Bay Area Fashionista

AkzoNobel ColourFutures declares Terra Cotta Rose the International color of 2012

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged akzonobel / color of the year / interviews / red / spring 2012 by

There are many color experts in the marketplace who conduct a thourough analysis of trends and predict which colors will be hot during any given year. Every year fashion magazines, news outlets and bloggers pick up on the “color of the year” as declared by global color experts. While we talked about Pantone’s color of the year, Tangerine Tango for 2012 in December, AkzoNobel has released their color for 2012, which happens to be Terra Cotta Rose.

AkzoNobel was the first company to begin declaring a “Color of The Year” back in 2003 when the company put together ColourFutures and predicted the “IT” color for 2004. For 2012, AkzoNobel has declared Terra Cotta Rose the color of 2012, which is a warm reddish-pink hue.

While AkzoNobel’s colors tend to be found in paints and fabrications used in interior design, the spaces we live in are also a reflection of who we are and our lifestyles. This is why the hot interior design color for 2012 can also be found in the fashion industry. Shades of red have already been spotted in pre-fall 2012 collections which designers and brands such as Alice + Olivia and Rachel Zoe have released through photographs to the general public. Shades of red have also been spotted alongside orange hues on store shelves for the spring 2012 season; proving that red is an important color for 2012.

Terra Cotta Rose is a warm, pinkish-red which can easily blend with warm and cool colors; making it an easy color to work with when it comes to creating the perfect color blocked ensemble for spring or summer. The warm hue is also a great transitional color from spring into fall; making it a smart investment color.

*Special THANK YOU to Barbara from AkzoNobel for taking the time to speak with me about the intricate process of gathering color experts from around the globe to meet and discuss current color trends. The meeting involves twenty global experts who discuss color trends in their region. The meeting determines which colors will be hot for the following year on a worldwide scale. To see the full report, please visitcolourfutures.us

red

Cork for spring 2012

 in Eco Chic / General Fashion / Trends  tagged cork / runway trends / spring 2012 by

Cork is one of the hottest fabrications found on accessories for the spring 2012 season. Eco-chic cork is found mainly on shoes for the spring 2012 season, but the innovative fabrication can also be found on handbags, jewelry and even as trim on belts and apparel.

Cork graced the runways in New York, Paris, Milan and London last fall when designers showed off their new spring 2012 collections. These cork designs have taken store shelves by storm and as the weather warms up, they will soon overtake the streets. Designers such as Prada and Stella McCartney are showing cork for the spring 2012 season, and many moderate priced brands are following suit with cork collections of their own for spring.

Normally found used for stoppers on wine bottles, or for noteboards, cork has become an innovative material over the past few decades. Builders use cork for insulation in homes and it has also been used as chic floor and wall tiles. Cork originates from the “Cork Oak” tree and is considered a renewable resource; making it an eco-chic fabrication, love it! What makes cork fabulous is that it is made from the bark of the Cork Oak tree, therefore, the tree does not need to be cut down. The bark regrows, which is why cork is a renewable resource and eco-chic!

Cork is definitely one of the hottest ways to update your wardrobe for spring 2012. Not only is cork a renewable resource, making it eco-chic, the material offers texture and a natural vibe which is refreshing for the warm weather months. Look for both casual and dressy options this season when it comes to cork shoes, handbags and apparel.

We scoured the web and put together a few items through the Polyvore set below to help you get started on your cork shopping for spring 2012. Hope you love it! Happy shopping and stay fabulous

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The softer side of spring 2012

 in Color Trends / General Fashion / Trends  tagged pastels / runway trends / spring 2012 by

Spring 2012 is all about color. While bright and bold colors are hot, Paris gave the fashion world another color palette to think about; pastels. The Paris pastel trend seemed to be nothing more than a mere introduction when it graced the runways during Paris Fashion Week last fall. Normally when a trend first appears on the runways, store buyers and Fashionistas take notice, but do not go full force into wearing the trend. Not true this spring 2012 season. Pastels are more important than one would think.

When Paris introduced pastels, many forecasters thought it was an introduction and that in 2013 and 2014 pastels would overtake the bright colors we have grown to love during the past year. Although bright colors are highly sought after and important for spring 2012, pastels are taking an equal place in the world of spring fashion.

Pastels shades are being shown in many forms from color blocking to stand-alone hues. Pastels are being shown with whites, creams, pale beige and soft neutrals on feminine silhouettes; playing up the sweet side of the pastel color spectrum.

There is no denying that pastels are a fast up-and-comer. The hues are being shown in make-up for spring as well as on store shelves everywhere. While this is no signal to stop investing in bright colors, it does tell shoppers to mix it up in spring 2012 and invest in both bright colors and pastels. Look for pastel florals, stand-alone colors and soft color blocking. Pastels are a great way to feel fresh and perfect for days when orange, the color of 2012, is just too bright for the occasion.

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