Fashion Color Report Spring 2014

Designers take a modern twist on the traditional for spring 2014 by pairing soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium. Inspired by a mixture of blooming flowers, travels abroad and strong, confident women, designers use color to refresh, revive and defy conventional wisdom.

"This season, consumers are looking for a state of thoughtful, emotional and artistic equilibrium," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "While this need for stability is reflected in the composition of the palette, the inherent versatility of the individual colors allows for experimentation with new looks and color combinations."

Three very adaptable pastels sit on one end of the palette, and, because we are so accustomed to seeing them as nature's background, they can be creatively combined with any other color in the spectrum. Placid Blue, like a picture-perfect, tranquil and reassuring sky, induces a sense of peaceful calmness, while Violet Tulip, a romantic, vintage purple, evokes wistful nostalgia. Similar to the verdant shade of springtime foliage, Hemlock, a summery, ornamental green, provides a decorative touch that's very different from the greens of recent seasons. Pair any of these versatile pastels with a bolder hue for an au courant look.

Sand, a lightly toasted and amiable neutral, conjures images of the beach and the carefree days of summer. Try pairing Sand with Hemlock for perfect, natural balance. Paloma serves as a quintessential neutral, interesting enough to be worn alone or combined with any color for sophisticated poise.

Cayenne, a high-pitched red, adds a dash of spicy heat to neutrals, and heightens the excitement when mixed with Freesia, a blazing yellow that is sure to illuminate wardrobes this season. A tropical, floral-inspired shade, Freesia's warmth and energy help set the stage for Celosia Orange, an optimistic, spontaneous hue. Pair Celosia Orange with Violet Tulip for a captivating vision, much like the setting summer sun.

The palette is brought full circle with Radiant Orchid, a bold counterpart to Violet Tulip, and Dazzling Blue,a scintillating, polar opposite to Placid Blue. Surprisingly, these strong, vibrant colors also pair well across the palette: They are perfect companions to pastels, and add confidence and vivacity when mixed with other bold colors.

For more than 20 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2014.

Fashion Trends Cape Town Fashion Week

Cape Town Fashion Week always serves up a host of fun trends to try and this spring, thankfully, they were oh-so-wearable. From statement-making prints to cool new colour combos, discover tons of new outfit ideas for the warm-weather season ahead. Trust us, you’ll find something you just can’t wait to put on Any fashionista worth her salt in Jimmy Choos would have known that a few weeks ago was the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Cape Town 2012. The CTICC (which has played host to the event every year thus far) was a veritable melting pot of fashion purveyors… And I do so love to take in the incredible imagination that goes into the outfits of attendees each year; it’s as if for one sweet week Cape Town ignores its dress-down code. But more importantly I am looking to four collections from the week for a bit of colour inspiration this morning. I thoroughly loved and enjoyed KLuK cgdt’s showing which was held off site at the Cape Town City Hall and was entitled “bedtime stories”. Models sashayed to familiar tunes from beloved Disney movies. The collection featured signature lace (and lots of it!) as well as a delicious selection of bright blues, yellows, greens and pinks. Jenni Le Roux of Habits followed up last year’s colourful showing – this time in the form of lots of floaty, floral digital print dresses with an assortment of berry colours in the collection. I think my favorite look of the evening had to be the scarlet lace body suit with contrast collar and sun-ray pleated skirt – too beautiful. Gavin Rajah’s collection was bang on trend with a distinctive “New Oriental” look to the pieces this is a massive trend emerging in both fashion and interiors at the moment. I loved the use of rose, orange and ebony and ivory throughout. David Tale’s showing was a masterful experiment in white and I honestly cannot fault him in any regard; to my mind the styling is impeccable and the combinations inspired. And then one of my favorite young designers from the new guard, Michelle Ludik, flounced down the runway in some absolutely delicious brightness in strong geometric lines and accessory shapes. I loved the neon pops against the neutrals and the perennial favourite combination of coral and electric blue. What can I say Cape Town Fashion can compete with the best around the world!!!

Winter Collection

Staying Warm and fashionable this winter will be as easy as 123 with our new winter collection.