November 14, 2009

UNIGLO

If you were the richest man in Japan, what retail business might you invest in? Tadashi Yoni would be that person and he believes in simple styling, well made garments at a reasonableprice in a wide assortment of color. So much so that it became the inspiration his stores, Uniglo (derived from of “unique” and “clothes”). It is a retailing giant in Asia and has spread into 750 stores in six countries, including Australia, the UK, the U.S, and most recently into that bastion of fashion, France. The lynchpin garment comes in clean, classic designs, notably cashmere sweaters that sell for $90 U.S. and come in 20 colors.

My first exposure to Uniglo was in London where a new collection of Pantone sweaters was being unveiled. I was like a kid in a candy store—20 different shades stacked precisely from floor to 50-foot high ceilings, filled with color. I settled on a Lavender Violet (to be exact, Pantone 17-2934).

This clever display appears to be a sweater and leggings, but it’s actually two sweaters—one worn the conventional way and the other turned upside down, with the mannequin’s legs clothed in the sleeve. While I might not suggest that approach in real life, it is really innovative in a display!

As you might know our color guru blogger has been a prime consultant to Pantone for 24 years. Here are excerpts from Pantone’s new yellow catalog taken from Color: Messages and Meanings, A Pantone Color Resource by Leatrice Eiseman with images from Tim Heyer.

We are happy to see our color pick of the year showing up both here and abroad.

Michelle Obama in a Mimosa yellow Michael Kors suit as featured in Vogue magazine.

It was the official color of the big Parisian home and decor show Maison & Objet.

From the pages of HFN

Home Furnishings News for Industry Decision Makers

September Issue

Corporate Spotlight Feature

Also from HFN…

August 2009 edition

Letters to the Editor

Unknown Admirer

To the editor:

Say it isn’t so. I cannot believe that HFN has succumbed to celebrity worship (Power 100, HFN, July 2009). Outside influencers-you have got to be kidding. When have Jaclyn Smith or Cindy Crawford earned the attention of all home manufacturers/retailers/designers/marketers so that they could use their lines as inspiration or an indicator of what is to come, while ignoring a true industry influence like Lee Eiseman, of the Pantone Color Institute. She is the true celebrity as the “Rock Star’ of color who has helped to shape thinking through her color forecasts that are truly indicators of important colors to come and an enormous help to so many people in every home and fashion related industry. She has commanded very large audiences through her remarkably accurate forecasts, both at trade shows like the Housewares Show, as well as constantly being quoted in the media for her insights. I certainly hope that when you compile another list of those who should be recognized that she is front and center again, as she deserves to be.

Name withheld upon request

Retailer

Los Angeles

With the waning days of summer I walk around my garden, absorbing the beauty of the myriad colors I see. Like a squirrel storing the nuts for the winter ahead, I commit to memory this beautiful spectrum that is just beginning to fade, but even in that fading process, a new variation of reds, russets and purples come forth until finally the starkness of empty branches will take over. But even then, there are the contrasts of shape, foliage and always, the color of the faithful evergreens to carry us through until the purple crocus announces its presence in January.

Here are some of my summer favorites…

The gamut of hydrangeas

The glorious dahlias

Echinacea

Roses

The colors speak for themselves!

Excerpted from Colors For Your Every Mood

Seeking Equilibrium: Homeostasis

Throughout our lives, we seek balance on many levels: spiritually, aesthetically, emotionally, and physically (the ancient Chinese called it the balance of yang and yin). Today our lifestyles and attitudes require a perpetual balancing act between work and play, practicality and fantasy, technology and humanism; seeking what is new while treasuring the old.

Above all, our homes are critical to our sense of equilibrium. For increasing numbers of people, it is both work place and living space. Now, more than ever, there is a need for home to be a safe haven; a place where we can feel secure, nurtured, connected, and comfortable; a place to regroup, refresh, and replenish. Color can be an instant equalizer and a “quick fix” in helping us to achieve that ever-important balance in our busy often hectic lives.

Although we have no conscious awareness of it, our eyes search for balance in our immediate environments. Having someone tell you that your home is warm is always taken as a compliment because warm colors are perceived as cheerful and welcoming. Excessive warmth, unrelieved by a cool touch, however, can be too much of a good thing. Too many cool colors with no suggestion of warmth can have a chilling effect on our moods as well as on others entering our home. And being told that your home is cold would definitely not be taken as a compliment!

Perhaps you have had your colors “done,” and you were told to decorate your home in the same colors that you wear. If you were placed in a warm palette, you might have been told to decorate exclusively in warm colors. If cool colors were chosen for you, then you might have been told to decorate only in cool colors. This is not necessarily good advice especially if it came from a color analyst who got her certification from a home-maintenance product company after an “intensive” one hour training session!

As far as color is concerned, beware of the words exclusively, only, never, and always. These are very judgmental and may be outmoded, at least as far as you are concerned. If you prefer either warm colors or cool colors for your clothing as well as your living space, then by all means use what pleases you. But remember that using warm colors exclusively can make you feel uncomfortably overheated, and using only cool colors can make you feel that the atmosphere is uninviting and sterile.

