The Pantone Colour of 2012: Tangerine Tango

Keep an eye on this colour palate; it will dominate fashion runways and couture in some interesting mixes and interpretations.  Pantone Inc., the 'authority in colour', has released the Spring 2012 Fashion Colour Report, and has also announced the dominating hue that has been named the Colour of 2012 - Tangerine Tango.

Das righ', we'll break it down and say 'sunshine orange' for those who may not be the biggest fan of including the colour in your personal wardrobe.  It's a fine line between statement and pumpkin, yeah?  It's a happy colour, and I've so far personally identified it with a 'happy feeling', watching Beyonce walk the 2011 VMA red carpet in a one-shoulder Lanvin 'tangerine dream' as she featured a pronounced baby bump.  (I was dancing in my seat when it happened - I love the woman!) 

But we ain't B, are we?  *wink*  It is a bold colour, but you can't help but smile at it when you see it.  It's a colour I see myself wearing (whether the skin tone can handle it is another issue to deal with), but not head-to-toe - I'd rather not subject people to staring into a tangerine abyss and cause migraines.  An accent or the right piece can always make a difference, or even softening the intensity of the hue, depending on the piece.  The colour itself is dramatic with a strong red base, but gives a "friendly glow" with its heavy orange undertones, almost giving way to a yellow aura of warmth.  It'll be a colour that just might make your day a little better.

Check out a few different ideas Tangerine Tango can dance its way into your wardrobe, combined with other elements from the Spring 2012 Colour Palate!

:: cutout dress, Rachel Roy :: bib necklace, Lizzie Fortunato ::

:: shirtdress, Nordstrom :: necklace pendant, no artist listed (let me know if this is you!) ::

:: tote, Diane von Fuerstenburg :: ring, Alkemie + Nautilus ::

:: trench coat, Moncler :: ballet flats, Michael Kors ::

:: tangerine briollette necklace, no artist listed (let me know if this is you!) :: dress, Amanda Archer ::

:: dress, Peplum :: necklace, Amrita Singh ::

:: earrings, Not One Sparrow :: ring, Lola Rose ::

:: clutch, ASOS :: platform heels, TopShop ::

Aaaaaand, and few more outfit ideas I may borrow from in the future ...

:: D-Squared :: Kate Spade :: Marc by Marc Jacobs ::

I'll be rummaging through my stash for some inspiration and see how I can blend a little brightness into my wardrobe for this upcoming season.

What's your take on the colour palate?  What colour combinations draw your eye the most?

The Pantone Colour of 2011: Honeysuckle

After the tranquil escapism of their colour choice of Turquoise in 2010, Pantone Inc., the "global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries", has made many dreams come true for those girly-girls out there by announcing Honeysuckle as the signature hue of 2011!

Growing up a tomboy, I was never really attached much to pink as other girls were.  I don't ever recall having a pink bedspread, let alone a pink bedroom.  I had a few pink outfits as a child, and owned Barbies, but I also played in the mud and gave them haircuts so that they could fight with my brother's G.I. Joes.  My wardrobe consisted of well-fitting, awesome clothes with earth tones and neutrals.  Only the last few years had I started to incorporate jewel tones - amethyst purples, bright turquoise, emerald greens, pale yellows and rich pinks - into my wardrobe with key pieces and accessories (scarves are the big thing for me right now!).  I was always worried about looking like I was 'trying too hard' to look feminine, since my tomboyish look has resulted in a "polished bohemian" look, both professional and casual (at least when I'm going out - it's pajama pants and a tee when I'm blogging at home!).  Honeysuckle was a colour that helped me reign in that feminine style without feeling 'fake'.  Whether it's a bold necklace, a casual print top, a pashmina scarf or floral brooch - the piece not only fits right, but feels right.  The fit makes me comfortable, and the colour can change my attitude.  And I know, if I ever want to face a day with a sassy, confident attitude and still feel 'myself', I wear Honeysuckle.

"In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits.  Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color [sic] that gets the adrenaline going - perfect to ward off the blues, explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute®.  "Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color [sic] red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum."

Honeysuckle will be making appearances in day and night apparel for women, as well as accessories and cosmetics.  Mens shirts, ties and sportswear will be featuring this hue for a punch of energetic colour.  Patterned pillows, bedspreads, tabletop accessories, kitchenware and small appliances in this vibrant hue will be gracing homes, as well as wall and window treatments.  This colour will create a flurry of inspiration across the spectrum in the design world - I'm excited to see what will be revealed!

