The Pantone color of 2015 is...

"Marsala!"

But, frankly folks, I call it "Brown".  Long ago, as a high school student, I wrote a report on the color and fashion trends of the Great Depression.  For the record, no one appreciated that report but me, but I still stand by it. I thought it was just fascinating. Shades of brown were all the rage at that time. 

Exciting, huh?

This "Marsala" color has no enemy, no personality, and no mood. 

But I'll allow it.  I don't follow color trends, anyway.

If I could choose the color?  I'm not too far away from that one.  I love brick red as a neutral color.  Like "Marsala's" more interesting  sister! I expressed my love for this color in my May 2013 posts about my "Ombre Hombre" shirt and skirt combo. 

Thinking Spring... already?

Well, you can certainly fabric shop well in advance.  And if you plan to make things, you are actually planning your winter activities with Spring in mind!

So, click here to see what Spring will bring! And see the blog for expert analysis and artistic descriptions/explorations.

A darker combination of Glacier Gray, Aquamarine, and Scuba Blue were used in the waterfall dress I designed, before I knew this was "the thing".  Again, I find myself out of synch with the forecast, a few months too early!

My new inspiring colors are not part of the palette, though.  I'm feeling butter yellow (paler, yet sunnier than custard)...

 and electric blue (more intense than Scuba) these days!

Glad there's room in NYC's color palette for each person's own take!

By the time you've noticed it, it may be too late... On predicting the future...

A "trend" I've noticed lately, is the popularity and value of trend forecasting services.  I would imagine that the people doing the real work of developing a line and keeping it going don't have much time to waste doing their own research, and rely on these proven resources to navigate the fashion jungle.

Now, if you create for private clients, yourself, or a small business, this information may not top your priority list, since it your job to "zag', when everyone else "zigs". Magazines and websites an be very useful, while predicting the next big thing in fashion may not be...



*Even if everyone "zags", you still need to recognize your "zig"...

For the early adopters among you, the garment district offers a treasure trove of supplies to make things inspired by the forecasted trends that aren't big YET.

Wanna see where fashion is going?  Make sure you visit Elliott Berman, and Paron Fabrics specifically (among others), because they have what the designers have actually USED to create what isn't yet in the stores, or high-quality remaining fabric from recent seasons.  Not only that, the collaged image displays the trend forecasting agencies will show you as simple snapshots will remind me of specific fabrics I've seen recently in those very stores.  You will also note that when you visit the ample selection of beautifully displayed goods in Fabrics and Fabrics, photos from recent fashion images are displayed next to the relevant fabrics, giving inspiration for the fabrics' application for your own creative endeavors.

While the big industry events can be overwhelming and offer far more information than the independent designer, custom creative or passionate sewing enthusiast may need or want, there are apps, small bites of free information from trend forecasting agencies (who often offer a more scholarly approach to the who, how and why of trends), along with color trend analysis services to help you along.

For example, look at this trend tidbit, and then... check out this Missoni knit from Eliott Berman, or these perfectly on-trend alternatives they also offer from Chanel.  Or, make sure you notice the wild textures suggested here, then check out Leather, Suede, Skins for beautifully similar fashion forward ideas.

Ideas abound!  Just, once you learn, explore, dream and shop, make sure you actually find the time to create and sew!

"Pantone-ology"

I like to consider myself ahead of the design and color curve, marching to the beat of my own drummer,  making the things that make me happy...

But ultimately, my color moods are likely influenced by the palette I find in the fabric stores, refelecting current and upcoming seasons.  Being "in fashion" isn't important to me, but, out of curiousity, I looked up the Pantone color forecast for spring 2013.  No longer a "forecast", as much as a "currentcast", with the exception of nectarine, the colors don't particularly speak to me.

But what does? Fall 2013, which is EXACTLY where I find myself now...

I am loving the idea of that deep, blood red as my new "neutral".  I would love some shoes that color.

Keep your eyes open for the upcoming post, showing this color and others in some new pieces I've recently made.