If you lived back in 1856 the answer would be “why yes my good chap, for sure!  You see the man pictured above– proudly displaying his freshly ‘maulvine’ dyed wool– is non other than Henry William Perkins.  Perkins is known throughout the world of textile dyeing as “The Man Who Rocked It”.

You see, he discovered the first ever synthetic dye. Prior to Perkins, things were always done “au natural”.

And though this pix depicts the scientist as being a bit long in the beard- the actual discovery of his mauve colored dye from coal tar came when Perkins was 18 years old, home goofing around over Spring Break from college (apparently in 1856, Fort Lauderdale and Cancun had yet to be discovered).

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Since then the technology behind color making-has certainly come a long way baby!  One of the coolest and most prestige sources to learn all about the process and history of textile coloring is The Society Of Dyers And Colourist in Bradford, England.

The society which celebrated its 125th Anniversary last year is a cornucopia of color knowledge and happenings.  Always on the lookout for the next great ‘dyer and designer”, the society holds a rather colorful competition each year.  I recently received this info and thought I would share it with LIFC readers:

Countdown continues as Society of Dyers and Colourists’ search for UK’s next top designer

The search is well underway to find the globe’s most creative young talent as the deadline nears for entries to the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ (SDC) annual International Design Competition.

As the leading educational charity dedicated to advancing the science of colour worldwide, the Bradford-based SDC, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, encourages the creative use of colour in fashion and textile design and is a committed supporter of the next generation of young designers.

The competition, which is sponsored by Clariant, the Clothworkers’ Company and the Dyers Company, is open to undergraduates registered on fashion/textile design courses and asks students to submit a piece which demonstrates the creative, imaginative and original use of colour in either fashion or textiles.

This year, the students have been asked to demonstrate socially responsible thinking in their approach to their original design or written statement which accompanies the submission and explains the designer’s inspiration or theme behind their piece.

The 2010 International Design Competition is expected to draw around 100 entries from 30 colleges and universities across the UK. The UK finalist will be announced on 7th May and will go on to compete against winners from Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore and South Africa, at the grand final which will be held in London on 5th October 2010 at the historical Clothworkers’ hall.

Each of the finalists’ work will be exhibited at the event and judged by an industry panel including leading retail investor, entrepreneur and chair of the British Fashion Council, Harold Tillman.  The global winner will receive the SDC Colour Design Award 2010, with a cash prize of £1000, plus the Veronica Bell Trophy.

winner of the award in 2008- how cool is that trophy!

Comments Susie Hargreaves, Chief Executive of the SDC: “The Society has more than a century’s worth of knowledge and experience working within the fashion and textile industry and we are especially proud of our role working with young people on the science of colour. There have been huge changes in the industry during this time but the science and beauty of colour remains fascinating. This competition is a good way to explore the innovative ideas and new techniques used by some of the best student designers who really embrace the use of colour in their designs.

The Society has a long-standing relationship with educational institutions across the world and in addition to the International Design Competition; it awards bursaries and grants and sponsors various industry awards including the new CSI Colour Award 2010.  To introduce students to the technical world of colour and, in particular, to the practical issues involved in putting their creative skills to best use, the SDC runs a College Membership Scheme providing knowledge, information and insights to help students convert colour creativity into colour application.

A full design competition brief is available from the Society with a list of regional contacts to whom enquiries regarding country-specific briefs should be sent. Alternatively, the competition briefs and various related document can be downloaded from the SDC website.

Let the dyeing begin!!!!

When I switched on the Oscars Sunday night, the red carpet was already in full swing.  I swear these 3 dresses above were the first I saw.  All I could think was: OMG Hollywood has lost its mind!  I was very excited to say the least.

Jennifer and Charlize, I will get to in just a minute.  First up Zoe Saldana in Givency.  Now regardless of how you feel about this dress, I have to say colorwise she has the perfect coloring for it’s pale lavender hue, plus she is just spunky enough to pull off its couture- meets- cancan dancer style.  I actually liked her better in the gown than I did on the model walking in it on the Paris runway just a few weeks ago.

Her peep-toe heels have gotten slack for being too ‘clunky’- but as you can see she didn’t leave much to stylish chance, she simply borrowed them from the runway as well.

