Whether one works in the fashion industry, is a hair colorist or any kind of designer, color is key. And every season has its trends.
As Harpers Bazaar points out, the “best hair colors for Summer 2015” are “rich, impactful…and one-dimensional”. This Summer’s shades include Copper Red, Chestnut Red, Strawberry Red, Monotonal Brunette and Caramel Blonde.
But, if we are talking color, one has to go to the “authority” – Pantone – which pronounced “Marsala, a naturally robust and earthy wine red, as the Color of the Year for 2015“.
In its Fall 2015 report, Pantone calls attention to what it terms “an evolving color landscape”, stating: “This season displays an umbrella of accord that weaves earthy neutrals with a range of bold color statements and patterns to reflect a landscape of hope, fun, fantasy and all things natural.” Included are such fantasy-inducing color names as Dried Herb, Desert Sage, Stormy Weather and Reflecting Pond.
Earlier this year, Pantone, Illumination Entertainment and Universal Partnerships & Licensing announced the creation of an official new PANTONE Color, Minion Yellow, based on the Minions from the “Despicable Me” global film franchise, including the upcoming prequel “Minions”, opening in theaters July 10, 2015. The press release stated: “The development of PANTONE Minion Yellow, marks the first time in the global color authority’s history that a color has been created and named after a character.”
But what is the psychology of color? What role does culture play? Why does a certain color elicit a specific mood? What meanings lie in color? Why is red perceived to be emotionally intense? Why is blue said to be “peaceful and tranquil” but can also be “cold and depressing”?
House Beautiful’s slide show on “Color Meanings – and How to Use Them in Your House” points out that “PINK: OPENS THE HEART – Gentle and soothing, pink is the color of love. It promotes tenderness and is a comfort in times of emotional transition. Use it in a room when you are trying to increase receptivity and understanding. Try a pink lampshade, table runner or just a glass of rosé wine.”
From a business perspective, too, color is vital. The International Colour Authority mentions that “color comes before style and price, and is the first factor to which the customer responds.” Or, as the Color Association of the U.S.states, “Our mission is to capture and deliver color value to businesses and educators and empower color conscious decisions”.
So next time you find yourself responding to a particular shade or hue, explore that emotional message. Better yet, experiment with choosing the colors that you wear or decorate with according to the response you hope to elicit!