It’s unquestionably your choice whether or not to pay attention to the color trend forecasts released by CMG (Color Marketing Group) and Pantone, Inc. I personally find them interesting, and at least worth reading. If I decide not to follow them, at least I’ll know what to rebel against.
Some information about fashion trends has been removed from the content below in an effort to focus more on color and graphic design. Much of it overlapped so I kept parts when I felt it was relevant.
Here’s what Pantone, Inc., has to say about color trends and forecasts for Fall/Winter 2005/06:
For next winter season, it’s all about mixing and developing interesting contrast. Think differently and use saturated colors as anchors, spicing them up with terrestrial darks, toning them down with muted neutrals and kicking them up with warm and cool contrasts. The key is to experiment with color to create different moods and attitudes.
The past comes alive once again in Europe as two distinctive looks emerge, retro-vintage and the deconstructed styling that is now being borrowed from the 1980’s designers from Belgium and Japan. For women, the idea of femininity is taking on a more realistic look, which now emphasizes pretty fabrics and styling, but not overly frilly or a look reminiscent of the Stepford Wives. For men, it was about remix by using dress-up elements for both the office and lay.
Les Colour
The overall range evokes a dynamic dialogue and synergy between both soft and audacious color. There are no longer specific ranges of color but rather a collection of shades that range from light and neutral to dark and saturated. For next winter season, it’s all about mixing and developing interesting contrast. Think differently and use saturated colors as anchors, spicing them up with terrestrial darks, toning them down with muted neutrals and kicking them up with warm and cool contrasts. The key is to experiment with color to create different moods and attitudes for clothing. Remember, it’s not just about one look and feel but rather a diverse mix of lifestyles.
Here’s what CMG has to say about 2006 Consumer color Directions:
Warm, Clear and Bright Colors Lead 2006 Forecast
Alexandria, VA, USA - Colors for 2006 will be warmer, clearer and brighter, according to the color designers at Color Marketing Group (www.colormarketing.org). Reddened oranges will replace coppery hues; yellows will gain importance; blues will dramatically recede; and complex neutrals will add sophistication and luxury to the 2006 Consumer Color Palette.
The color professionals at CMG identified these six key influences driving the 2006 Color Directions:
Techno-Organic Balance - Consumers want to find a balance in their lives between the influences of nature and the pace of technological advance. They order their lives and base purchase decisions on this new, somewhat surreal balance.
Breathing Space - Consumers want fulfilled and rewarding lives despite the demands of work and society. To this end, they seek serenity and calm in a space that is insulated from common daily stresses and emerging threats to safety, both in public and private.
Heritage with Heart - However clearly consumers remember the past, they sense a need to reconnect with it. Hope and optimism filter memories of past events, ensuring that this nostalgic journey is warm and comforting. The focus is on positive times; struggles are forgotten.
Hybrid - The synthesis of cultural norms pervades the environment. Society has evolved beyond fusion in foods, fashion and design. Now, hybrid households and communities are entering the mainstream. The move to Hybridization occurs in parallel with geopolitical and economic events and is a product t of the proliferation of global unification in communications, transportation, manufacturing and services. Although Hybridization is generally accepted by consumers, it offers a sharp contract to the comfort of the predictable past.
Ãœber Luxury - As extravagance becomes accessible to the masses, there is a need to identify icons or symbols that convey a new level of status and sophistication. In response, icons of sophisticated craftsmanship and rare materials with high polish and burnished finishes will emerge. In fashion, Ãœber Luxury takes on a classic feminine style that drives decision-making and brings power to women. In the home, Ãœber Luxury is defined a masculine, clean simple and elegant.
Color Depth - Consumers seek bold colors and luminous materials that add glow and fluidity in product executions. Visually stimulating chromatic textures yield high—energy interest and excitement.
These six influences translate to 30 new 2006 Color Directions identified across six industries:
Action/Recreation
Chillin’ - Versatile accent from the carefree elements of nature allows all of us to Breathe. A warm clear blue for all sporting seasons.
Fresh - This coastal color brings vitality to active escape products.
Smiley - This interpretation of primary yellow complements action colors in all activities.
Sweet - Gender-bending pink asserts youth and power. This is a neo pink for all seasons as a main color event.
Toxic - This youthful interpretation of avocado creates a high energy addition and complements most base colors with cross gender application.
Consumer Goods
Diamante Silver - Consumer Goods turns to Technology for this new metallic with lighter and brighter attributes.
Ignorange - This Hybrid color modifies traditional orange based on Asian and Indian influences.
Night Sky - High chroma and low value in this violet to black magic color harken to our changing atmosphere.
Sona - With various golden hues and finishes connoting Luxury around the world, this color builds a consensus for all cultures.
Tech-Tile - This color revives bronze with warmth and femininity.
Home
Asian Rose - A multi-cultural Home color with both Heritage and Heart.
Bliss - This color emphasizes Ãœber-Luxury and Heritage with Heart.
Decoesque - This color is a less abrasive interpretation of both green and blue. Based in nature, this color is cultivated by both Heritage and Hybrid influences.
Elemental Gray - Underscored by the popularity of fantasy, this dark neutral is mysterious and futuristic.
Flemish Gold - Luxury and Hybrid influences give birth to this new Home color for use across all markets.
Visual Communications
Electric Mud - Visual Communications is stuck on this deep rich brown based on the meeting of Technology and Nature.
Hottie - Summer is welcomed year round with this cool, high impact color. The embodiment of Color Depth, no one can miss what this color has to say!
Stealth - The serenity of Breathing Space is modulated by Technology influences.
Teal Zeal - A cross of blue and green, this calming color is based in nature and balance.
Yolk - This new color eggs on standards consensus for safety needs around the world.
Transportation
Burlesque - A Luxury color recognized by cultures around the world as a symbol of wealth as well as sexuality.
Georgian Bay - Transportation balances the blue and green of both Technology and Organics for a fresh clean color sparked by silver fleck.
Mission Mars - The NASA Mars mission brings this color to earth with youth and fashion.
Obi - Transportation brings this rich saturated brown to differentiate the Ãœber Luxury world from growing mass extravagance. Heritage notes from rare dyes and aged woods help to elevate this color for the ultra wealthy.
Trumped - Transportation brings us metallic silver tinted with brown to create a neutral beige juxtaposing comfort and Technology, moving us into a simpler life.
Fashion
Cybernatural - Technology slows down based on Heritage with this new Fashion direction.
Lapis - Crowds will cheer for this favorite Fashion blue enhanced by Techno-effects for surprise and luminosity.
Orange You Glad! - This high-energy color with glow and power embodies Color Depth. This Fashion color offers movement and fluidity to drive consumers to say, “I need it!”
Phosphorice - Discreet Luxury and cyber technology based on chemistry, gadgets, and liquid crystal screens provide the platform to create this new Fashion color.
Re-Vamp - A return of classic elements with the illusion of depth and mystery. Techno-special effects translate this Fashion color from its Heritage base to today.
Color Marketing Group (CMG), founded in 1962 and based in Alexandria, Virginia, USA, is an international, not-for-profit Association of 1,300 Color Designers. Color Designers are professionals who enhance the function, salability and/or quality of a product through their knowledge and appropriate application of color. CMG members forecast Color Directions one to three years in advance for all industries, manufactured products and services. These Consumer/Residential and Contract/Commercial products include: Transportation, Visual Communications, Technology, Home, Consumer Goods, Juvenile Products, Fashion and Action/Recreation.