Much like Zoe’s gown– asymmetric hems, thigh-high slits, bejeweled bodices and chunky shoes were all trends that night.

Carey Mulligan’s own look was very similar to Zoe’s. When the two actresses presented together, they looked like little styled twins of each other.

I wasn’t all that blown away by Mulligan’s Black Prada dress- that is until I noticed its 3-D details.  Not just beading here mind you, but little metal knifes and forks sewn about her gown.  She gets 5 points for taking a fashion risk and 10 points for being the one best prepared for the buffet at the after party.

In fact 3-D, sculptural shapes were by far the most modern looks of the night.  These are not styles everyone will like, but you have to give kudos to anyone daring to be different.

I love the color of Vera Farmiga’s Marchesa gown.  And though it does sort of look like Bottecilli’s Birth of Venus meets fan dancer meets Raspberry truffle wrapper- if given the options to wear any dress of the evening for a photo shoot, this would be the one I would pick.  It just looks like it would be fun to wear.

Now having to walk around all night and sit for an extended period of time in it- well, that’s a whole other story.  I’m wondering if all that starched pleating was literally a pain in the butt to sit in.

Speaking of sculptural and challenging to sit in, do you suppose the Kodak Theater was kind enough to removed an arm chair for Jennifer’s Armani Prive number?

Again, you have to hand it to Jenny from the block.  She knows how to make a red carpet statement, whether its a plunging neckline to her belly button or a roll of bubble wrap tacked onto her left hip- she will not be ignored, dammit!

Hush-quiet colors like Jennifer’s has become a favorite at Award ceremonies.  These pale iridescences are not always so easy to pull off, thanks to Jennifer’s caramel coloring she masters the tricky color in true diva form.

I was thinking Jen must have felt pretty proud of her fashion-forward self and then I spotted actress Amanda Seyfried on the red carpet and thought-”uh, oh-someone at Armani has got some “splaining” to do!’

A gown from the very same collection- on the same night. What do you think? Did Amanda steal some of Jennifer’s thunder?

I would not want to be on JLo’s bad side (especially if its the side with all of that extra fabric).  Let’s just hope they cleared it with Ms. Lo and that she was ‘hip’ to the fact that the very dress that followed her gown on the runway would also follow it on the red carpet.

A few Red-hot mamas in Grecian draped gowns helped add a bit of spice to the evening.

And speaking of red gowns, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Italian actress Elisabetta Canalis for standing in for me, last minute as George Clooney’s date.

After weeks of badgering- I finally had to call over the weekend and let darling George down.  I tried, I really did but I just could not convince my husband that it would be good for both our marriage and for the blog if he would agree to let me jet off to Cali to be George’s date.

I know in my heart this is the real reason Clooney seemed a wee bit hammered on the carpet, paid no attention to his hair and seemed to wear such a sour puss all night. George can be such a drama king when he doesn’t get his way!

While George was singing the blues over me…other were wearing the cool hue.  The woman of Precious all picked brilliant blues with just a touch of feminine floral detailing.

Chromatic Synchronicity, perhaps?

Another lover of blue was Maggie Gyllenhaal, you can always count on her to go out on a fashion limb.

I love the bright colors and the painterly feel of her Dries Van Noten gown.  I especially love her choice of  bright pink lips and smokey lined lids.  With her very pale skin and light eyes, that extra boost of color on her face helped keep the busy print at bay.

My other favorite make-up choice was Sandra Bullock’s bright red pucker teamed with her deep side parted shiny, to-die-for locks.

Sandra, you did good.  The dress is a bit safe (loved that the Go-Fug Yourself girls referred to her Marchesa gown as a bit “Oscars on Ice”) but that’s okay.  Like my mother always says- ‘better safe then sorry”, esp. when there is a good chance the grand prize might go home with you.

We love you for your girl-next-door charm and for the fact that you showed up in person to receive your Razzie Award for “Worst Actress of the Year” the night before you took home your Oscar for “Best”.

The fit, the hair, the confidence- you are Oscar perfection.

A mineral hue was picked by another “beacon of inspiration for us everday-gals”, our as I like to now call her: our new Queen.

All Hail Kathyrn Bigelow!  At 58, she rocked all of Hollywood-while wearing a pretty rock colored Yves Saint Laurent gown. Now her’s is a story worthy of a Hollywood screenplay, don’t you think!

