Pink, like red, is moving in two directions. It can be warmer with tones of coral, watermelon, and delicate shell pink. On the cooler side, pink hints of dusty lilac and heather.
Recent comments about the trend of pink:
One of our favorite style trends this season is a dusty pink dubbed “blush” by interior designer Barbra Barry. “Blush evokes lightness and air,” says the designer. “I’ve fallen in love with it as the new neutral- with a twist.” -Home magazine (Sept. 2006)
“We’re still showing pinks, but they are getting dustier, almost going to old-fashioned.” -Britt Bivens of Promostyl
“Fashionable and fun, the pinks of this year range from hues of deep fuchsia, to frosted berry, to sweet, candy pink.” -Behr Premium Plus Color Trend Report
“The color you need to know now…shell pink…Rather than feeling saccharine and childish, shell pink is a sophisticated version that both men and women can appreciate. It’s more subtle than pure pink, with coral undertones and a luminescent feel…” -Southern Accents magazine (Sept/Oct 2006)
“Pink is no longer an ‘it’ color but rather a new staple. Last year rose gold began to rise in popularity and this season, rose gold watches are coming into their own. And pink is not just for the ladies.” -JewelryInformationCenter.org
Photo from InStyle of Dior by John Galliano Resort 2007.
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A soft yellow can quietly replace white or off-white walls in most decorating schemes and the addition of this sunny hue immediately creates warmth and ambiance in a room that may previously have lacked personality.
In cozy shades of straw, butter, and light gold, yellow blends easily with this season’s smoky grays, sensual browns, and blue ocean hues.
Yellow gets glowing reviews:
“This is about using colour in a young, contemporary, urban way - it’s easily achievable, not relying on accessorizing with expensive pieces, instead it’s simply about making the most of space and light.” -Oria Kiely, textile and fashion designer commenting on the Light Fantastic
“Straws Golden Moment…plucked from nature, this mellow yellow is a versatile neutral with a sunny disposition.” -Metropolitan Home magazine
“Be on the watch… in 2006, Yellow will be stealing the spotlight from the brown palette. Yellows with a buttery flavor are finding broad acceptance in traditional and American Country trends.” -Mannington
“In the last three years, yellow definitely has come back into play. That’s going to be a continuing phenomenon because it came about because of Retro. A lot of people associate yellow with mama’s or grandma’s kitchen. Also, from the psychological standpoint, yellow is always associated with sunlight, good cheer and a friendly atmosphere.” -Leatrice Eiseman, internationally renowned color and design expert
“Today’s colour gurus are plumping for a more gentle, youthful, mellow yellow. Now, creamy yellows shimmer. Ochre yellows exude style. Green yellows strike a light, crisp note.” -as seen in the Yellow Go-Go palette from Sico
Photo from Sico website.
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Orange remains natural and juicy for fall 2006, but as we move into 2007, the hue is toned down towards desert inspired adobe, aged terra cotta, and warm copper. On the lighter side, orange leans toward pink, and the result is a lovely coral.
These oranges will move the color into more mainstream home decor and have broader appeal for fashion.
The energy of orange is creating buzz:
Color Marketing Group’s predictions for the next batch of oranges as presented by HGTV include:
- Blood Orange: This is the newest look for consumer goods: a mélange of the authenticity of juicy orange and high-gloss coppers accentuated by a high-gloss finish.
- Koi: Look for this yellow-orange to stand in for red in homes everywhere in 2007.
- Lovely: For the fashionistas, watch for this feminine hue of merging vivid oranges and softer pinks. The basis of this color can be found in nature, from coral reefs to sun-filled skies.
- Sunrise: Last seen in the automotive field in the mid ’80s, orange now has become accepted in sporty and rugged vehicles as a color of individualization. We’ll see a lot of “sunrises” driving around in 2007.
- Snappy: A “get real” orange that is copper-based and Eastern influenced, Snappy will be beautiful in a matte or metallic finish. Where to look for it? In an office or commercial space near you soon.
“Orange, which was the color of the avant-garde in the late ’90s, is still big. Mainstream designs simply use it to shock, while trendsetters are pairing it with hot, hot, pink.” -Nancy Bernard of Step Inside Design magazine
“Move over, pink–orange is a tangerine dream. The color energizes neutrals, looks plucky in straw hats, and is the right bright for nearly all skin tones-but especially for redheads.” -InStyle.com
“Orange is not generally one of America’s favorite colors. But it really started to show itself in the Nineties and has continued to gain acceptance ever since.” -Leatrice Eiseman, internationally renowned color and design expert as quoted in Women’s Wear Daily
Chris Webb, Exterior Color and Trend Designer for GM North America, talks about the popularity of the color orange on the GM’s FYI Blog
“Terracotta orange is now permanently in the top ten list of colors from Martha Stewart Home,” according to Stephen Earl of Martha Stewart Omnimedia
Photo from HGTV website.
