Green is the *new green* for Spring 2013, with Tender Shoots announcing the first signs of the season in a beautiful yellow-gree hue, with subtle shadings of hushed Grayed Jade & light/airy Linen and not-so-subtle splashes of lively Sophisticated Emerald. Exotic African Violet brings a touch of
intrigue to the palette and versatility - given the way purples lend themselves to so many different & unexpected combinations - such as Poppy Red, Nectarine, or Lemon Zest. And at the end of this tutti-frutti colored day, Dusk Blue gives way to inky Monaco Blue.
In other words, Fashion's spring season strongly resembles the one designed by Mother Nature.
According to the color experts at Pantone, this dynamic - yet harmonious - palette represents a similar tension in our own lives as we back away from extremes in favor of renewal and self-expression. "The expression 'balancing act' is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. "The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season's color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement."
As an aside, with this laser-like focus on harmony, renewal and all things green...including the fact the lead-off sketch in the Pantone Color Report was a vibrant emerald green (a Tracy Reese sketch - scroll down), can we maybe make a lil' prediction about the Color of the Year for 2013? Hmmm? Why not don your own Detective Cap & see what you think: here is an overview of the Pantone of the Year Colors for 2000-2011 & 2012, a groovy orange called Tangerine Tango.
Tangerine trees & marmalade skies ... they bring back memories of the wildly-expressive and botanically-nicknamed Flower Children of the 60s, which inspired Peter Som. The "signature" hue of his Spring '13 collection was muted jade green. "It’s a new pastel that has strength," he explains about the soft & dreamy shade. "The world has enough challenges to keep us pretty busy - a little time to dream is OK." Rachel Roy similarly went the dream/green route, but gravitated toward a brighter, more chartreuse version (Tender Shoots) because of its element of surprise: "The emotional experience of an unexpected dreamland — a world where a whimsical feminine spirit toys with the idea of punk couture, creating ultimate freedom where fantasy becomes a modern reality." (Translation: a capsleeve jacket with a peplum waist in a groovy shade of limeai & worn with everything you own.) "Everyone is sick of hearing about the bad conditions globally, the economy, etc.," adds David Meister, who advises cheering things up by wearing brights, brights & more brights (perhaps a little sumpin' sumpin' in his signature Tangerine shade for spring?). "Fashion should be uplifting and make people feel good and smile."
(TO LOOK AT THIS IMAGE AT FULL SIZE, JUST CLICK ON IT.)
- Lesley Scott
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