Other silver foxes:

Helen I love you- as I do you Ms. Meryl Streep.  First you grabbed my heart in all 3 films this year and then you showed up in a modern white dress designed by Project Runway’s Chris March (you know the one whose portfolio, prior to filming, included pretty much just drag queen clothes) and let’s just say you had me at “Hello”.

In my fantasy, Tim Gunn was at the fitting slightly concerned and urging Meryl “To make it work!” before he sending her off to the Tresemme room to get her hair and makeup done.

Cameron Diaz who was stunning in a beautiful golden Oscar De La Renta gown,  gets the “Reese Witherspoon Style Award”. Don’t get me wrong I thought she looked super pretty, it’s just that the sweet style and brushed hair were just not expected.  I really did think at first glance that she was Reese.

(That’s Reese from the 2006 Oscars btw)

While many got it so right on Oscar night- a few were lost in television translation.

I know that Diane Kruger’s Chanel gown is perfection for editorial, but on the red carpet- I think it looking a bit more French maid than French chic. (Pictured next to her is my style suggestion for Quentin, the next time she decides to wear the dress).

Sometimes the expressions of the crowd says it all.  Like this woman (next to SJP below) who seems to be in a hypnotic trance at the sight of her  gi-normous Princess Lea/cinnabon hairdo the actress was sporting to top off her vintage Chanel.

Or this woman in the strange peacock motif gown giving Charlize Theron’s dress  the “up and down, stink eye”.

OH come on, you know you were thinking it too!

And last but not least, I didn’t really mention the men.  I think everyone looked great (except you Judd Nelson- I can not tell you how very much you let me down during the tribute to John Hughes!).  Colin Firth was sexy in Tom Ford, Tom Ford was sexy in Tom Ford.  Ryan Reynolds was sexy in Tom Ford…okay and George, even though I don’t approve of your childish behavior- you too were stunning in your Armani tux.

But I have one thing to say to Neil Patrick Harris- who by the way is always very dapper at these shindigs.

When they ask you to appear in the opening song and dance number you must heed Rob Lowe’s warning and just say “NO!”.  No matter how funny it seems in rehearsal you must know we are all slightly cringing at home. Neil you are just too good for such Hollywood abuse.

And now thanks to You Tube, you will never be able to escape the memory…just ask Rob, 20 years later- he and Snow White still can’t live their ill fated razzle-dazzle Hollywood version of  “Proud Mary” down.

Click here to view the embedded video.

all images from Getty/Wire/Oscar.com, runway images from Elle.com

Exciting, inspiring, warm and fuzzy and- oh… who am I kidding?  I was screaming at my screen like a banshee– jacked up that the good old USA would squash our Northern Neighbors like an icy grape. But, alas.  No such luck.

But truly there is no shame in being 2nd.  In some ways, Silver is sort of hipper than Gold anyway. Last week when April, Kim and my favorite little Black Eyed Peas fan went to see the band perform live at Madison Square Gardens (thanks again April!)- the band was awash in Silver throughout the entire show.

In person- Fergie is just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen

When you factor in the fact that the Gold medal is actually a Silver medal covered with about 6 grams of 24 karat gold- well basically if you scratched off the surface, we’d be equals anyway.

The NY Times featured an interesting article about the history of the Olympic Medal tradition back in 2008.  Seems that ancient jocks were awarded Olive Branch wreaths in the winning circle, hum…probably wouldn’t play out so well today.

But in honor of the closing ceremonies of my own personal Olympic Fever the idea of Olive Green and Silver together, seems oh-so-quite inspiring!

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Abso-love it for a kitchen!  Good enough for Traditional Home magazine like in the one above or completely “home sweet home” as a color combo in my own kitchen, as shown below!

My own little Budda Bar

Every morning I worship my Rohl faucet, like working sculpture I always say (now if only I could actually teach it to do the dinner dishes!)

Tres chic, oui?

Peace branch out.

Olympic image from Getty, Fergie Pix by Ms. April Clark and collage images from House Beautiful and Elle

UP

Up was by far one of my favorite movies of the year.  The film’s 2 minute sequence showing the couples entire married life together is so beautifully done-pure genius.  The message of the movie- its never too late for a new adventure, priceless.

