Color Me Beautiful

I have been obsessed with color since the 80’s when the book Color Me Beautiful came out.  Do you remember the fabric swatches and determining if you were a Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter?  Personally, I am a winter.  Color Me Beautiful taught me to stop and think before buying clothes to make sure it compliments my coloring.  Sometimes I have cheated and bought the outfit anyway and almost always have regretted it.  If the color doesn’t look good on you, you won’t feel good wearing it!

Years later I am still obsessed and decided to write a post on design & fashion colors for 2014.

 

 

Color of the Year 2014 – Radiant Orchid

Fast forward to 2014 and the current talk about “Color” is from world renowned Pantone who announced last September that the color for Spring 2014 is Radiant Orchid.   You may think I am a little late to the party since this was announced this past fall, but I am still in winter mode, barely able to think of spring.

Have you ever wondered who picks these color trends and how does that effect the different industries from retailing, manufacturing and interior design?  Once I started to do do my research, I found it fascinating.

Pantone LLC is world-renowned for their authority on color across a variety of industries from designer to manufacturer to retailer.   Basically, they set the color trend for each season, year after year.

My limited use for Pantone Colors has been with my printer and ordering stationery, business cards, etc.  But ah, Pantone Colors are so much more!

I first became aware of the new Radiant Orchid color trend on a trip to Longboat Key this past December.  I was shopping with my husband and some friends at a Tommy Bahama’s store.  I loved a pullover that was in the same color family as this new “Radiant Orchid”.  My husband questioned my color selection (Jamberry to be exact), but my friend Jane and the store clerk said that it was “THE  IN COLOR” for 2014.   It’s not exactly the same color as Radiant Orchid, but certainly a close cousin.

 

Pantone Spring 2014 Colors

Besides picking a single “color of the year”, Pantone also picks a color palette for the season.  This affects the fashion, furniture, cosmetic and many other industries.

 

At the Pantone website, you can download a Fashion Color Report for Spring 2014 (in a pdf format) where you will see dozens of designer’s interpretations of these  colors with each one responding to the following questions as it pertains to them and/or their 2014 line:

1. Prominent Color
2. Inspiration
3. Signature Color
4. Must have color for Spring 2014
5. What color would you repaint a room or accent piece in your home

Designers/brands included in this report include Nanette Lepore, Juicy Couture, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Trina Turk and many other fashion influencers.  The report discusses color trends for women’s fashion, men’s fashion and interior design.  As you can see by these color charts, the mens and women vary ever so slightly.  It’s a great read!

 

Lastly, I found a great site called Design Seeds®.   The owner, Jessica, takes pictures and creates a color pallet from it.  It’s a fun site to peruse for color inspiration.

What do you think of the color trends for spring?  Are you inspired to update your spring wardrobe with any of the new trendy colors?   Maybe some fun throw pillows at home or an accent wall?