Bursting Into Spring
The latest color palette gets a boost of brights
By Lindsey Aspinall Getz
Fashionistas everywhere are sure to be pleased with the succulent brights that highlight the color palette for Spring 2008—and accessories are the perfect way to incorporate these cheerful hues.
DYNAMIC DUOS
The top trend this season is classic neutrals accented by splashes and bursts of bright color.
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Sketches, left to right: Yigal Azrouel; Wichy Hassan for Miss Sixty; Peter Som; Zac Posen; and Elie Tahari. All sketches courtesy of Pantone
"The spring color palette perfectly reflects the cheerfulness of the season," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of More Alive with Color. "Stabilizing neutrals combined with pops of brighter colors to create unique, distinctive looks are the basis for a great spring and summer wardrobe."
NEW NEUTRALS
Classic neutrals making a return this season include Silver Gray, a sparkling and brighter version of this standard hue, which is a direct result of the metallics that were oh-so-trendy for winter.
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Sketches, clockwise from above: Tracy Reese; Y&Kei; James Coviello; Tia Cibani for Ports 1961; Michael Kors
In addition, Croissant, a simple beige base color, is sure to become a season staple. Golden Olive also serves as a neutral base, but with its greenishyellow composition provides a punchier background.
JUICY HUES
The accent colors this season include some beautifully bright hues like Spring Crocus, a flowery violet with undertones of pink, and Cantaloupe, a yummy, pastel orange hue that adds warmth to any wardrobe—especially when paired against chocolate browns.
| Designer INSPIRATION |
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| An inside look at the colors, objects, and philosophies that inspired some of this season's hottest designers. Michael Kors PROMINENT COLORS: Lemon yellow, tangerine, orange, and flamingo pink INSPIRATION: The impressionist paintings of Monet, Seurat, and Van Gogh COLOR PHILOSOPHY: The return to color, from pastels to brights Tracy Reese PROMINENT COLORS: Peacock blue, bright henna, ebony with ivory, cobalt, sugared orange, and teak INSPIRATION: The romantic and exotic colors of Tunisia and Tangier COLOR PHILOSOPHY: To create a new rainbow of fresh colors using the shades of the sun and sand that merge into the cool hues of night Douglas Hannant PROMINENT COLORS: White, silver, Olympian blue, and chartreuse INSPIRATION: Portuguese tiles COLOR PHILOSOPHY: Bright accents of Mediterranean blues and greens played off white Zac Posen PROMINENT COLORS: Earthbound neutrals: Wheat, maple, army, sky blue, saffron, titanium; Synthetic primaries: Yves Klein blue, shaker red, canary yellow, aquarelle INSPIRATION: The purity of natural pigment contrasted with bright primaries COLOR PHILOSOPHY: The duality of earthbound hues and pop color Elie Tahari PROMINENT COLORS: Bright, vivid colors like Parisian blue, canary yellow, and mint green mixed with warmer tones INSPIRATION: The glamour of safari and chic exotic influences COLOR PHILSOPHY: Bold, clean hues decorated by metallics and desert-inspired shades |
Sketches, left to right: Nanette Lepore and Reem Acra
Pink Mist, a delicate and subtle pink, is another popular choice and features faint blue undertones. Its versatility allows it to be paired with any of the colors on this season's palette.
THE RED TREND
Red continues to be a huge color trend this season and has gotten even brighter. Red eyewear is being compared to the white eyewear trend of last season and is expected to be a hot item for spring fashions. The Pantone hue Rococco Red is exciting and attention grabbing, adding a boost to any outfit.
CHEERFUL BRIGHTS
Another bright, Snorkel Blue, is being called a designer favorite this season. It takes a dependable navy and adds animation and sophistication by brightening it up.
In addition, the warm and Freesia is an uplifting, super-bright yellow that adds to the "cheerful" theme that this season's colors exude. Daiquiri Green is another bursting pastel. It's a brighter version of the popular earthy yellow-green.
| The Top 10 List |
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| This year's top 10 colors from the PANTONE color report, in no particular order: ■ Golden Olive ■ Spring Crocus ■ Rococo Red ■ Pink Mist ■ Croissant ■ Freesia ■ Cantaloupe ■ Daiquiri Green ■ Snorkel Blue ■ Silver Gray |
The popularity of brights will surely carry over into the accessory world as the fashion savvy pair bold frames with a more neutral wardrobe. EB
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