For this I would think bold color, retro style with a twist of ’scout/explorer spirit thrown in for good measure.  Winged and balloon inspired accessories take flight, while a cocktail dress –that appears to have actually been inspired by a female “Snipe” named Kevin—would be perfect once you hit solid ground at Paradise Falls.

The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Being a huge Wes Anderson fan, I couldn’t imagine how his style would translate into animation.  Anderson’s Mr. Fox did not disappoint.  All the quirky characters and dialogue stayed intact, as did his usual amazing art direction..he does ‘dingy’ colors better than anyone.

The movie which was bathed in shades of rusty orange and Earth tones, was a visual delight.  I would take that same color (foxy orange) and style it into a 70’s boho feel with an attitude of coy, self-confident and slightly flawed-just like The Fantastic Mr. Fox himself (p.s. how amazing is George Clooney’s performance in this!!!).

Avatar

Wow, that James Cameron is one talented guy…he sure knows how to make an epic movie that sells tickets.  Though there are real life fleshy actors in this film, its animation is the real star.

Cobalt blue and Eco-Greens would have to dominate.  Perfect for those moldy-futuristic prints that are showing up, they almost look like an eco-system is going to grow out of them.  The attitude would have to be just like all of Cameron’s lead female roles-fearless: kick-ass and sexy.

The Princess And The Frog

Its nice to know that even though technology is making animation more and more realistic, the art of the old-school gets an Oscar nod as well.  The beautifully drawn cartoon has all the same Disney magic-with a refreshing modern edge set against the colorful backdrop of New Orleans and the Louisiana Bayou.

I’m thinking a bit of southern NOLA flair mixed in with crisp white and of course frog green.  Switch out the tiara for a headband by day and wear a modern version of a southern belle gown for a night at the local juke joint.

Coraline

Like most people perhaps I thought Coraline was the work of Tim Burton, since the art direction was so similar to the Nightmare Before Christmas.  Low and behold it was not, instead the stop-animation film is the product of Henry Selick’s creative mind.  Selick did direct Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas…so obviously the two feed off of each others hip and macabre minds.

I’m thinking the styling would be somewhat downtown-not quite goth, but most surely slightly off.  I’d wish for a touch of Coraline’s blue hair, this season’s trendy vivid purple lids (better than button eyes, eh!) and edgy, modern shapes with just a touch of darkness…yet, I suppose I should-like the film’s spooky and philosophical warning: “be careful of what I wish for”!!!!

All movie images from Oscar.com, All fashion and beauty images from Elle.com

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/oscars-inspired-part-2/feed/ 1 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/grammys-grays-and-split-personalities/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/grammys-grays-and-split-personalities/#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:02:57 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=8365 When the Grammy’s, the Paris Couture runways and a full moon all fall within the week -you know the cosmic forces are aligned to shower us with some fashion talk.

At Grammy night, Lady GaGa’s celestial, spiral Armani dress most definitely set the tone, but it left me wondering if GaGa herself had text-ed everyone that wrapping was in since so many stars seemed to follow suit by either showing up wrapped in at least one band of metallic or simply wrapped tight in a (surprise) lady-like evening gown.  Usually Grammy fashion tends to be lots of ‘head scratchers’, I actually thought this year many looked really pretty-out there, yes-but pretty.

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When I heard this week that gray hair was suddenly the height of high fashion I happily toss my box of Nice & Easy to the curb. If Kate Moss and wispy models from Christian Dior and Chanel could embrace and face the facts-that those pesky grays are indeed beautiful, then gosh darn it so could I.

Then when I realized that theirs were actually faux, meant to look more cool not more mature- I humbly fished my box of Light Coppery Auburn #10 right back out from underneath the coffee grinds.

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When it comes to color-picking a favorite to wear can be hard.  You love your urban inky blacks, but boldly saturated colors speak to you with equal intensity. What’s a confused fashionista pulled in 2 directions to do? Designer Alexis Mabille has a suggestion:

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Now that’s what I call a split decision, sister!

I simply cannot get enough of the balconies, wrought iron, or colorful facades.

How cool are these still working gas lights?