Our innate longing for balance welcomes the soothing touch of green plants in a warm room, just as a large vase of red tulips brings a cheering warmth to a too-cool interior. This need to maintain internal equilibrium or a sense of balance (called homeostasis) is a natural phenomenon that is inborn, a purely physiological reaction.

To prove this to yourself try the following experiment:

Concentrate on a fixed red object for about ten seconds. Look away at a piece of plain white paper, and you will see the complimentary shade of green. This is homeostasis in action–our body’s ability to provide relief to our eyes and restore our sense of balance. We need only to take a cue from our own restorative powers by turning the color temperature up or down, allowing one color to dominate and the other to support.

GREEN

If you were playing a word association game, what would be your immediate response to the word “green?” Would you visualize the brilliant blue-green of a tropical ocean, a verdant bed of velvety moss, silver-green willow branches, the lush deep green of a pine scented arbor, the sophisticated sparkle of emeralds, or the sickly yellow-green associated with nausea and mold or slimy scary creatures? As the range of green is enormous, so are the possibilities of positive or negative associations.

The Gamut of Greens

Perhaps it was Kermit the Frog who best understood this complex color when he so aptly stated: “It’s not easy being green!”

Responses to green run from high praise to pure disgust. Why the extreme divergence of opinion on greens? Perhaps it’s because, of the 8 million to 10 million colors discernible to the human eye, the widest range distinguishable is in the vast variety of greens. The color of many edible plants (or at least their leaves), green was the first color to appear on earth and very necessary to human survival.

Want to know more about green? Check out Colors For Your Every Mood

What Dogs and Cats Really See on TV…and Elsewhere

Helena Sung

Posted July 23, 2009

Have you been looking for another way to enjoy time with your pet?

Consider watching television as it is not just humans who can enjoy a flat screen TV.

“Turns out quick thinking cats may actually prefer high end flat screens.” This according to Dr. Alex Melrose a Veterinarian from New Zealand.

“Despite a popular myth, dogs and cats do see color — just not as much as humans can. Dogs can pick out the color blue, but “red, green and yellow all appear similar.” Cats can detect a fuller range of colors in the blue, green and yellow spectrum, says Dr. Melrose, but see very little reds.”

“If you recall from biology class, the human eye has light-sensitive cells called “rods” that help us see in dim lighting and “cones” that enable us to see color and detect fine detail. Dogs only have two types of cones at the backs of their eyes, while humans have three types of cones that are packed at 10 times the density at the back of our retinas — hence our ability to enjoy the rainbow of colors.”

“Now that you know how dogs and cats see differently than we do, what can you do to enhance your pet’s television-watching experience? “Turn the brightness [on the tv] down,” says Dr. Melrose. “And pick out shows with lots of fast-moving action scenes where everyone’s wearing lots of blue stripes.”

examiner.com Seattle

Expressive art and your child

East LA Child Care Examiner

Rosemary Akhavan

September 2, 2009

“I have always encouraged my clients to allow their children to express themselves freely through color and art or craft projects. You might think that everyone would do so, but think about your own color like and dislikes and/or stereotyping. Do you pass that on to your child? Just as the author states, children should be allowed free reign without fear of judgmental comments concerning colors or color combinations”

The following is an excerpt from “Expressive art and your child”

“A study conducted by Marcel Zentner in 2001, of the University of Geneva indicated that children associated colors to emotions differently than adults. The adult’s favorite color universally was blue, whereas, children preferred the color red. Adults were consistent in associating certain colors to emotions: Happy was yellow, Sad was black, and Angry was red. In contrast, children chose a wide range of colors to associate with each facial expression. Happy tended to be red, and Sad tended to be blue, however, no color was chosen to represent Angry. One significant correlation that Zentner did find was that children associated bright colors with Happy, and dark colors with Sad. So parents, remember not to be critical of your child’s color choice, although children have been found to associate color with emotions, they do it differently from adults.”

In the next few weeks I will be heading to Washington D.C. for the 2009 DDI (Display and Design Ideas) show.

DDI is the longest-running event of its kind in the industry, the DDI forum covers topics and discussions of the most pressing issues among thought leaders in the retail design community.

The theme for the talk is “Future Forecast: A Mosaic of Color and Style.

Mosaics reflect cultural, geographical and political differences, yet coordinate seemingly disparate elements that, in the end, create an integrated whole. They are also a practical, eco-efficient way of bringing together previously used materials, colors and finishes to create new and unique combinations. Mosaics can be a record of the past, but new technologies continue to re-invent future usage.

From time to time we hear that boys are born with proclivities to certain colors, girls to others. I have long held the opinion that children, regardless of sex, can be trained and encouraged to enjoy and understand color.

From Publishers Weekly comes an interesting review of a book that points out certain differences in development, yet at the same shows helps us understand how training can help a child, regardless of sex, develop various skills. In the words of the reviewer:

…. (This book) “underscores how small the differences really are and what parents can do to resist the harmful stereotyping that grows more entrenched over time”.

