Pink Blossoms for Spring

By: Sharon Mosley

As the snow piles up and the spring thaw seems frozen in place for a few more months, it’s time to break out of winter’s chill and open up your closet to a colorful warm-up. Wake up to hot pink. Chill out to cool coral. Fire up with ravishing red. These are the colors of a new season.

“The colors designers have chosen for the spring season present an interesting marriage of unexpected warm and cool tones,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

“By cleverly combining complementary colors — those that are opposites on the color wheel — they have created a striking intensity in the palette. These unique color combinations make it possible for consumers to pair existing pieces in colors traditionally associated with fall with new favorites to punch up springtime wardrobes.”

Eiseman notes that designers have taken their color cues for spring from exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey to satisfy a consumer’s need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands.

“The exotic locales of Marrakech and Morocco that inspired the bohemian influences of Yves Saint Laurent in the ’70s,” says Ken Downing, fashion director of Neiman Marcus. “Hot corals and deep pinks punctuated with brilliant blues ignite the carefree spirit of the coming season.”

And what is THE color of the new year? Pantone has named it “Honeysuckle.”

“Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season’s palette,” says Eiseman. “This vibrant pinkish-red for both apparel and cosmetics makes consumers feel alive, and it’s a post-winter pick-me-up.”

“In times of stress, we need something to lift our spirits,” she adds. “Honeysuckle is a captivating, stimulating color that gets the adrenaline going — perfect to ward off the winter blues.” The ‘new’ color goes beyond the traditional pastel pink.

“Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”

The trendy color derives its name from the reddish pink blossoms of the honeysuckle flower. “Honeysuckle may also bring a wave of nostalgia for its associated delicious scent reminiscent of the carefree days of spring and summer,” adds Eiseman.

And you can expect to see this hot pink showing up not only in eye-catching apparel for men and women. How about a new pink tie for your “honey” or a new pashmina scarf for yourself? Consider making the intense color part of your wedding plans. You can find “Honeysuckle” wedding attendant apparel and accessories at Dessy, a manufacturer of bridesmaid, social occasion and flower girl dresses.

You’ll even see the striking color in home accessories — patterned pillows, bedspreads, small appliances and tabletop accessories. And if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to perk up your living spaces, why not use the energetic color to brighten up a wall in your kitchen or hallway? This spring, it’s time to smell the honeysuckle and think pink!

Sharon Mosley is a former fashion editor of the Arkansas Gazette in Little Rock and executive director of the Fashion Editors and Reporters Association. To find out more about Sharon Mosley and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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