Of course I went to Marie Laveau’s grave (google it) where I left an offering (in sets of 3s) , placed my hand on the stone, and made a wish. But while walking in the cemetery, I found the most wonderful shadows. Below are some of my favorite scenes.

Ms. Laveau’s grave on the left and another voodoo grave on the right.

How cool is the shadow and light play. The city has always been a balance of “light” and “dark” both literally and figuratively. Naturally crosses are abundant in a cemetery, but they’re just so cool and different. I just bought an emerald cross necklace to wear, as my obsession will not fade. Explore the cities “buried treasure” here www.graveaddiction.com.

Some of my favorite views in the Quarter.

I get very excited about hardware and building materials.Want the same architectural details in your home ? Try exploring salvage yards or online at sites like this http://www.thegreenproject.org

This is Kelly Israel’s decorated 1981 Cadillac Fleetwood Hearse. Just remember that if you take a photo, drop a donation in the window. Check out his other works at www.myspace.com/deadicateddetail

So these are a few of my favorite things. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and get inspired by your own surroundings. Seeing New Orleans moving forward after Katrina really gives me hope that Haiti will be able to rebuild, as a memorial for those lost and a promise to the future. Plan your New Orleans vacation soon- it’s a perfect place for both families and singles. www.neworleansonline.com

And please continue to support Haiti by donating through various charities.re.clintonbushhaitifund.org

Look for more pictures from my  Mardi Gras trip and be on the lookout for my interview with my  favorite painters in the whole world, right in NOLA – Miss Ashley Longshore. www.ashleylongshore.com

Now if I could just get Brad Pitt to meet me at the Napoleon House for a few Sazeracs, who knows what could happen.

In case you want to see the great work Brad’s organization is doing in the city , click on http://www.makeitrightnola.org/. Photo from celebrity- gossip.net.

GO SAINTS

If you polled my own family that figure would probably shoot up to around 75%- cause I’m sure that not a day goes by from January to March that you won’t catch someone in my house uttering an exasperated “I haaaate winter”!

Since we know that looking at bright colors can give one an instant boost and help to uplift droopy spirits- it would only make sense to surround ourselves with these colors, right?

Think about it.

If you suddenly found yourself compelled to curl up in a ball and sulk over an impending ice storm- wouldn’t you feel less-like doing so, if you walked into your bedroom and saw this:

or if a snowstorm forces you to work from your home office, while you’d much rather be outside playing hooky, building snowmen with the kids…wouldn’t you be happy to be chained to the desk, at least for a little while- if it were this desk:

And wouldn’t a night at home in front of a fire bundled up attempting to keep your monthly heating bill below the 1k mark, be so much more of a fun adventure- if you were lounging on this:

Are you getting the picture now?

I only bring it up because Russell & Mackenna, the company behind these 3 colorful gems, recently contacted me with a delicious offer.  A special coupon for Live In Full Color readers!

From today until February 15 LIFC readers can use this special coupon code and receive an astonishing 40% off all Russell & MacKenna furniture!

Oh, how I love a good, colorful offer!

Check out their website- it’s super cute!!! Their variety of 33 paint possible color choices alone I guarantee will have you dreaming of beachy days and warmer times faster than your local Storm Doppler Radar system can predict that next big winter storm!

In your face Jack Frost!!!!

There was color and style, both good, bad and inspiring- here’s a few I noted:

Best Use Of An Umbrella

Diane Kruger’s eye catching color was hard not to notice (love the ombre)- but I have to admit her dress wasn’t completely wooing me until I saw it in this context. With debonair Joshua Jackson (looking very Cary Grant-ish to me) trying to keep her dry, I’m thinking the rain soaked duo played out the weather hurdle in true glamorous spirit.

Doesn’t this image look like a movie poster for a classic Lomabard/Gable movie from the 30’s. Love it! Well done you two for making the bad weather and one ginormous umbrella work to your advantage!

The One Color Trend I Wish Hadn’t Been Taken So Literally

I know, I know- I read Vogue, too. Statement, black shoes are very RIGHT NOW.  I feel though, that they must be worn with great care. There must be some cohesion with the ensemble with which they are paired – especially to a red carpet event.

Don’t get me wrong, I think all three of these women are super duper GORGEOUS, but the dark shoes paired with these gowns-I’m not feeling it.

