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Both Huepoint and Color Box are talking about how greys and neutrals have stepped up their role and are now seen as the key color drivers while colors are now being treated as neutrals. Both highlighted that these unexpected color mixes are the new norm. Both Liz and Hope highlighted how palettes are all about mixing across the spectrum, " Palettes are no longer working on tonal levels, they are more about picking strong core neutrals and building a diverse color story around them," according to Hope. Liz concurred that at Color Box neutrals are the key anchors for all of their color stories.
Overall there is a softness to the season that gets even more pronounced as we move into summer. That's not to say that spicy ethnic and bright palettes are absent, it just means that both services have pastels and dusted midtone candy colors on deck for spring and susnswept summer stories as well.
Liz and Hope both highlighted the importance of Blues for the upcoming spring. Shades from periwinkle to French navy are showing up in all palettes and from what we are seeing, blue may very well be the new green.
Greens and yellows are important across the board and both are appearing side by side in punched up nature stories while orange is the new punch color for sport and city looks. The importance of Pink cannot be underscored enough…true pink shades from fuchsia to bubble gum are appearing in both genders throughout the season, while slightly orange casted pinks such as apricot are showing up in softer palettes. Take a look at the key colors and palettes for Spring 2009:
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Blue Notes
Blues continue to be important as water and as a sky reference in themed looks. Punchy royals, bright turquoise and a handful of softer blues can be mixed and matched with rich navies for a new nautical twist. Rinse denim blue is also key.
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Green
Naturally with all of the green themes out there, any shade of green will be important. Celery shades, bright kellys and citrus shades of green are mixed and matched with one another and also paired with browns for a deeper feel.
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Grey
Greys are the new neutrals for all demographics. Both cold and warm greys are being talked about, each with a different end result. Cool greys take a look to an 80’s or a retro athletic feel while warmer greys convey a sophistication and are best when mixed with brights.
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Orange
As far as punch colors go, nothing gets the job done like orange! Color forecasts show oranges alongside greys and greens and as an integral part to trending palettes.
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Yellow
Again, this punch color is used with greys for a modern look and as a compliment to the many greens on the Spring menu.
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Key Palettes |
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At Hue Point and at Color Box, there was an overall optimism that was expressed in vibrant and nature based palettes. Brights were saturated and rich while mid brights through to kitschy retro shades formed the bulk of the season's looks. Nautical looks stayed the course with traditional colors while 'earthy' and 'nature' were subtexts to just about every palette.
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Nearby Nature
This palette mixes neutral browns with a complete family of greens. Ochre, buttery yellow and honey tan can also be swirled in.
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Foggy London
This palette sees both cool and warm greys up against greyed greens and some pop from red, silver and white. Dark charcoal is used for a warm, dark note.
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Tiki
The name already conjures up images of a slightly kitsch interior from the 50’s and, well, the colors are just that! Sunswept mid brights with an emphasis on green, turquoise, royal and yellow are given some levity thanks to orange and even fuchsia.
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Tropical
These deeply saturated brights can be applied to travel based themes as well as to active looks. Aim for rich royals, verdant greens and blossom colors such as magenta, yellow and orange. |
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Yachting
This palette is perfect for scholarly looks or for boating trends. Start with the usual suspects of reds and blues and follow up with cream and olive green for newness, if you are addressing an older boy audience. A honey tan and turquoise are just the thing to make this look younger |
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This report is an overview of colors for Spring 2009. Call your color representatives for complete color presentations!
COLOR BOX
Liz Lettieri 212- 594 6222
HUEPOINT
NY: Hope at 212 921 2025
LA: Pat Brandt at 323 650 1222
Australia: Sharon Rae
Montreal & Toronto: Robbi Ronis at 514 731 1011
Vancouver: Vivian Wong at
604-322-8880 |
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