Spring Summer 2012 Colour Direction

on 5/9/10

Deciphering the colour direction for Spring Summer 2012, The Trend Boutique aims to help you as students & graduates, make sense of the movement in colour between this & the last two seasons. When examining colour direction it is important to understand that Spring Summer colour palettes will always follow on from one another, whilst also taking additional direction from the previous Autumn Winter.

When putting together the colour palettes for the season we also look to what has been happening in previous seasons, whilst referencing what is happening within the major global trend agencies, mixed with the colour ranges put together by leading fabric & material specialists, plus accessing the major international trade fairs (such as Premiere Vision, Salone Internazionale del Mobile etc).

The Trend Boutique try to decode the confusing array of colours on offer to create an easy to follow colour direction for the season. Instead of bringing you 50+ colour ranges & endless harmonies, we provide you with the key colour references and thinking behind the colours.

For Spring Summer 2012 the key colour direction is:

Naturally Fresh Greens

For the last couple of seasons we have been talking about the importance of the colour green, and after an Autumn Winter where we saw dark bottle & sage greens within our 'Edwardian Green' colour palette, for Spring Summer 2011 we see a fresher, brighter feel as we once again take inspiration from nature.

Like the first shoots of Spring, this green orientated palette has a very new, & delicate feel to it. Slightly softer than the previous Spring Summer that had a wild array of references, this nature-inspired palette focusses on the harnessing & celebration of nature, especially the fruits of its labours. Mother Nature creates a wonderful source, as we look to soft greens, whites & 'butternut squash' oranges.

_{Naturally Fresh Greens Colour Palette - Spring Summer 2012

Note: Colours will look different according to screen & printer settings - please use Pantone references for exact colour matching.}

Desert Rose

With a softer, more feminine colour palette than the 'Heritage' or Middle-Eastern influenced colour palette of Spring Summer 2011 this direction has a lot more contrast & interest to it. Taking inspiration from the earthy desert tones, this colour palette has flashes of colour to add focus & a more upbeat feel. Look to the colour paltte of the Desert Rose mineral formations, as well as the flowering plant of the same name found in tropical Arabia & Africa.

Minerals, rock formations & the earth itself all provide sources of reference, however the intensity comes from those continuing African & Arabic influences. A key colour focal point will be the 'black gold' or 'stippled mineral gold' already seen in the Spring Summer 2011 cruise collection from Alexander McQueen. For a warmer, fun take try adding in 'flame' orange tones as seen in Christopher Kane's latest collection that has taken the solar system as its direction.

Desert Rose Spring Summer 2012 Colour Palette _{Desert Rose Colour Palette - Spring Summer 2012

Note: Colours will look different according to screen & printer settings - please use Pantone references for exact colour matching. Please note the 'Stippled Gold' is a finish - so no Pantone reference.}

Intense Spirit

Following on from the 'Austere' themes of the last two seasons, this sultry & tempestuous colour palette is inspired by those old colonial South American countries such as Cuba, Argentina & Columbia. The colour palette is still austere, & pared-down in its focus, however for Spring Summer 2012 it also has flashes of flamboyance & extravagance as we start to let ourselves once again enjoy life with renewed passion.

This theme also combines with the more intense aspects of the Autumn Winter 2011-12 'Folk' colour palette so has a simple, honest feel to it. Look to the worn, dramatic vistas often associated with this continent for inspiration, but don't forget to add the rugged passion & austere styling to provide depth and give this colour palette its new focus.
Spring Summer 2012 Colour Palette _{Intense Spirit Colour Palette - Spring Summer 2012

Note: Colours will look different according to screen & printer settings - please use Pantone references for exact colour matching.}

Glistening Aqua-blues

Our love of blue seems to show no sign of abating, for Spring Summer 2012 we move towards more turquoise tones as they take on softer, fresher aspects that we have seen associated with the greens over recent seasons. Whether using the lighter, airy sky blues through to the deeper, brighter marine blues it is important that they have more of a summery, carefree tone to them.

Use against florals or sketchy prints for a soft, fluid base colour or can be used with the 'Brand New Attitude' colour palette for an energised, & free-spirited approach.

Spring Summer 2012 Colour Palette _{Glistening Aqua-blues Colour Palette - Spring Summer 2012

Note: Colours will look different according to screen & printer settings - please use Pantone references for exact colour matching.}

Brand New Attitude

A fresh directional colour palette to welcome in the rise of the brand new. As we enter the final throes of the dressed head-to-toe vintage trend, we are seeing a sharper, younger aesthetic as we start to admire new products & fashion that helps us look forward. Eco-credentials come as a 'given' to these new brands & products, and we may still throw in the odd piece of second-hand to add authenticity, although this will not be the main focus as we enter a shiny new world.

It's now an opportunity to let the amazing array of young designers & artists have their chance. We see the D-I-Y spirit continuing & gaining momentum from the 'Folk' & 'Function' trends of last season, however they have a got a fun, über-new approach to them, why do we need to look to the past when we have so much to look forward to.

Spring Summer 2012 Colour Palette _{Brand New Attitude Colour Palette - Spring Summer 2012

Note: Colours will look different according to screen & printer settings - please use Pantone references for exact colour matching.}

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