OH, No!  Et Tu Anna?!

You know when you’re in a fitting room trying on a dress and in order to check out if the length is o.k. you have to put on the shoes that you wore into the store- that’s what all four are reminding me of.

Case in point.  Whether or not you agree with the fashion critic that Julia was dressed too casually for the evening, you have to at least give her props for actually pulling this one shoe trend off -like a seasoned pro.

Oh and by the way, on a complete side note:I thought that Mickey Rourke’s date played “Cameron Diaz walking a red carpet” better then Cameron actually did this go around-

The Difference Between Good Shoes And Bad- They Make You “OOH” Not “OoowwW”

“oooohhh”

OMG- “OoooWWWww”  There is only one place that I would think white platforms are appropriate and unless Kate is researching a role- she should stay far away from there!

Black is Back (Though I Suppose It Never Officially Left)

Lea Michelle’s black tulle gown was 100% old school beauty, but since Lea is actually young enough to play a girl still in school I would have rather seen her wear a bit of color…though as someone who wore black to my own prom, I should perhaps not judge.

Now with Penelope, I fear as if black has become too much of her uniform lately.  Show us some of that Spanish flair, Pen.  Tomato Red is said to be hot for spring and I can’t think of anyone who would have looked more caliente wearing it!

I actually love January Jone’s dress and that she’s wearing  black.  Two slight changes I would have made.  1. Lose the headband, it’s distracting and not necessary and 2. I would have loved if either the dress was a tad shorter or her heels were a bit higher.  I always feel that when a column gown skims the ground, it makes the person wearing it appear shorter than they really are.

Or in some cases- bustier…wow that’s a whole lot of spray tan!

Most Likely To Be Voted Color Twins

This morning when my husband breezed through the room and told me that “pink and lavender were the colors everyone is talking about”, I felt as if I had perhaps woken up in an episode of the Twilight Zone.

If I hadn’t been in so much shock, I probably would have been quicker on the draw and ready to reply- ‘oh yeah, well how about gray with purple undertones- did they mention that by any chance smarty pants.”

I mention it, because I found it very interesting that two very different style stars choose to wear this ‘complex neutral’ as color junkies like my sister Kate call it.  But in very different ways.

This can be a tricky color, because the wrong move can make this exciting color go from grand entrance to ‘grey gardens’ in a NY minute.

So who did it right?  I think Jennifer Garner.  The added sparkle, the body hugging cut and the easy smile are total screen star-ilicious.

Sadly, I applaud Chloe for her fashion-forward loving self, but the fabric and the flounce, the severe hair and the pucker were lack luster in my book. The dress actually reminded me of something Shirley Maclaine’s character might wear if they made Terms Of Endearment Part 3.

Candy Colors Were Very Popular (a.k.a my husband was right)

Do you suppose these two shopped in the same store?

Fergie was quite pretty in this pale lavender “bodice ripper” number. I’m guessing in person the color made her eyes look spectacular! Perhaps she went with the hair down, to help cover up her lady lumps-just a bit.  I’m guessing the idea was for a soft look to match the soft dress-but I’m wishing she had worn it pulled back in a loose low chignon- it would have served her overall style better.

Now Sandra, whom I love!!!!, makes me sad.  Because though I love this color on her and do agree that it would have been a color to be remembered for, I think because of the fabric- the dress itself looks like something you would find in a little girls dress up box. And when you actually take home one of the awards, that’s probably not a description you would want attached to your outfit.  I heard her joking on the red carpet that her dress was made out of plastic…Sandra-

We must all  learn from Angelina’s Oscar mistake- if there is even a slight chance you might win…don’t pick it as the night you take a big fashion police risk!

Speaking of learning from others’ mistakes- I’m talking to you Marion Cotillard…your walking a thin line, mon cherie

THAT WE MUST NEVER DARE CROSS AGAIN!!!!

Okay I have to get back to color now.

Best use of  accessory color goes to:

Amy Adams.  Amy, I’ve been there and I know how hard it is to rock that early belly bump- when you realize your favorite jeans may never button up again and suddenly nothing fits and you no longer know how to dress your body….  but your pairing of your blue/green dress with orange shoes and bag made you my clever fashion hero of the night.  Let the others have their slinky little numbers, your color pairing took your matronly situation into total modern grounds!

