As a thumb rule, the trends seen in fast-fashion stores and on the streets actually trickle down from the runways. For fashion designers and forecasters, the collections showcased on runways help them source information and analyze which colours and palettes will dominate the coming season. This autumn, it will be about mixing the typical tried-and-true fall colours with some unexpected hues to boast of an on-trend wardrobe. While Radiant Orchid was named Pantone’s colour of the year for 2014, this fall’s Marsala focuses on traditional seasonal hues and jewel tones. For women, think burnt orange, cobalt blue, mustard yellow, and various shades of green; even base shades like ivory, taupe, grey and black-and-white combinations will be popular. As for men, the colour story revolves around deep burgundy, forest green, mustard and hues of dark brown. Trend Analysts at FFT round-up the five strongest shades for Fall/Winter ’15…
Bare Brown
A favoured colour choice of the ’70s for fashion and home décor, conjures up images of Nature’s greatest elements: rich garden soil, textured tree bark, and the edges of golden-coloured autumn leaves. Brown in all its forms is an inspiring colour for A/W ’15/16, be it in natural earthy shades or the contemporary technical tones. Shades of violet, bright pink and orange can be added to rich chocolate and caramel tones for a new colour statement. Brown makes for classic outerwear and accessories for accents. One could also see the influence of this shade in the beauty segment as a move on from nude tones – think that the ’90s throwback was updated for today’s modern consumer. Rich browns take the role of both; a staple and a fashion statement with much ease.
Violet Tulip
There is always a need for a palette that does not consume everything and includes lighter shades to complement the heavier and deeper ones. Traditionally, it is the colour of luxury and passion, of princely robes and papal vestments, dazzling gems and florid prose. Violet for the coming fall season combines several hues that range from palest blue/lilac to the brightest Parma Violet, so it provides for the pastel and powdery palettes as well as for something bright that lifts the darker shades. This shade should be used tonally for maximum impact and it teams up with black accents very well. Colour-blocking the tones can be experimented for a day-time appeal and berry-hued satin for an opulent evening ensemble.
Moss Green
Green is going to be in prominence in many high-fashion collections, with darker shades of olive, bottle, khaki, pine and hunter green proving to be the most popular as designers display their versions of military. A colour that is continually underrated and underappreciated, people find the hue difficult to successfully integrate into their looks with ease. But aided by the popularity of prints and patterns, specifically camouflage, perhaps A/W ’15 is the season where this changes, and green finally becomes a modern wardrobe mainstay. Separates are the go-to option for this colour as beautiful forest green suits, which came in both single- and double-breasted cuts were present, in addition to green outerwear, tailoring and military/camouflage influences.
Dusk Berry
The berry palette is less upbeat this fall and observes a darker and more luxurious approach. Last Fall/Winter, burgundy was the new colour to come, still unexplored – deep reds, burgundy and oxblood being a rich and luxe trend. Right now, berry tones are still slightly on the pink side, treated with high key lighting, and there is a soft and slightly romantic feel – very feminine and gentle. There will be a clear shift towards darker backgrounds, a bit moody and misty. It starts getting a lot darker in any sense with a touch of decay. Fabrics such as velvet, silk and leather look the best when they embrace this trend, which is also a reminder of the Pantone colour of the year – Marsala.
White Wash
White is the classic colour that never goes out of fashion. While other colours come and go, white is always in trend. White shirts may cut it out for Spring but Fall demands all outerwear and separates to be white. It seems like an appropriate treatment for any collection in January to detoxify from busy clashing graphic prints and the saturated colour pops that surround summer outfits. Organizing a wardrobe white-out will not only provide a mental overhaul but even a physical one. From a statement coat to a fluffy fur shrug to wide-legged pants – these staples are mandatory as well as experimentation with textures, think leather, tweed, wool and layering, to keep the final ensemble looking sharp.
