One thing stood out immediately at the S/S ’17 shows: a strong use of colours – and they’re not the typical upbeat, summery fare. Think a fiery orange-red seen at the likes of Celine and Givenchy, or a Kermit-like green (fresh without being zesty) at Valentino, Y/Project and Fenty x Puma.
The trend hasn’t gone unnoticed, with many hues singled out in Pantone’s latest Fashion Color Report, which charts the runway’s most popular colours. On the organisation’s website, executive director Leatrice Eiseman says: “One of the things we saw was a renewed sense of imagination in which colour was appearing in context that was different from the traditional.”
Which brings us to the question: Just what do we call these “new” hues? Now, go back to the basics of the colour wheel. The historical primary hues are red, blue and yellow. Then come the secondaries – a combination of two primary colours (for example, purple is a mix of red and blue).
This season’s bold new wave of colours sit within the next tier, the tertiary. A blend of a primary and secondary hue, these in-between shades tend to go by differing names. More common examples include vermilion (red-orange) and chartreuse (yellow-green).
They’re also more fluid. Depending on the proportion of the mix, they can be further divided within the family. Pink Yarrow, one of Spring’s most popular hues, is in fact a strand of the “classic” tertiary colour magenta (red-purple).
Here, the five It hues to know – and the buys to match.
#1: Primrose Yellow
A honeyed shade of yellow meant to invoke the warmth of sunny days (and can’t help but remind us of Pikachu, which might explain why it’s youthful too). Even the monochrome-loving Rick Owens fell to its charm, using it on sculptural yet ethereal maxi gowns.
#2: Flame
An intensely saturated red-orange, it’s a refreshingly modern alternative to Chinese New Year scarlet.
#3: Niagara
Number one on Pantone’s latest Fashion Color Report. Like the blue of classic denim – rich yet soothing – it’s also easier to pull off than its flashy counterparts on the list.
#4: Greenery
Think green apples – or Kermit – with a yellowish base that reveals traces of chartreuse. As Pantone’s Eiseman says of Spring’s hottest colours, they’re “reminiscent of the hues… in nature”.
#5: Pink Yarrow
It may be a look-at-me shade, but is still more toned down with its slight berry tone as compared to, say, Elsa Schiaparelli’s famous shocking pink. An outstanding flush, it turned up everywhere from Valentino to Hermes.
Runway photos: Showbit.com
This story first appeared in Female’s February 2017 issue.
Like this? Check out this Instagrammer that reimagines Singapore landscapes as Pantone colours, fuschia pink is the It colour to be seen in now, and why yellow is the next Spring/Summer 2017 colour to add to your wardrobes.