Best Color Goes To Texture

That sounds a bit strange, but since no one color was knocking me dead I felt that the most interesting style statement of the night was the gowns busy with ruffles, bows and layers.  It can be a hard style to wear, but I thought all three of these ladies wore the look with total ease.

Others though, were lost a bit in translation:

I probably would love Drew’s dress if the ruffle at the hip had been just a tad smaller.  I read somewhere this morning that her dress looked as if she was “growing fungus”.

Oh and just a quick quote to the men-

You’re Men- Use It To Your Advantage And Wear A Tux

How fantastically dapper are these two!

As much as I love fashion, if there was a classic uniform for women to wear to these things I would be all over it!  Leave the weird outfits for Mickey Rourke!  Even David Arquette has come around:

though he still needs to have his tailored.

Okay by this point in the broadcast I started to get bored because I started pairing up random couples because of the colors and styles they were wearing.

Perhaps Harrison should ditch Calista’s

and if these too haven’t met yet- they should…

And then I think I began hallucinating….

So I flipped the channel.

all images from Getty via TMZ, Eonline and Moviefone.  Dick Van Dyke as the beloved Bert from IMD

]]> http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/the-colors-and-styles-of-the-2010-golden-globes/feed/ 5 http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/colorful-insights-and-inspirations/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/colorful-insights-and-inspirations/#comments Tue, 12 Jan 2010 05:11:47 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=7787 Have you been following Ten Design Days over on Living In Color With Sonu and HomeWorkshop.com?  If you haven’t been, get caught up now–it’s fantastic!!

Kate was thrilled when Sonu and Kathy asked her to join in their line up of amazingly talented peeps all talking “resolutions for the new year”.

Since Kate loves nothing more than sharing her love and knowledge of color with others, it seemed only fitting that her resolution for the new year would be to Learn More.  She has put together a fantastic list of ways that you can (as LIFC writer April might say) get your “color on”!

While we were batting around ideas to include in Kate’s top 10 tips, I realized just how important “learning more” is in my own life.  New places, new people and new ideas are really what drives me- they have no doubt, driven me to write this blog.  While curiosity may have killed the cat, being curious is what keeps this colorful kitty feeling very much alive.

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There is a Buddhist Proverb that I love, it says- “When the student is ready, the master appears.”

I take much comfort in this thought. If you say to the world (or even if you just whisper to yourself) that you want to learn more, no matter what the subject, the means and the opportunity will present themselves to you.

If  learning more about color is something that interests you in this new year, which we hope it is, then you’ve come to the right place(s).  Sonu Matthew’s Living In Color With Sonu is a stylish walk through a world of color, Kathy Barlow’s HomeWorkshop.com is a bevy of color filled design inspirations and  us…well we do what we can to spread the word that colorful knowledge is king!

Best part- once you begin to learn more about color, I guarantee the world around you will become a much more colorful place.

Suddenly you’ll begin to notice things- a dress that inspires the perfect mood for a bedroom palette, an awareness of why the colors on a box may make you pick one product over another at the grocery store, even how come that house on the end of your street always catches your eye (ahh, it’s that perfect shade of red paired against its complimentary sage green of the siding that gives the front door such visual impact!- see you’re already a color genius!!!)

For me this is when the fun of color really begins.

I loved this dress when I spotted it in a mag- the next day
I noticed a very similar palette on a line of fabrics from Calico Corner-
the inspiration for my dream modern bohemian bedroom-found!

Like Kate says in her tips, there are many simple ways you can get started to learn more about color this year. Since I’m more of a ‘do-er’ when it comes to learning, I figured I would share with you one of my favorite ways that I’ve learned more about color over the past few years.

It’s an exercise I like to call ‘color field work’.  All it requires of you is to simply open your eyes-fabulous explorer garb and binoculars are completely optional.

Designers, merchandisers, artists; examples of their talented use of color surrounds us everyday. Taking a color lesson is as easy as strolling your local mall or walking the aisles of your favorite fabric or stationary store. A trip to an art museum becomes a completely different experience when you begin to focus on how a painter washes their canvas with color. A few moments in front of a Matisse- priceless!