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The deep blue of navy sport jackets and denim jeans remains strong, but the feeling changes when this classic color is paired with aqua, turquoise, or green.
The influence of spa colors keeps blue cool by day, while the deeper hues move it to dark, mysterious, and chic at night.
The trend towards blue ocean hues seems to be the consensus for the color this season:
“Blues inspired by the environment, are leading the color grouping…Aqueous is a sophisticated new introduction that bridges blue and green inspired by spa influences and ocean hues.” -Color Marketing Group
“With these moods, it is hard for just one color to emerge as the ultimate hit of the season. It is possible, however, to indicate major directions, such as the blues for example; they really come up strong.” -Dorlastan Fashion Colors Fall/Winter 2006/2007
“The mysterious ocean depths - the last truly undiscovered area of the globe - still serves as inspiration for the way we reflect upon our lives. Be seduced, enveloped, intoxicated by these dark, moody hues and disappear into its inky, mysterious depths.” -The “Undercurrent” palette at Dulux
“Turquoise: Reflecting the light of a tropical sea, this refreshing blue is creating ripples both in the fashion world and at home.” -Elle Decor magazine
“Continuing into 2008, Blue will be seen as the comeback family. Blues that focus on Turquoise and Teal are new to the home market and are being used in everything from paint to accessories. In the classic arena, Navy can’t be ignored. It looks fresh with the combination of white and it also comes in the form of Cobalt-China Blue.” -Mannington
Photo from Dulux website.
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Symbolic of life, health, and nature, green is the color of balance and harmony and has come to represent the global movement to protect our environment.
Current hues of green are both acidic and botanical, which reflect the influence of this movement and our desire for sustainability, organics, and eco-savy lifestyles.
Naturally (ha ha), green is making news:
“Green is in,” said Margaret Walsh, forecasting director of the Color Association of the U.S.. See why she thinks you should “Consider green in your new color scheme.”
“Recent color phenomena like lime green are being replaced by lighter shades of palm green and chartreuse, but the hot ‘now’ color is a bright, grass green with forest green not far behind,” reports Dewey Sadka, president of Dewey Color System of Marietta, Georgia.
“Greens are still alive and well and continuing in popularity to underpin many colour schemes.” -Resene Paint
“An influence called the Techno-Organic Balance reflects consumers’ desire to find a balance in their lives between nature and technological advances. Breathing Space refers to our search for serenity and calm in a space that insulates us from common daily stresses and emerging threats to safety. Both of these influences point to the continued popularity of green in a variety of hues.” -Anne Krueger of HGTV, commenting on the Color Marketing Group forecast
“The most popular hue of this year, the color green is very diverse, ranging from shades of lush grasses, to crisp celery, to deep olive.” -Behr Premium Plus Color Trend Report
“…a big movement from yellow green to blue-based green. An increase in knowledge and awareness of sustainability and eco-savvy products and processes is the influence.” -Color Marketing Group
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Basic black is always in style because it is as much a color as it is an attitude. What is fresh about black this season is that it is unadorned, allowing interesting textures and surfaces to take center stage.
Another notable trend for the color black is that you will see it with an underlying hint of another hue, such as blue, purple, green, or brown. These hues add complexity and mystery to this chic color.
You can find color infused with black in everything from luxury automobiles to floral arrangements.
And while we agree that black is a classic, rather than a trend, we still love talking about it:
“Black never goes away. It’s so symbolic; it’s sophisticated, elegant, classic, safe, dependable and classy.” -Leatrice Eiseman, internationally renowned color and design expert
“The ultimate in chic simplicity; black and white makes a return in all combinations imaginable.” -The Style Council
“While color infuses the runway, Prada plays with richly textured blacks and Marc Newson designs a limited edition cosmonaut sneaker - the Zvezdochka - with richly layered patterns of black.” -Jody Turner, CEO of Culture of Future in an article for Apple
“After several years of brilliant color, black is back with a vengeance. This year it’s unadorned and painfully plain, displaying it’s nuances primarily through texture: the shadings of slippery velvet, shiny vinyls and supple leathers; the ambiguity of heavy black rubber soled boots underscoring a long black lace skirt.” -Pantone
“Black, often with metallic effects, also strengthened as the second most popular color in Europe and tops among luxury vehicles there. Over the next few years, jet black will increasingly be replaced with black metallic in North America.” -DuPont Automotive Color Popularity Report
Photo from New York magazine.
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Looking back at color trends from past seasons, red has been either on the warm side of the color spectrum or the cool side - but never both.
It has been thought that for the cooler side of red to emerge, warmer hues have to step back or vice versa, but recent color trends in red show otherwise.
