By Marriam M Mossalli
We hope you have a sweet tooth because this spring it doesn’t get any sweeter than Honeysuckle — the new IT color of the season. The Pantone Color Institute, the “Anna Wintour” when it comes to color trends for fashion, has announced that Honeysuckle has been selected as this spring’s must-have color.
While last year’s official Pantone color of the year was turquoise (chosen for its calming effect), this season’s color is way more reinvigorating and refreshingly bold. Derived from the exotic cultures of Peru, India, Africa and Turkey, Honeysuckle is the perfect color to stimulate the start of the new year.
This reddish-pink shade was abundant on the red carpet and in New York’s Spring-Summer 2011 runways of Cynthia Steffe, Christian Siriano, Betsey Johnson, Catherine Malandrino, Charlotte Ronson, as well as others.
According to Pantone Color Institute Executive Director, Leatrice Eiseman, “In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits. Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going — perfect to ward off the blues.”
After some of the harshest winter conditions of the decade, the color chosen to denote energy and the essence of hope couldn’t have arrived at a better time.
Fresh Honeysuckle may top Pantone’s spring palette list of 2011, but the rest of the 10 colors are just as vibrant and exhilarating. The vivid sky-blue Regatta, warm orange Coral Rose, bright mustard-hued Beeswax and sea foamy Peapod round out the top five, while dusty turquoise Blue Curacao, Chocolate Brown, baby pink Silver Peon, pale purple Lavender, and light gray Silver Cloud make up the rest of the list.
“The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones,” explained Eiseman. “By cleverly combining complementary colors — those that are opposites on the color wheel — they have created a striking intensity in the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall, with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes.”
So, get ready for spring by shopping for Honeysuckle pieces and accessories. And, if you fall madly in love with this color — as we’re sure you will — don’t worry because even after 2011 is passed and gone, the color is still perfect for future springs and summers when paired with white. Designer James Mischka for the Badgley Mishcka line cautions though: “While the bright hue can be worn all year long, it doesn’t, however, pair well with black.” We’ll let you decide…
Indulge in the Drama