Top 10 Fashion Colors for Spring 2009
From Zesty Lemon and Lime to Vibrant Green, Blue and Fuchsia
Sep 21, 2008
Traditionally spring fashion is a time for blossoms and brights — the chance for fashion designers to break away from the grays and earthy colors of fall and winter and add a touch of freshness and light.
This September, Spring 2009 colors from the runways have a decidedly fruity feel, with lemon and citrus lime, papaya and mango. Yellow continues to make its mark on the world of fashion, with an uplifting, zesty Super Lemon.
Pantone’s Top 10 Colors for Spring 2009
Pantone, the fashion world's king of color has released the design industry 's Pantone’s Fashion Color Report for Spring 2009™ (Volume 30, September 2008). This features the top 10 women's fashion colors that will be predominant for spring summer 2009 and have proved inspirational for designers.
“New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.
An Overview of Spring Colors
One particular aspect, in the light of the current credit crunch is the introduction of some sophisticated hues to calm, such Rose Dust and Slate Gray, with its restful blue undertone. Such shades provide some welcome psychological stability in these unstable economic times.
The lilacy-blues of fall 2008 make a welcome return in the guise of lavender, with a bright vibrant Palace Blue being a strong influence, darker than sky blue and less harsh than a cobalt blue. Pink in all its shades continues to be a firm favorit, from fuchsia to rose.
There are 3 greens, each with a palette personality of their own. From a citrus lime to calming Lucite to vibrant green, the quintessential spring hue.
Why is the Pantone Color Report So Important?
Pantone is the most widely recognized color standard in the world, and is used as a tool for the fashion industry. Every year at New York Fashion Week it surveys designers and collects feedback on the most prominent color collections.
Pantone puts together a report which is used as a source of reference for fashion retailers, journalists and fashionistas. The Pantone Fashion Color Report ™ features the top 10 colors in women’s fashion for each season, along with designer sketches, quotes and headshots. Pantone’s 29 page report can be viewed online or downloaded in PDF format.
Summary of Spring Colors
A summary of the top Spring 2009 colors to be found in the report are:
The Blue Hues
- Palace Blue — a favorite amongst designers which takes a navy undertone and makes it sparkle. A cross between a sky blue and strong navy. This is a color which works with almost any other, pink, yellow, lavender or green.
- Lavender — the regal purple of fall has been adapted to a softer lighter lilac, feminine and romantic, and slightly mystical.
- Rose Dust — a pale pinky blue, which is a welcome break from traditional neutrals. Almost a white-washed lavender, this is one of the coolest colors.
- Slate Gray — a cool and calming nuanced neutral which provides a backdrop to any of Pantone’s 9 other colors and is a perfect pairing to lavender hues.
The Red Hues
- Fuchsia Red –—Vibrant yet seductive, powerful and robust. Fresh and dazzling, fuchsia features heavily in nail polish and lipsticks too.
- Salmon Rose — Mixing a soft salmon pink with the subtleness of oranges which is flattering to most complexions and gives a warm healthy glow.
The Green Hues
- Vibrant Green — a mossy mid-green which is bright but not harsh
- Dark Citron — a calm, almost olive color which blends perfectly with this season’s lemon tones.
- Lucite Green — a clean, subtle, soft green which adds a slight shimmer
Yellow
- Super Lemon — brings a fun, optimistic outlook to the Palette,” states the Pantone Spring 2009 report. “Its luminosity is determined to evoke a smile and attract the roving consumer’s eyes.”
Colors and Prints on the Spring Runways
New York Fashion Week and London previewed the emergence of more tropical fruit-like colors such as papaya and mango, with their macaw-esque blues and greens. Emerging spring trends see neutral nudes as strong, and black conspicuously absent from both the shows.
Designers on both sides of the pond also showcased their collections with lively-colored romantic computer generated prints, playful polka dots and the exotic parrot-like prints.
For the latest top 10 colors for Fall 2009 straight from the runways of New York Fashion Week click here.
