Americans have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day since the 1850’s. But if you’re knowledge of Irish history only goes as deep as a mug of green beer you might be surprised to learn that in Ireland this holiday is not celebrated as wildly as in the U.S. and that there is not a historic connection between green and St. Patrick.

It is only in modern times that green has become associated with St. Patrick’s Day. Blue, not green, is the color long associated with St. Patrick.

A green shamrock was a symbol that St. Patrick had used to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish and ‘the wearing of the green’ meant to wear a shamrock to display your faith.

It is widely believed that beginning in the mid-1700’s people mistook the phrase to mean wearing green garments and we all know the rest of the story…the wearing of green has become ubiquitous with St. Patrick’s Day.

In fact green has become so strongly attached not just to this holiday but to Ireland many believe that it is the ‘official’ color of the country. While there is no official color two hues of blue, St. Patrick’s Blue and Presidential Blue are widely used by the Government of Ireland.

Presidential Blue is darker than St. Patrick’s Blue and both can be seen the football (soccer) uniforms of Dublin County and the liveries of Aer Lingus. Presidential Blue appears in the Irish Crest and St. Patrick’s Blue can be seen behind the gold bardic harp on on the ancient Irish flag.

So while I’ll still be ‘wearing the green’ today my heart will be ‘true blue’ all the way down to my Irish roots.

PS- I can’t help but wonder if the green really came about when the first creative pub owner tried to make blue beer. Blue food color + yellow beer…oops! Hmm, how can we spin this? Can’t let all that good beer go to waste! ☺

Happy St. Paddy’s Day

After all, what are rainy Monday mornings for anyway?

I noted a few trends- right off the bat that I like.

Here are the first 5.

I have always loved Tomato Red. I used to call it “Folk Art Red” because it reminds me of that reddish-orange that you see  often times combined with deep blues, greens and muddy neutrals in rustic art and crafts.  It’s a jolt of a color!

There will be plenty of red dresses in designer’s collections come spring.  I think the boldness of the color makes it more feminine than the deeper “powerhouse” reds of seasons before.

Awesome for a bathing suit (like this one from Badgley Mischka) or as the perfect beauty accessory.  The lips at Prada (as seen above) and Gucci were outrageously intense.  My favorite way it was used on the runway: a simple red (extra long) barrette that appeared at 3.1 Phillip Lim on many of his models- so simple, so unexpected, so chic!!!!

I don’t know- what do you call this color brown?  Sable, Cognac, British Khaki?  Whatever you choose to call it, it’s fabulous for leather this Spring- I am bowing down before that rich Alexander Wang coat (I suppose so rich, the model could not afford a shirt to go along with it?).

The color is extra exciting when paired with greens, especially powder soft Sea-Green (Burberry), deep Kelly Green (Dries Van Noten) and spring-y Chartreuse Green(Rochas). So Fresh!

Cross my heart, my ankles and my shoulders- and hope I get to own anything that is draped with a cross over.  It’s one of my favorite silhouettes of the season. Taken a bit to the extreme at Blouson (buckle straps) and with some clever styling (ribbons up the legs) at Chanel, but super easy and breezy everywhere else. Very flattering for all- a plus.

Oooh, this is my favorite motif.  Heavy black, chunky lines and piping.  We know verticals are slimming!!! So they are our friends.  Love the piped edges that were also being shown on blouses and dresses throughout many collections, really cute.

The  modern spectators by Dries Van Noten, with just that right amount of chunky color, are my dream shoes for Spring- check out the bright green heel….oh, if only!!!

Have a been looking at my computer too long?  Yikes, I feel as if I have.  I do though, have to admit my favorite prints are the ones that look like you’re seeing them with tired screen eyes.  Diane Von Furstenberg’s itty bitty flower prints seem to come in and out of focus, Zac Posen’s looks like bindi dots from a print out and the redo of ikat as if computer generated- as seen at Gucci and Carolina Herrera is a fun twist on the traditional ethnic print (truly ancient/modern).

Gucci went so far as to project pixel like patterns directly on the runway- they get extra points for creativity and helping me prove my point. Grazi for that Gucci!!!

Okay, now I do have to get some actual work done.  Will be back with more trends as I spot them! Ciao.

All image from Elle.com, except image of Blouson taken from Refinery 29.com

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/2009-in-full-color/ http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/2009-in-full-color/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:14:31 +0000 juliehoylen http://www.sensationalcolor.com/liveinfullcolor/?p=7741 Before I step one more foot into 2010, I figured I’d have a go at rounding up the colorful events, people and well-colors that shaped this past year.  There were plenty of highlights, a few too many lows if you asked me and some media sensations that simply made you wonder “Do we all really have this much time on our hands?”

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

For many it is preferable, perhaps because picking peridot for a bit of panache will not empty your purse.

Peridot is the translucent green gem stone variety of the abundant mineral olivine. It forms during volcanic eruptions. Small pieces of peridot can be found scattered along the beaches in Hawaii. Folklore tells the story of how they are crystallized tears from the Goddess of Volcanoes, Pele.

Ancient Greeks and Romans admired this beautiful stone. Most of the pieces found among their ruins were from the island of St John in the Red Sea. It use to have an abundance of a highly prized dark green variety. Today, the most desirable colors are bright lime greens – the more vivid the better.

