FRAMEBUYER / COLOR REPORT
TAKE IT Easy
The top hues of Fall 2016 transport consumers to a state of much-needed tranquility
BY KERRI ANN RAIMO
“The color inspiration came from my idea of the global traveler. Who that girl is and what she sees while on an adventure is reflected through her clothes.”
—REBECCA MINKOFF
Why so blue? After taking a thorough look at fashion designers’ collections for fall 2016, the Pantone Color Institute found that designers are trying to quell modern-day stresses with this season’s tranquil palette.
Pantone’s fall fashion color report is chock-full of hues that aim to fulfill a “universal desire for tranquility, strength, and optimism,” continuing the theme of calmness from spring’s top shades. These unifying, unisex tones are spearheaded by hues of blue—and also new: six of the 10 hues are brand-new Pantone colors.
“If you look at this season’s entire palette, the idea of comforting blues coming to the top of the list again shows that people are still searching for that reassurance,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Here’s a breakdown on how to shade your shades (and optical frames), reassuring your consumers that everything is A-OK.
Fall 2016’s Top Hues for Fashion
RIVERSIDE:
Setting the trickling tone of calm this season, hints of this blue hue showered the runway on looks from designer greats like Rebecca Minkoff, David Hart, and M.PATMOS.
AIRY BLUE:
Like its name suggests, this color inspires a sense of weightlessness and release. Pantone recommends pairing Airy Blue with other shades of the season like Lush Meadow, Warm Taupe, or Dusty Cedar.
LUSH MEADOW:
This chic color takes natural green to the max, and is making its mark via fashion and household items this season.
WARM TAUPE:
Cozy up with fall’s approachable neutral, a shade that color experts say can make nice with every shade of the season’s top 10.
DUSTY CEDAR:
Pink dons its fall look with this warm shade, and it’s a timely take on one of Pantone’s color-of-the-year choices—the lighter Rose Quartz.
SHARKSKIN:
Dive in with this neutral that’s edgy enough to stand on its own, but also goes swimmingly with the rest of the palette.
AURORA RED:
Holy bold. Pantone says that Aurora Red “gets the metaphorical blood of the palette pumping.”
SPICY MUSTARD:
Diverging from the yellows of fashion’s past, this season’s Spicy Mustard is vivid and zesty. Designers toyed with the exotic color by using it as an accent.
BODACIOUS:
Although presumably out of place in a fall palette, Pantone assures Bodacious makes a fun statement and highlights designers’ embrace of the gender fluid use of color.
POTTER’S CLAY:
A fully fall hue with hints of orange that other top colors can lean on this season.
“Since I am always designing in season—winter to winter or spring to spring—I am always aware of colors I see too much of. I like to use a rich color palette and am often inspired by outdoor wear and skiwear.”
—NICOLE MILLER
“Sunrises and sunsets are incredible here in Los Angeles, and they provide endless color inspiration. Our journeys do inspire the color each season. This season we have an ‘India Spice Market meets Joshua Tree at dusk’ color palette.”
—RACHEL PALLY
Eyewear Color Forecast
How do colors shape up specifically for specs this fall? “Colors for fall are much more nuanced and tonal,” says Blake Kuwahara, eyewear designer, O.D., and owner at Focus Group West. “A tempered and blended palette such as blue-greys, auburn-chestnuts, brown-pumpkins, and charcoal-sages are key colors and fresh takes on traditional autumnal tones.”
Here, Kuwahara dishes on the season’s best color combos for eyewear.
1. BLUE-GREY: Smoky blue greys take the edge off and soften traditional blues, making them easier to wear and not so harsh on the face.
2. AUBURN-CHESTNUT: Reddish hues warm up the brown and yellow tones of chestnut and look better on the skin.
3. BROWN-PUMPKIN: Brown helps to give richness and tempers what can be the harshness of orange in pumpkin.
4. CHARCOAL-SAGE: Green is a fresh color but can often be a tough one to wear on the face. Mixing in charcoal gives a richer base to the green of sage.
Blake Kuwahara
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