Fall 2011 Color Report

Fashion Week is synonymous with fantasy designs; watching for up-and-coming designers; and identifying trends. Whether you follow the Haute Couture Fashion Week in Paris or the next season’s trends in Milan, London or New York, one thing that is a common theme throughout is color. During New York’s Fashion Week, Pantone, Inc. always releases its color trend forecast.

Here in Chicago, we’re barely getting ourselves out of snow…in fact, there’s another snowfall predicted for tomorrow. And while we can’t wait for spring and to wear the Spring Colors, Pantone released the Fall 2011 Color Trend report last week at New York’s Fashion Week. So, even though we want to think of short-sleeves and bright colors, the fashion industry is showing us that color will be with us when we put our chunky knits and layers back on later in the year.

Honeysuckle-colored weddings (Image source: Wedding101.net)

The color trend report is usually associated with womenswear fashion, but these same colors can be seen in menswear. wedding schemes and home decor fabrics and paints that you’ll find at your home improvement centers.

I don’t really know if the quilting industry follows Pantone’s color trends. Do you? If you do, please leave me a comment below. I’d love to know.

Honeysuckle — The “It” Color For Fall 2011

How did you feel about the “IT” color from spring, honeysuckle? If you’re not a pink person, you might be a bit hesitant about it. But if you are a pink person, you’ll be continuing your love through fall.

Pantone calls this fall’s colors as “The Art of Color — Sensible and Spirited,” recalling a painter’s masterpiece of combining color with neutrals. I happen to love color, so personally I’m thrilled to see color injected into the neutrals. And here they are. If you want to skip ahead to download the full report from Pantone, be sure to look through the designer inspirations from fashion trendsetters like Betsey Johnson, Chris Benz, Tracy Reese, Adrienne Vittadini, Carmen Marc Valvo, Elie Tahari, Tommy Hilfiger and more. Don’t miss the section of “must-haves.”

 

Pantone Fall 2011 Color Trend (Image source: bagaddictsanonymous.com)

Bamboo, a surprising fall hue, brings a warm, exotic flavor to the season. Like a filtered sunset on the waning days of fall, Bamboo is a standout yellow with a subtle green undertone. This dappled shade pairs dramatically with several of the top 10, including Phlox, Teal and Honeysuckle.

Radiant Emberglow, a traditional autumnal tone, emanates the warmth of a glowing fire – the perfect panacea to the crisp air of fall. Combine Emberglow with Coffee Liqueúr for a classic look, or with Honeysuckle for something a bit more retro. Add a spark with shoes or a handbag in Emberglow, or perhaps a patterned scarf combining purpled Phlox or Deep Teal.

Offering a sense of continuity from spring, dynamic Honeysuckle adds a bold punctuation point. This playful, reddish pink works with any other color in the palette, especially fall staples like Coffee Liqueúr and Nougat. To add some intensity, pair it with complementary Bamboo. Flirtatious and festive, Honeysuckle produces a healthy glow – great for cosmetics and holiday soirees.

Phlox, a magical, deep purple with a hint of mystery, is an outstanding statement when worn on its own. Add Phlox to this season’s neutrals to create a bit of drama, or combine it with Cedar, Deep Teal or Coffee Liqueúr for something extraordinary. To add even more excitement, pair Phlox with Honeysuckle or Bamboo against a Cedar background – a combination inspired by Mother Nature.

Evoking the freshness of a cool mist in a dark forest, Cedar is a versatile, mid-tone neutral green. It is a natural with Deep Teal, and sophisticated and timeless with Phlox or Orchid Hush. Deep Teal, a strong, blue-toned green, suggests ocean depths and the color of the sky as daylight descends into darkness. A great standard when used with Cedar, its color-wheel neighbor, Deep Teal is also a unique counterpoint to Honeysuckle.

Consumers continue to add stability to their wardrobes with neutrals. Rich, decadent Coffee Liqueúr brings a sense of elegance to fall, and is a savory alternative to basic black. A deliciously warm camel tan, Nougat is tastefully embellished by Phlox, Emberglow or Honeysuckle. Orchid Hush, a unique tone of gray with complex orchid undertones, blends well with any other color in the palette. Quarry, a reliable medium gray, remains, as always, a practical, dependable staple.

Source: Pantone, Inc.

Menswear colors are slightly different.

Image source: Pantone, Inc.

Taking orange in a more masculine direction, Burnt Sienna serves as the standard, fall classic. Accent pieces including ties, scarves and pocket squares in this warm orange are a must. Providing men an alternative to Honeysuckle, Raspberry Wine has more sparkle than a merlot, making a statement with its vital red characteristics. The assemblage of Deep Teal, Cedar and Raspberry Wine is a spectacular composition.

Cadet, the perfect marriage of blue and gray, is another indisputable classic, serving as a dependable backbone that can be worn from season to season. Magical purple Phlox blooms against a neutral background of Nougat, Coffee Liqueúr and Quarry.

Source: Pantone, Inc.

I just love the way the colors are described! What do you think of the Fall 2011 colors? Love them? Not so much? What’s your favorite color from the collection? Leave a comment with your choice. Hmmm, should I bring this color palette to the ASG Chicago Fashion Show in October to see who’s on trend? 😉

Happy Spring, Happy Sewing!