Warmer reds remain strong and merge with orange while, at the same time, cooler reds crossed with purple or blue are coming forward.
The trend for red has caught the attention of many trend and style mavens:
“The family of reds is heavily influenced by the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as global influences from Central America and India. Reds are both cooling down and warming up simultaneously.” -Color Marketing Group
“While red wasn’t used much for spring, it’s making a nice comeback this fall.” -Leatrice Eiseman, internationally renowned color and design expert
“By the end of 2006, we’ll be seeing some very rich and vivid orange-reds, like the color of a blood orange” -Aimee Desrosiers of California Paints in an interview with HGTV
“We see many shades of Red hitting this country by storm in both the Apparel and Home Fashion markets” -Design Options Forecast
“Scarlet Fever… the color of passion and excitement, this hot-blooded hue is all the rage in home decor.” -Metropolitan Home magazine ( Sept. 2006)
“Magenta…Lusciously elegant, this deep purple-red captures the essence of autumn and makes an alluring statement at home” -Elle Decor magazine
“Roule Rouge is flamboyant yet sensual…all about style and glamour…the vibrant and forceful power of the prime colour red… captures a range of hues from blood red right across the palette to baby pink.” -Fashion Capital
“Red is the new black…after the black and white 1990’s, after the neon brights of 2002-4, red looks sophisticated and new.” -Vogue magazine (Aug 2006)
“With tricked-out plaids and somber shades dominating the stores, red has emerged as the breakthrough color of the season. And not just dark red, but fiery crimson and scarlet too. A ruby-hued accessory makes looking effortlessly elegant a cinch. Red-dy or not, this color is here to stay.” -Fall shoe trends from ivillage
Photo courtesy of Color Marketing Group.
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Purple, from soft violets to lush orchids to deep blue-purple, is a color that has won over designers this year. It has been called the hottest color on the fashion runway, and in home decor, purple is being used prominently.
Purple is a color that can take on many moods - from soft and feminine in its lighter tints to deep and mysterious in its deeper shades - making it a color that has broad appeal.
Many people are commenting on purple:
Purple Moves in on Pink. “We’re starting to see a decline in pink. It’s been a prominent color, but it is heading more toward violet and orchid. Some of the paler shades of purple will start to replace pink…” -Aimee Desrosiers of California Paints in an interview with HGTV
“The new black. The new beige. Call it what you will, but purple is the
hottest neutral on the home-fashions runway these days.” -Mary Graff
of iVillage
“Purple is Top Pick for Homer Laughlin in 2006. New Heather Fiesta® Adds Warmth and Excitement to Tabletop Décor.” -Dan Williams of Homer Laughlin China
“The cultures of continental Asia come together for a rich, creative and luxurious feeling. The colors are composed of rich ochers and purples tones inspired by the sunrise and sunset of an exotic mountain range. Patterns of tapestries and embellishments in all-over treatments reference far-away lands.” -Promostyl Fashion Key Trend Report
Style.com has included the purple chunky-heel platform from Gucci (shown in pic) in their top ten fashion looks.
Leslie J. Harrington, principal of LH Color, of Old Greenwich, Connecticut recognizes purple’s proven staying power, indicating that it is no longer trendy. “It’s a usable color that has served us well and is hard to let go.”
Moving forward, she foresees deeper colors evolving like rich orchid and blue-purple.
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In looking at the direction for gray this year, the word that keeps coming to mind is “sfumato.” This is an Italian term derived from “fumo,” meaning “smoke.”
Sfumato is a term I have heard often in the last year because it is a word used to describe the works of Leonardo da Vinci.
The short definition of sfumato is the translucent layering of color to create the perceptions of volume and depth; the colors are blended so subtly that you cannot perceive the transition or the individual colors.
In describing many of the grays that I am seeing, it is difficult to truly say if the color would be considered gray or brown or green or some other hue. The colors have depth and are rich, smoky, and sexy.
These are the types of color that are complex and can hold your interest. You can’t immediately put a label on them.
See what is being said about gray in all of its variations:
“Gray, in all its sexy, smoky permutations, is a major tone for fall jeans.” -InStyle magazine “Top Denim Trends”
“Gray is the new neutral for 2006 and will be warming up, so much so, that it will be hard to tell the gray from the brown.” -Mannington
“The British designer Matthew Williamson…handled color well at a moment when fashion is becoming more somber. His palette of grays,mauves and pinks was gentle and efffective.” -Suzy Menkes for the International Herald Tribune
“First made glamorous in the ’40’s by Katherine Hepburn and her signature menswear-inspired look, Grey-Flannel turns up on fall’s most versatile pieces.” -Elle.com
“Gray- the color of the season is sophisticated and versatile for both daytime and evening.” -Harper’s Bazaar magazine (Aug 2006)
Photo from Calvin Klein.
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