Do you wonder how color trends start?

Color trends are not created by random people in attic rooms. Color trends are actually established by international color forecasting organizations. These groups create color palettes, color direction and forecasts annually to the design industry.   Manufacturers look and rely on these forecasts for their company direction and sales success. These color associations actually forecast color direction and trends with remarkable accuracy!

CMG (Color Marketing Group) is one of these groups responsible for choosing the direction of color and design trends. They help translate the trends into salable colors for manufacturers.  This international group has over 1000 members from 20 different countries and forecast color trends eighteen months or more in advance to manufacturers.

Pantone, Inc has been a renowned authority on color for more than 45 years. They have been inspiring design professionals and the industry for years.  What I did not realize about Pantone was that in 1963 the founder, Lawrence Herbert, developed a standardized color reproduction system that revolutionized the color trend world.  His insight that the color spectrum is seen and interpreted differently by each individual led him to develop the Pantone Matching System, a book of standardized color in fan format.  By standardizing the colors, different manufacturers in different locations and industries can now refer to the Pantone system and be assured that all colors will match.  (Now I understand that it is not a pure “coincidence” that my new bed sheets and new dress are exactly the same new hot color for the season!)

Every season designers wait for Pantone to publish their Fashion Color Report, announce their new seasonal palette and “Color of the Year.”  This year Pantone announced Honeysuckle as the “Color of the Year.  We will see this color in everything.  Clothes, shoes, jewelry, bedding, nail polish and yes even a Pantone Visa Card will be sporting this color!  Pantone has described this new color as encouraging, uplifting and one that will instill confidence, courage and spirit in times of stress.

Sounds like a color we should all be wearing.

Debbie Correale, Redesign Right, LLC     www.redesignright.com