Read more about Pantone's choice of Honeysuckle for 2011 in their press release!

Check out my latest Treasury on Etsy inspired by the Pantone Colour of 2011 - Honeysuckle!

Artbeads.com: The Pantone Colours of Fall 2010

Another Artbeads.com project is here!  If you've read previous posts about Pantone Inc. on this blog, you'll be familiar with their importance in the fashion industry in the definition and language of colour.  The tools available from Pantone are a wealth of resources for fashion designers, interior decorators, paint manufacturers and many other facets of art and design.  Pantone Inc. releases a palpable colour palate every season, coinciding with fashion collections, interior design trends and visual art applications and receive feedback "on prominent collection colors, color inspiration, color philosophy" and signature shades of featured designers.  Take a look at this season's colour palate, featuring a great mix of warm, cool, earth and jewel tones!

So many possibilities when I looked at these colours!  My mind had went wild with the matches and combinations that I could use in these projects.  I had purchased a couple of bronze and gold-plated chain necklaces from Value Village, a local thrift department store, to repurposed into these pieces.  I had also purchased these ball headpins from snapcrafty on Etsy for this project to add some special detail.  There's also a pair of earrings and a few that had lost their mates, a store-bought necklace, fabric appliques from an old shirt and a few other little surprises!

After a little fun with Color Scheme Designer 3 for some inspiration on colour combinations (a great tool when you have an inspiration block, or don't know what to pair those fabulous beads you just got with), I had a great time strolling through Artbeads.com with lots of ideas in mind.  With so many choices in beads and components, I had a hard time narrowing down selections. After finally deciding, I had realized most of my choices came from the Limited Edition selections, which will make these pieces all the more enticing and one-of-a-kind!  Most, if not all, of these beads used in these pieces will no longer be available from the site, but I do insist you take a look - you just may find that 'rare gem' your signature piece can't be without!  Beautiful coloured glass, vintage elements, resin rings and detailed pendants all fit into the bill for this colour-inspired collection.

The Pantone Colour of 2010: Turquoise

With the stressful year that 2009 had given us, Pantone Inc. forcasts an appropriate colour that may reflect the ease of mind and tranquility that we all seek for 2010 - turquoise!

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It 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 Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

Turquoise is a colour that is universally flattering, and could be considered the 'new black': adding a punch of colour to browns, pinks, yellows and deep blues, "translating easily from fashion to interior design," Eiseman says.

Take a look at some of these Etsy finds that celebrate the multi-faceted turquoise spirit!

If Love Is An Ocean, thatjewelrygirl.etsy.com

Seafoam Veil, inspiringcolor.etsy.com 

Blown Bright Multi-Colour Fluted Glass Vase, wolfartglass.etsy.com 

Colour Inspiration: Pantone Fashion Colour Report 2009

Every season, Pantone Inc., the world's leading innovators and authority in colour, pays a visit to the New York Fashion Week to survey featured designers and receive feedback "on prominent collection colors, color inspiration, color philosophy and each designer's signature shade." The result this year is the Pantone Fashion Colour Report, revealing fashion-forward optimism in Spring 2009's selection of pops of colour over deep, translucent neutral tones. In-your-face colour without being overtly offensive, all underneath it, a strong neutral colour to tie it all together. I look at possibilities like a rose-based beige with purple, black and blue-green, or a yellow-based calcite stone with dyed turquoise and tourmaline (one of my latest necklace projects!) Bright colours look best when it's 'stabilized', so to speak, by a base tone that can make the accent colour a 'complimenting contrast' (holding a fresh red rose up to a clear blue sky).

I have not attended any fashion institutes of the like, or worked under any prominent, let alone any, designers and shadowed their work, so it certainly does not make me an 'expert', so they say. No, I'm certainly no 'expert' in fashion, but I know what I like, and I know what colours make me feel good. I wouldn't stop a clothes either; I would imagine these colours in gardens, interior design, visual art. It has been proven that colour plays a large role in our everyday attitude and psyche. In China, a study has proven that green (used in doctor's and dentist's waiting rooms) helps calm breathing, and red (prominent in most restaurant decor) increases desire and hunger. Think of what colours make you happy, then click on the link below the table! This past spring season was one of my absolute favourites and will probably play a role in my palette of colours for a while.



Click here to take a look at some other colour samples. Have fun!

reference: Fashiontribes.com