Dried Herb
- Eucalyptus
Tuscany, a warm beige, provides a perfect backdrop and works well as a solid base color with dynamic accents, the report notes.
In the verdant family, green officially becomes a neutral with Dried Herb, a color that is “complimentary with almost anything you put it with,” says Eiseman. The last neutral, Eucalyptus, is a practical gray that definitely “dovetails” with the current economic climate, notes Eiseman.
“When we make color predictions, we always look at the greater consumer picture and try to delve into the consumer psyche,” says Eiseman; “cautious optimism” seems to be this season's mood.
Looking beyond, Eiseman predicts a slightly bolder approach will mark the millennium's second decade. “(We'll see) color combinations that are different than those we've seen before,” she says. “I think that's the big story: being more experimental with color creations and not being so mired down by the old rules.” EB
Color CodeExperts weigh in on how the current consumer consciousness affects fashion and how color plays into it. “I've found that shoppers—especially women—are not shying away from color when it comes to new apparel purchases, despite the popular notion that in tougher economic times people gravitate toward neutrals. If she's on a budget, a woman may resist buying a garment that is overtly trendy because she knows she may only get one season out of it. But color is rarely seen as trendy by the consumer. Sure, there are popular colors any given season, but they don't cycle out of style as quickly as silhouettes or other details might.” — Clinton Kelly, co-host of TLC's “What Not To Wear” “Designers have responded to the shift in the economy in one of two ways: by using bold colors in comforting, familiar silhouettes; or by creating eye-catching one-of-a-kind pieces that are completely irresistible. The fashion constant, however, has been and always will be color. There's nothing like a vibrant hue of royal purple or golden yellow to make us feel optimistic and hopeful for the future—just look at our first lady! She wears color impeccably. I predict that we'll see a lot more brights in Spring 2010 to inspire and uplift everyone's mood.” — Nina Garcia, fashion director of Marie Claire and judge, Bravo's “Project Runway” “Designers are drawing from styles of the 1940s movies, and of the ever-present fascination with glamour as depicted in films of that period. Red is prominent. However, rather than charging forward with bright and bold decisions, many consumers are taking a softer, more gentle approach with their color palettes. Using a softer base creates longevity as it can always be updated to look dramatically different with accessories. In this time of economic unrest, people are looking for comforting colors, and the savvy consumer is always searching for quality over quantity. Refuse to be beaten by the economy.” — India Hicks, creative partner, Crabtree & Evelyn |
Scarlet is the color of the season for Badgley Mischka; Carmen Marc Valvo favors khaki (above)
Perfect Pairings
Experts from the Pantone Color Institute share tips on how to wear the season's color palette.
- Turquoise, Pantone's color of the year, conjures feelings of escape—think oceanic paradise—when paired with Amparo Blue.
- Amparo Blue, Tomato Purée, and Pink Champagne make for a delicious interpretation of red, white, and blue.
- Set against a backdrop of Tuscany, Fusion Coral, and Violet truly pop.
- Dried Herb goes with practically everything.
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