Pantone for Fall 2011

The Pantone Color of the Year - 18-2120 Honeysuckle - is perfect for the vibrancy of spring and summer but how will this fresh shade transition into the cooler months at the end of the year?

Just as Fall shows are happening in New York, Pantone has released the Fashion Color Report for Fall 2011.

Look to see Honeysuckle becoming more of a supportive accents to the deeper warm tones of Nougat, Phylox and Teal.

To read the full color report, see how designers have been inspired by the palette and to take the color survey, visit Pantone Fashion + Home.

Curating Colors

As Fashion Week winds down we can begin analyzing the trends and colors for the next season.  I'll be posting curated images from the shows I attended and thought this would be some interesting background to help in viewing the collections.

Each season Pantone, the color authority, releases the top color for the season as well as their pick for the color of the year. Working with the designers, they have announced the top 10 colors for women's fashion for Spring 2011.

If you go to the site, you can see sketches from collections using the colors, check out the trends for men's fashion and even pick your favorite of the colors.

You can read the full 40 page report filled with designer inspiraitons and must haves by clicking here.

Pantone Color of the Year 2010 - Turquoise 15-5519

Panton has just announced it's 2010 Color of the year:



Per the site:

Pantone is pleased to announce PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise, an inviting, luminous hue, as the Color of the Year for 2010. Combining the serene qualities of blue and the invigorating aspects of green, Turquoise inspires thoughts of soothing, tropical waters and a comforting escape from the everyday troubles of the world, while at the same time restoring our sense of wellbeing.

In many cultures, Turquoise is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that to many people, Turquoise represents an escape, taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting – even if it is only a fantasy.

Whether envisioned as a tranquil ocean surrounding a tropical island or a protective stone warding off evil spirits, Turquoise is a color that most people respond to positively. It is universally flattering, has appeal for men and women, and translates easily to fashion and interiors. With both warm and cool undertones, Turquoise pairs nicely with any other color in the spectrum. Turquoise adds a splash of excitement to neutrals and browns, complements reds and pinks, creates a classic maritime look with deep blues, livens up all other greens, and is especially trend-setting with yellow-greens.




Last year's color was Mimosa, which was a very sunny optimistic color. It is interesting in a time where we are striving and wishing for peace, that we have a new hopeful blue to guide us.

Pantone Color of the Year 2009: Mimosa

It's always exciting to see what Pantone announces as the new colors for the year. These are the colors you are going to be seeing in fashion and in your home accessory options. Typically fashion leads the way and trends are then translated into decor but you are beginning to see this lag shrink significantly.

As the "global authority on color" we use Pantone products every day in my agency.

When selecting the color for the year, Pantone looks to world trends but they also choose colors to influence the world too. And with this upcoming year's choice, they are certainly doing that. They did not go with a color reflecting a cautious fearful mood, but a strong hopeful one.

The deep, warm, bright yellow, the color of fresh juice...



And the color, perhaps, of hope? The color of change? I think so!



Pantone is not only for art directors or interior designers, although many of their tools are aimed for these uses. They do have a great little Shopping Color guide which is only $20. I bought this deck and it is fun to use to plan out new outfit color combinations and inspirations. They have some books that you should check out too.



If you really want the in-depth coverage and to be ahead of the game, you can download the Fashion Color Report for Spring 2009. This pdf contains the inspiration, prominent colors, signature colors and color philosophy of many of fashion's top designers. It's a great cheat sheet to help guide your choices going into next year.


I'm just going to be reading it because I have a great love of color. I sometimes wish I could narrow down my wardrobe to a more streamlined palette but then I get seduced by a teal or a pink and the black/grey/green parameter goes out the window!

Do you have a favorite color for Spring?

More to learn:
- New York Magazine coverage
- Vogue.com coverage
- Color Matters
- Color Voodoo
- Search Flickr by Color

Dress: Ossie Clark via Vogue.com
Photo credit -Barak and Michelle Obama - EPA via Telegraph UK