Understanding Color Fashion Design

Impact of Color Symbols Temperature Movement Mood

What is Color? Light is the source of all color Pigments absorb some light rays and reflect others

Color Wheel Primary Colors – Red – Yellow – Blue – All other colors are made of these

Color Wheel Secondary Colors – Orange – Violet – Green – Made up of equal amounts of primary colors

Color Wheel Intermediate Colors – Red-orange – Red-violet – Blue-violet – Blue-green – Yellow-green – Yellow-orange – Made up of equal amounts of primary and secondary

Color Variations Value: lightness or darkness Tint: white has been added Shade: black has been added Intensity: brightness or dullness

Cool vs. Warm Cool – Blues – Greens Warm – Reds – Yellows

Personal Coloring Skin tones – Yellow, gold or peach cast has warm undertones – Blue or pink trace indicates cool undertones Seasonal approach What season are you?

Color Effects….. Body Shape – Increase size White Warm hues Light values High intensities – Decrease size Black Cool hues Dark shades Low intensities Height – Single color makes you look taller Emphasis – Contrasting belt makes center of attention