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The Colors of Spring 2011

2010 August 24
by CiciBianca

           

          

Happening soon will be the New York Show, Atelier, which I participate in.  For the Cici Bianca Spring 2011 line, my color inspiration  came from the paintings of French artist, Pierre Bonnard. Bonnard, known as a superb colorist, was a member of Les Nabis a group of Post Impressionist painters.  Drawing from his landscape and still life palettes, I used shades of blue, green, peach and yellow.  Working with those colors and their juxtapositions, resulted  in a dozen or so combinations I was able to build the line around.          

121 HT Cote d'Azure

   

His blues really inspired me – soft blues, vibrant blues, green blues, sky blues - some paired with maize, leaf, melon and bits of black – all make for interesting color combinations and add life to a wardrobe filled with neutrals.      

121 HT Lt Blue/Blk Tweed

117 HD Vista

          

          

I particularly love his use of muted orange, coral and peach.  These are soft and flattering colors that given the right shade, many can wear .          

117 HD Peachy

121 HT Pale Nude

          

          

Bonnard’s use of sharply contrasted colors as seen here in the painting “Woman with Dog”  inspired the jacket colors of “Maizy” and “Sapphire/Black” both of which can be worn casually with jeans or over that LBD.          

121 LL Maizy

117 F Sapphire Black

Universally loved, but often a hard sell in fashion, blue really is my pick for next Spring.   We’ll see if any of the buyers agree with me!     

           ”Color does not add a pleasant quality to design – it reinforces it.”  Pierre Bonnard     

  

 

2010′s Color of the Year – TURQUOISE

2010 July 20

 

 

Pantone's Turquoise

 

Last December PANTONE, the world-renowned authority on color announced that Turquoise was the color for 2010.  Even though we are halfway through the year, we are still seeing this shade everywhere.  According to Pantone, “Blue has long been considered America’s favorite color. This Turquoise is one of the brightest, cheeriest shades in the family.” 

  

 

  

  

 

  

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®, spoke of Turquoise and credited its connection to feelings of serenity, protection and luscious escapism.  “Through years of color word-association studies,” she said, “we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many — taking them to a tropical paradise. And who couldn’t use a bit of fantasy these days? ” Don’t we all agree??? 

  

  

Tracy Reese Style .com

Jill Stuart Style.com

  

Rochas Style.com

  

  

  

Amid all the Greys and Blacks in the Collections for Fall 2010, designers featured bits and pieces of Turquoise as item pieces or accessories in feminine shades of pale aqua to deep sophisticated teals. Turquoise is said to have more to do with feeling and creative expression than with rational thought.  Because it combines the light blue of the sky with the invigorating green of the seas it give the sensation of happiness and relaxation.

  

Petrol

My take on Turquoise for Fall was more subtle with variations of  Teal, Petrol and Slate.  Soft and earthy, this jacket works well with blacks, shades of charcoal and dark browns.

 

  

Missoni Style.com

Dsquared2 Style.com

Chanel Style.com

Designers have gone forward with Turquoise and are carrying through with the color for Resort 2011, adding brightness and life to their collections.  

 

Oh, the inspiration of beautiful turquoise water.  I could float in this for hours and just gaze at the sky.

Turquoise

 

This is what that enchanting water has inspired…  For Resort/Spring 2011 I have chosen this wonderful bright shade of Turquoise for the Cici Bianca  line.  Love this color – it is relaxing but fun and cheerful and overtly optimistic!  We’ll see if the buyers in Las Vegas and New York agree with me.

  

Tiffany & Co.

  

And as a final word…

Transcending all forecasts of color and style  is “Tiffany Blue” – one of the more iconic shades of Turquoise.  The color of this little blue box, the international symbol of style and sophistication, makes my heart (and many others ) beat just a little faster.  Ah… Turquoise… Beautiful…