Fall Colors for 2008

COLOR MARKETING GROUP PREDICTS TRENDSFOR FALL/WINTER 2008
ECONOMY AND ECOLOGY ARE KEY DRIVERS OF COLOR TRENDS
Alexandria, VA /September 2008 --What colors will be in store next fall? According to Color Marketing Group (CMG), the leading international association of color design professionals, today’s hottest color trends are most influenced by two major issues: the economy and concern for the environment.
“Economic extremes lead to color extremes, too,” said Jaime Stephens, executive director of CMG, which has predicted color trends with remarkable accuracy for more than 45 years. “So we see many opposites. For instance, ecological concerns mean fabrics are being made with less dye, giving them an almost vintage look. So vintage colors look very right. On the other hand, exuberant economies in countries like China and India draw us to ethnic brights – sunny yellows, true turquoises, warm oranges. Both look very cutting edge.”
“Members tell us our dual instincts apply as well to technology,” she said. “We want to sit under a tree and read a book – with our BlackBerry nearby. We are drawn to old-culture décor – a Tuscan farmhouse kitchen – but we want state-of-the-art appliances in that kitchen. So we are drawn to both vintage hues and new bright colors.”
What‘s coming this fall? According to CMG:
Both Extreme Matte and Very Shiny Gloss finishes – Look for lots of new special effects, patterns and textures, including black-on-black beading, stitching or embossing; bright metallics with a matte graphic overlay; stamped and foiled metallics and layering of similar colors.
The Return of Purple – Purple has moved from a blue-based lavender to a red-based purple verging on raspberry. The newest version is a true convergence of red and purple – a high-energy almost fuchsia-like color.
Super Reds and Oranges – A blue-based red in a sophisticated, complex shade that is really a fresher, lighter burgundy looks very right now. So does a passionate orange-y red that brings to mind the Summer Olympics in Beijing. And an intense, lipstick berry red (kissed by a touch of orange) makes a great accent color. Also, look for a soft new coral that is warm and pinked. It works well with neutral, brown and green shades.
Fresh New Grays – Gray has moved from metallics to fabrics to paint to home products. We’ve gone from granite, marble and stainless steel kitchens to gray on the walls, gray on upholstery. There are some wonderful new pale, lilac-y grays. And this fall, look especially for (1) a truly classic gray with undertones of no other color; (2) a silver with blue undertones, and (3) a very sophisticated green-cast smoky black.
Gray/Blue Greens – Green has been the most-used color over the last few years, as environmentalism went mainstream. Now, however, the newest greens are moving toward shades that are grayer and bluer. Green is trending away from yellow-based shades and moving toward blue-based shades. This fall, cool blue-greens will be everywhere. Some of the newest are so blue they almost read turquoise.
New Blues – Robin’s egg blues, so prevalent over the last couple of years, are fading out now. Softer blues are heading home. Look for pale, spa-influenced blues; spirited blues that are vibrant without being aggressive, and inky navy blues as an alternative to black. Finally, there is a bold new European-influenced blue that is showing up in laundry rooms and kitchen appliances.
About Color Marketing Group
Color Marketing Group forecasts color trends up to three years into the future for its members, many of whom must plan ahead for product, space and materials introductions. For more information: www.colormarketing.org.