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Stationary stores are among my favorite of all places to
discover new combinations and to test my mad color wheel skills

A trip to the mall had Kate discovering a secret palette
on the inside of this JCrew coat-there are no boundaries
when it comes to smart design and beautiful color

Remember, this exercise isn’t just about discovering what you like. Recognizing what you don’t can be just as important. Like Kate mentioned in her tips, our reactions to color come from deep inside us. There really isn’t any set color rules of “right or wrong”, in the case of color-beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder.

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I love this dining room by Jonathan Adler, but the memory of a bright yellow shirt your mother
forced you to wear for your 5th grade school picture may have you running for the hills at even
the thought of ever using this hue in your own home (emotional impact perhaps? Told you it’s true.)

When we recognize our own unique tastes the answers to some puzzling questions like- why don’t I love my living room or how come I never wear that shirt that I love so much on the hanger- start to become clear.

Then we can begin to use our new found knowledge to “right” all of our “colorful wrongs”!

We realize what the perfect color to freshen up the walls could be, how changing out the rug could change the room’s mood, how adding that perfect shade of well-placed accessories would be like giving the space a breath of fresh air: why adding a colorful piece of jewelry or a unexpected shade of shoes suddenly makes that unworn shirt our newest staple-I’m telling you, colorful ideas start showing up to save the day and hopefully in the end saving you some ‘greens’, to boot.

So take the time in 2010 to Learn More. Pick a subject and expand your mind, carve out time to pursue a passion, gather tools and become more self-sufficient- surround yourself with those that can teach you and those that you can teach right back.

Make Buddha proud.

Check out this update: Kate posted a fun wrap up of Ten Design Days with ‘What I Learned From Ten Experts in Ten Days.”

The year started out with the most miraculous feat in aviation since the Wright Brothers and ended with an equally heroic act in midair. We said hello to our first African-American President and good bye to our most famous African-American celebrity. We were entranced by some fictional monsters and duped by some real life ones.

From TMZ to Tea Parties to Tami Flu; Celebrity infidelities, reality star wannabes behaving badly, health care reform, H1N1 and the unemployment rate all left a bitter taste in our mouths.  Luckily the cupcake craze came along and gave us a rush of sweet as we ‘tweet-ed’ our every movement and ‘friend-ed’ everyone we’ve known since 3rd grade.

The idea of beautiful was turned upside down as a spinster opening her mouth spun gold and a beauty queen opening her’s spun only controversy. Shoes that defied gravity, charcoal lipstick and Jade green polish gave fashion an extra edge- but even they failed to excited us even half as much as what Lady Gaga wore on her laundry day.

Michelle donned Lemongrass and revamped the White House, purples and grays colored our hip homes while vibrant reds and rich emerald lent a pop of color to fashion’s otherwise trend of dusty, blush-like hues.

Going Green gained momentum as we cashed in our gas guzzling clunkers and fought rising heating cost wrapped in our Snuggies. Stimulus plans were set to plant the seeds of new beginnings, while the darkness and casualties of war left us all struggling to find an end in sight- my, oh my -if only there were  ‘an App for that!”

2009-a colorful year indeed…

Happy New Year!  May 2010 be filled with colorful joy, good health and peace for us all!

images-Lady gaga- huffington post, Couple crashers-AP images, Michelle Obama- image from the Insider.com, Ballon boy- ABC News Australia, Micheal Jackson- ebay, Mcqueen shoes- style.com, Steelers- steeler.com, Yankees- Yankees.com, Plane on the Hudson- time.com, Chanel polish- shefinds.com, Susan Boyle- mirror uk, Taylor swift – wire image, Catherine Malandrino- style.com,Avatar-able to know.com, Dc march –mailoonline.com, Obama and Kennedy- AP images, Clunker- getty images, Chair-Housebeautiful.com, Snuggie amazon, David letterman- babble.com, Sarah Palin amazon.com,Farrah- yahoo.com, shopping bag- zazzle.au, Gucci purse-style.com, Sheepskin rug- ikea, Miss California- AP images, iphone-iphone.com, tattoo models-style.com, Twitter icon-twitter.com, Facebook icon-facebook.com, Kindle-amazon.com, paint swatch- housebeautiful.com, eyeshadow-style.com, cupcake-designerevents.com