This simple setting with a flattering cushion cut peridot, showcases the clear lime green color and luminosity.

You don’t have to be green with envy.

The price is pleasing, making peridot plausible for everday pizazz!

pillows and fabrics from Calico Corners

The addition of fleshy golds and fresh greens warms up classic blue and white in home, in fashion- add in a touch of dingy gray, coal black and metallics ( either gold or silver would work) and you’ve got a look that’s totally futuristic boho.

Diane Von Furstenberg Resort 2010, Marni Spring 2009, Marc Jacobs Spring 2009 and Rodarte Fall 2009- images from Elle.com

image from NASA

I will be celebrating Earth Day today by starting a compost pile, planting some flowers, vowing to be more diligent about recycling, re-purposing, conserving water and worshiping all palettes blue and green.  Remember that old saying ‘blue and green never to be seen without a color in between’?  Well that theory has thankfully been blown out of the crystal blue water.. as blue and green make for a trendy and oh- so exciting combo in fashion this year.

Runway looks from Anna Sui, Christian Lacroix and Gucci

Issac Mizrahi, John Galliano, Louis Vuitton and Lanvin

Source

In home, pairing blue and green has become a modern classic.  Depending on the intensity of the hues – rooms can go from punchy and whimsical ( brighter shades ) to calm and serene ( the watery hues that I can’t get enough of right now!)  I clicked around the House Beautiful website… and here’s a few great examples that I found-

Keep the world a colorful, beautiful place… do something good for your enviroment today!

I met Jake when he called to check facts for a story I was going to be quoted in and before I knew it we were chatting about color and Jake was conducting an impromptu interview about my business.  It seems that his natural curiosity started the conversation but his journalist instincts soon took over and he wanted to explore an idea he had for a story of his own.

It was great fun to talk to him and after our conversation and a couple of follow up emails he came up with so much to write about that the article spilled over into two days.

Jake Finally Learns What A Color Strategist Does (Part I) and (Part II) Thanks Jake! 

But getting back to the colorful t-shirt pics…

Jake’s girlfriend wanted him to go with her to her high school reunion and he wanted my opinion on which color would make the best impression.  He sent me over a few pictures that he had colored in to show me what colors he was considering.

Although we all probably give a bit more thought to our appearance on occasions like this I’d already learned enough about Jake to guess that this wasn’t really a decision he was agonizing over so I served up the following color advice complete with a dash of humor:

YELLOW – You are letting the world know you are energetic and have high spirits. You will catch attention with bright yellow and it is the perfect color if you want to share your creative spirit and original thinking because you’ll attract curious listeners all evening, just like bees to honey.

RED – Are you wanting to let your girlfriend’s former classmates know that you are popular and powerful? Then red is the way to go. It will also let them know that you like to have fun and are at the ready to take charge of just about any situations, even the reunion party, if it isn’t as lively as you’d like it to be.

GREEN – You’ll come across as a very social person, yet as someone that places value on status and may even have a tendency to talk about people or judge them by their appearance. Not a color that will put people at ease with you right away. Choosing a yellow-green might be better, as it says you are a high energy, adventurous person that is too busy for gossip.

BLUE – Blue will have you looking cool and confident. It is a color that is naturally appealing and on you, with those blue eyes, it will be that much more attractive. Be careful, though, as blue lovers are susceptible to flattery, so don’t let the admiration of those former cheerleaders and beauty queens go to your head.

Curious as to which color he chose?  You’ll find the answer at the end of Part 2.

Jake’s entire story can be found on Entrepreneur magazine’s blog Daily Dose.

Jake Finally Learns What A Color Strategist Does (Part I)
Jake Finally Learns What A Color Strategist Does (Part II)

The windows of Lord and Taylor in New York City capture the fantasy with a scheme of yummy gingerbread and confectionery colors.

At Macy’s the colors are reminiscent of the most fabulous toys from my childhood technicolor dreamworld and even if you can’t see the windows in person you can visit macysbelieve.com for a bit of holiday magic online.

In a palette of blue and white the Saks straight-faced snowflakes are just waiting to break into a show-stopping smile.

For more on the holiday windows in NYC visit a Guide to the Holiday Windows.

I could sit for hours inside the US Botanical Garden and just inhale the beauty and magnificence nature affords us. Last weekend I headed over but before I even made my way inside the landscaping at the entrance stopped me in my tracks. It was so simple yet captivating.

The entire garden was brimming with flowers and foliage in green and purple. The greens ranged from a dark, muted green gray to a vibrant yellow green. The purples were in the range from clear true purple to those hues that bordered on burgundy.

The garden towers were painted in the most vivid hues of this analogous scheme.

The boldly colored towers and splashes of the bright purple and lime green foliage added interest and a bit of whimsy.

If asked to describe in one word what I loved about this garden it would be ‘Simplicity!’

By massing fewer varieties of plants in larger areas it was easy to see the area as a unified space.

The repetition of plants and the common thread of color created a harmonious design.

By the time I was walking up Capital Hill I was already mentally planning my own version and having second thoughts about my plan to trade my yard for a no maintenance condo on the water.

I quickly came to my senses however and simply made a mental note to make sure the condo is a short walk to an equally beautiful garden that someone else takes care of.