The past decade has been dominated by the color blue. Of course when you’re a color fanatic, blue is not just blue. According to color experts Pantone, shades of blue have shown up as the biggest color of the year several times in the noughties. Variations moved from aqua sky, to blue iris, to turquoise, to the cerulean immortalized “The Devil Wears Prada.” As we step into the new decade, however, the forecast has turned toward a rosier hue. A vibrant and sweet pink that’s not just pink, it’s Honeysuckle.
On the Runway
After several seasons of minimalist-inspired neutral palettes, designer fashion is getting comfortable again with bright, saturated colors. Collections from Marc Jacobs, Jil Sander, and Peter Som (below, left to right) show how Honeysuckle has been used in the incoming color blocking trend. The color will be seen rendered in a vast variety of fabrics from the more precious, like silk, to the more mundane, like jersey.
Honeysuckle will also be seen frequently woven into prints – both on it’s own and in multi-color palettes. Christopher Kane, Collette Dinnigan, and Cynthia Steffe (below, left to right) are just a few designers that utilized the color in their prints for 2011.
On the “Red Carpet”
2011′s color of the year is already in rotation for some of the most high-profile trendsetters. Elizabeth Hurley, known for her sexy style, wears a body conscious shift dress in Honeysuckle. Meanwhile, First Lady Michelle Obama pulls off another of her modern classics in a two-piece look by Peter Som. Both women keep it simple and let the color be the main event with neutral shoes and minimal jewelry.
On the Street
Though the runway and the red carpet are often a source of inspiration for fashion lovers, it’s what everyday people wear that truly creates groundswell and sets a true trend. These street style subjects show us a few ways to wear Honeysuckle. On the left a blazer is paired in bold combo with a blouse in creamy orange shade. On the right pleated pants take center stage and a sturdy background of camel.
How to Wear it
Honeysuckle is a color that draws attention to itself, allowing you to use it as a focal point in your look. It’s a great way to bright up the neutral tans and grays that have been filling wardrobe for the past few years. For 2011 it’s also okay to layer a bright like Honeysuckle onto other colors that have some flash to them. Saturated pastels and sherbet colors are happy together in one outfit. The color of the year also works well as the foil to cool and dusty colors.
This is a color that looks great in the daytime sunshine and takes on a new dimension in the evening, when worn with a touch of luxury. The day to night maneuver is made even easier for 2011, as satin and other fabrics with sheen are on trend for all times of the day.
Other articles in this series:
- Wine is the New Black: 2011 Fashion Color Trend
- Citrus Yellow Sweetens 2011 Fashion
- Pantone COTY: A Fashion Retrospective
About Mary
Fashion editor Mary Egbula uses the shapes, motion, and most of all the color of apparel as her primary artist’s medium. Also publishing as Eighty Jane, much of her work seeks to go beyond aesthetics and discuss the social and cultural impact of fashion. She’s currently working on her first book, which was inspired by her blog, The Fashion Cult.com. Find out more at www.EightyJane.com.
Love the florals for Spring although every other enquiry to my wedding fascinator online shop is for navy. I'm thinking of introducing a new blue floral - do you think anenome would suffice?
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