Color in Fashion Chapter 9, Clothing, Fashion, Fabrics & Construction

Human eye sees 6-7 million colours Figure 9.4, 9.5 Colour is used in fashion by the buyer, co-ordinator, designer, fashion writer or consultant Colour and Clothing Out of all the design elements of fashion; line, shape, texture, space, We notice COLOUR first. When you understand colour, you can choose the best colour for YOU Designers often pick colour as an integral element of their collection

Things colour can do for you: Draw attention to or away from parts of your body Cooler hues Darker values Duller intensities Close contrasts Examples: navy, khaki, grape, charcoal, mauve Emphasize a special feature (colour of eyes) Create illusions in height or size Can be used as a design element Act as a symbol, communicate feelings, send messages

color To increase attention and apparent size, to appear shorter and heavier Warmer hues Lighter values Brighter intensities Strong contrasts Examples: shocking pink, pumpkin, tangerine, raspberry

Color personalities!! To appear refined, romantic Warm to cool hues Lighter values Dull, muted to medium intensities including pastels Close contrasts, subtle Examples: shell pink, lavender, misty rose, orchid, blue, peach, all pastels

Color Personalities!!! To feel and appear happy, youthful, sporty Warmer hues Light to dark values Medium to bright intensities Strong contrasts, bold Examples: coral, red, khaki, ivory, brown, camel, cinnamon, brick

Color personalities!!! To appear mature, serious, somber, classic Cool hues Dark values Dull intensities Examples: navy blue, taupe, charcoal, maroon, gray, black

Color personalities!! To feel and appear dramatic/exotic Warm to cool hues Dark values, deep Bright intensities, rich Strong contrasts, bold Magenta, fuchsia, emerald green, royal blue, regal purple, sapphire, amethyst

Colours have specific names that identify them, these are called HUES. Without light we wouldn’t see these hues. Figure. 9.4 All objects contain pigments-some aborb light rays, some reflect them. We only see the rays that are REFLECTED. Ex. If a fabric looks red, it is only because the red pigments are being reflected.

Colour Wheel Figure 9.6 A colour wheel is a way to organize hues, it is a system that places colours around a wheel, they show how colours relate to one another.

Colour Wheel Basics Primary Colours Basic colours that all other colours are made from Red, yellow, blue Secondary Colours When equal amounts of two primary colours have been combined, ex. Blue + red=violet Intermediate Colours Primary colour + a neighbouring secondary colour Ex. Red + orange=red orange Complementary Colours Colours that are directly opposite on the colour wheel

Colour Variations Colour Value Intensity Adding white (tint) or black (shade) changes it`s value Figure 9.7 Intensity Brightness (lots of colour pigment) or dullness of a colour (softer, muted colours) Vibration: when two colours of equal brightness compete Neutral Colours Black, white and grey (when all colour is absorbed or reflected Can change the value/intensity of a colour

Color Schemes

Monochromatic Mono means “one”, refers to the tints tones and shades of one color Possible color combinations are limitless! Mint green and forest green Generally calming, however it depends on the hue

Analogous Often referred to as adjacent. Two, three, or four hues that lie next to one another on the color wheel. All hues have one hue in common. Possible colors (Can include tints, tones & shades) Yellow-green, yellow, yellow-orange, orange Feeling created: can be calming or exciting depending on whether they come from the cool or warm side of the color wheel. This color scheme is most effective if one of the hues repeats some aspect of your personal coloring… eyes, hair…

Complementary Combine two colors from the opposite side of the color wheel. Possible colors: red & green, blue & orange Feeling associated: stimulating due to opposite visual characteristics. By dulling the intensity or value, calming effect may be achieved. Can be very flattering to personal coloring, and versatile

Triad Three colors equally spaced on the color wheel Possible colors: tints, tones and shades of primary or secondary colors Very exciting and stimulating if used in full strength.

Neutral One, two, or three achromatic neutrals, may or may not vary in the degree of warmness or coolness, lightness or darkness, brightness or dullness Possible colors: black and white, combination of browns Effect: vary in mood depending on the degree of light and dark value contrast Are most effective if the degree of lightness or darkness in your hair and/or skin coloring is repeated in the lightness or darkness of the clothing

Accented neutral One color added to other neutrals to form a scheme. Possible colors: black, white & red, browns with light blue Effect: draws attention to the one added hue

Selecting colours for you Some say you can wear every colour, depending on hue/intensity (they look different on different people) Evaluate in natural light Consider: Height, personal colouring, body shape (figure 9-17, pg 168) Hold against your skin Switch between a variety of Warm/Cool tones See page 167 for `How to Choose your colours`

Activity 19, 20 from Student workbook

http://www.schwarzkopf.com/sk/en/home/hair_colour/blonde_hair.html http://trepanrr.tripod.com/color_analysis_test.htm