The Spirit of the Autumn/Winter 2009/2010 Season

Pantone Fashion Color Report Fall 2009. According to the Pantone© Color Trend Report, subtle contrasts make up the diverse palette for fall 2009. This season, designers play with a broad spectrum of color resulting in distinct, yet cohesive combinations. Like a painter's palette, fall 2009 offers choice and diversity, but the unexpected integration of colors is what makes it so appealing.

A natural choice during uncertain times, patriotic American Beauty, a wonderfully balanced, true red, speaks to the need for cohesiveness. Perfect for all skin tones, American Beauty is a feel-good color. Purple Heart connotes a sense of refinement and sensuality, adding an air of creativity and excitement to the top 10, especially when paired with American Beauty.

A warmer, more subdued Honey Yellow carries the 2009 color of the year, PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa, through to fall and winter with its golden tones. Pairing Honey Yellow with its color wheel opposite, Purple Heart, will surely add a surprising flair. Or, for a more typical fall combination, group Honey Yellow with Burnt Sienna and Iron.

Strong yet understated Iron serves as the "new black," making traditional basics much more interesting. Neither gray nor brown, Iron is a grounding color that coordinates well with all colors in the palette. Crème Brûlée, a grayed-down beige, and Nomad, which bridges the gap between beige and light gray, also speak to the need for timeless neutrals. All three classics can stand alone or serve as anchors when paired with other colors.

Fall would not be complete without a seasonal favorite like Burnt Sienna, a deepened, earthy shade of orange, reminiscent of an autumn sunset. Pair this versatile hue with Nomad and Rapture Rose for a different twist. Adding spark to the fall palette, Rapture Rose artfully captures the vibrancy of fuchsia and the softness of pink. Underscored by nurturing and feminine tones, Rapture Rose enlivens the more traditionally subdued fall hues. Look for it in cosmetics as well as clothing and accessories.

Like the olive in a martini, Warm Olive, a rich yellow-green, adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to fall. When combined, this tangy, intriguing hue makes all other colors come alive. Look for it paired with Majolica Blue, a deep, mysterious teal blue with more vibrancy than the usual navy. Majolica Blue brings an exotic flair to the group, especially when paired with Burnt Sienna or Purple Heart.

American Beauty - Pantone 19-1759	Purple Heart - Pantone 18-3520	Honey Yellow - Pantone 16-1143	Iron - Pantone 18-1306	Burnt Sienna - Pantone 17-1544
Nomad - Pantone 16-1212	Rapture Rose - Pantone 17-1929	Warm Olive - Pantone 15-0646	Majolica Blue - Pantone 19-4125

Tinged Neutrals	Gatherings
Michelle Lamb titled her fresh neutral’s “Chameleon Neutrals” and both titles are apropos. Neutrals at market had gray/brown and even blue and violet tinges. Some changed shades depending on viewing angle or lighting. These weren’t your typical 80’s oatmeal’s and beige's. Because we in the interiors market are closely tied to fashion, it is interesting to watch what is going on in that market. Women’s Wear Daily listed hottest 10 colors, number one was “Iron”, a practical yet rich color of black/brown/charcoal gray. OPI cosmetics are always a good color barometers. A ‘best seller’ for fall/holiday is "You Don't Know Jacques", a beautiful charcoal gray/brown neutral.	Gathering has African/Tribal influences and was described in the Pantone Press Release as exotic, yet sophisticate
Green Market	Pastiche
With everything going green, why not Fashion Colors? Urban Farmers, maybe, great cuisine and style Aren´t we all dreaming about that country home in a serene landscape? (Living there might be another issue...)	Influenced clearly by Asia, Japanese anime and Manga comics, pastiche pairs unexpected color combinations and clever contrasts. The colors work well in our ceramic beads with enamel and make me think of Miami Beach or the Caribbean.

Click here to download the Complete Pantone© Fashion Color Forecast for Fall 2009

Colours
A precious range inspired by the brilliance of raw gemstones. Baroque pearls, amethysts, tinted quartz.
Beauty
The gradated palette favors water colored and moiré effects in liquid blue-green tones. Tied-up, crimped, very long and dense, pulled back and worked in complex volumes… hairstyles are spectacular and represent abundant vegetation.
Materials
Silky, fluid fabrics: chiffon, crêpe, silk pongee, light satin
Heavy-draping panne velvet
Shot effects: moiré, metalized, vibrant surfaces
Coatings and prints for damp, aqueous aspects
Precious weaves and cloths: damasks, Jacquards, lace or embroidery effects
Fringed effects evoking animal hair
Key Women’s Products
Long, supple coats in shearling
Wide cotton sateen fatigues, wide multi-dart pants, cropped crinkled linen/polyester pants
Soft, loose, enveloping, diaphanous knits. Loose jersey tops.
Layers: short jersey knits to wear over ultra-fluid dresses, skirts and pants
Ultra-supple lambskin coats and jackets
Fishermen’s capes and parkas. Coated, oiled cotton plain weaves
Key Men’s Products
Fishermen’s jackets: long, enveloping, with drawstring and belt plays
“Anointed” pants: oilskin aspects
Zipped blousons in heavy-gauge knits, heavy cables or ribbed knits
XXL volume coats, worn oversized
Maxi heavy-gauge cardigans: extra-long, cabled, worn as a coat
Sinuous knits: new cables and ribs in marled knits
Accessories
Women: pleated gloves, python-printed leggings, insect jewelry, open ankle boots, daywear purses, tied, gathered bags
Men: fishermen’s style boots, colored rubber rainboots, rainboots in a Doc Martens spirit, multi-pocket slouch bags in a Barbour spirit

Colours
A dark, shady range in a variety of inky tones. Touches of color electrify the palette. And to tone it all down: white and taupy or grayed shades.
Beauty
Experimental, audacious make-up borrows from Dadaism, typography and photo-montage.
Two palettes co-exist: the first explores paper, whiteness and material effects, while the second, darker range is inspired by ink, pencil, charcoal and graphite.
Materials
Men’s supple, ultra-fine worsted wools in the spirit of Savile Row tailors
Stripes used with subtlety: discreet banker’s stripes, stippled chalk stripes, tuxedo pants emphasized with a band of tone-on-tone satin. A graphic spirit borrowed from the wide stripes of club ties or men’s satin waistcoats
Fluid fabrics, heavily drapey silks: crêpe, crêpe georgette, chiffon
Delicate lace and embroidered tulles
Jacquards and tapestry-style weaves are inspired by the elaborate covers of old books
Key Women’s’ Products
Redingote-coats. Short 2-in-1 jackets (jacket + waistcoat). Little men’s waistcoats.
Cigarette-legged pants and darted cropped pants.
Striped shirts or with plastrons, shirttails, with scarves and lavallières.
Cardigans. With tailored collars, belted, Jacquard
Oversized jackets
Skintight miniskirts in stretch cotton with rock details: zips, buckles, insets
Lace tops and dresses.
Key Men’s Products
Tuxedo spirit, fitted cuts, in a sportswear mood
Short coats in little English checks, basket weaves, tweed. Duffle-coats
Historical military coats: engraved ball buttons and double-breasted
Prints: checks and flowers for hunting jackets, waistcoats and tapered pants.
Riding jackets, short, buttoned and fitted.
Accessories
Women: lambskin gloves. Textile shoes, decorated pumps, with patent or gimped and perforated toes. Material mixes for bags: skins, crocodile, and natural leather
Men: caps inspired by riding hats. Tartan ties. Military and riding boots. Checked Borsalinos.