The book is not specifically about color, but helps to disprove the theory that all skills are inborn and largely based on sex.

Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow into Troublesome Gaps—and What We Can Do About It Lise Eliot. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $24 (384p) ISBN 978-0-618-39311-4

Professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University, Lise Eliot (What’s Going On in There?) offers a refreshingly reasonable and reassuring look at recent alarming studies about sex differences in determining the behavior of children. Her levelheaded approach recognizes assertions by the “nature versus nurture” advocates such as Michael Gurian, Leonard Sax, Louann Brizendine—e.g., boys lag behind girls in early development, are more risk taking and spatially adept, while girls are hardwired for verbal communication and feeling empathy. Eliot revisits much of the data showing subtle differences in boy-girl sensory processing, memory and language circuits, brain functioning, and neural speed and efficiency, using clever charts and graphs of her own. However, she emphasizes most convincingly that the brain is marvelously plastic and can remodel itself continually to new experiences, meaning that the child comes into the world with its genetic makeup, but “actually growing a boy from those XY cells or a girl from XX cells requires constant interaction with the environment.” At the end of each chapter, she lists ways to nip early troubles in the bud—i.e., for boys, language and literacy enrichment; for girls, stimulating movement, visual and spatial awareness. Dense, scholarly but accessible, Eliot’s work demonstrates a remarkable clarity of purpose. (Oct.)

These images from Africa provided by John A. Eisenhauer owner of Bainbridge Travel.

Thank you John!

Lee’s South African Tour

As some of you may already know, my assistant Bobbie and I visited South Africa recently as I was asked to do presentations in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Our hosts could not have been more hospitable (and fun). The sponsors were Decorex Joburg 2009 together with Plascon Paints as the show sponsor and media-partner DSty. Their mission was to ‘’guide visitors through the maze of trends towards the highway of conscious living”. Now in its 16th year, the show is the definitive mix of the emerging and the established, manufacturers and suppliers – large and small.

Their theme was definitely green as they spoke to edible landscapes, food forests and peach-pip pebble floors.

Geothermal heating, vermiculture, earth-friendly décor and salvage chic. Green is the buzzword du jour, giving rise to do-good design, the inventive-reuse of hand-me-downs and a flare-up of all things organic.

Sprouting a forest of eco-caring ideas was the recurring theme for Decorex Joburg 2009. The event showed visitors that it is possible to live an elegantly frugal life by doing more with less. Decorex Joburg forms part of the Decorex SA portfolio of decor shows and is owned by Thebe Exhibitions & Projects Group.

This of course, resounded with me as I have been including the green theme in my thinking for the past several years. Obviously, this is a world-wide concern.

According to Melanie Robinson, Decorex director, the show sets the example with green exhibition practices, using the event as a role model towards greener living. “While concepts such as ‘edible landscapes’ might sound slightly ‘out there’, by trying radical ideas we can spark off positive energy to take exhibitors, staff and suppliers as well as visitors on the exciting, lifesaving journey of going green.”

It is most encouraging that a new generation of designers featured at Decorex shows are driven as much by ethics as by aesthetics,” she adds. “This is in step with their new responsibility to analyze the life cycle of their designs and the items they use: how a product is made, how it will be used and where it will go at the end of its functioning life.“

The exhibition aimed at making Decorex SA a zero waste event, from reducing packaging and re-use of materials such as banners to eco-friendly printing and re-imagined green breathing spaces throughout the exhibition.

“The economic climate has catapulted recession decor to new heights, as opulence and glamour make way for a new form of minimalism: getting by with what we have, topped up with inventiveness”, adds Cairey Slater, general manager: exhibitions. “Add eco-caring products to the mix and the result is a dynamic eclectic look – seen by many as the decor style of the 21st century.”

SHOW THEME: NEW FUSION – URBAN AND CHIC

“The overall show theme ‘ New Fusion: urban and chic’ fits Joburg like a glove,” says Nika Smit, Decorex marketing manager. “It reflects the trend-setting international outlook, African roots, pioneering thinking, green consciousness and doing things on a larger-than-life scale.”

“Edgy, confident, individual and highly expressive, Joburg has an urban attitude like no other,” she adds. “More than a city, it’s a hatching place for all that’s über-Africa. When people relax they do so in free style and to their own street beat – in penthouses in the newly-revived centre of the city, town-houses in the suburbs, bohemian-chic studios in a gritty industrial part of town; an eco-estate with the ‘best’ address, or a well-loved family home in the warm heart of Soweto.”

PLASCON 2010 COLOR FORECAST

Plascon’s 16-year relationship with Decorex SA as sponsor resulted in the most colorful collaboration ever with the launch of the Plascon 2010 Color Forecast. In step with global attention focusing firmly on Africa, this new collection inspired by the splendor of the continent connects with its creative energy and natural splendor.

The four palettes of the Plascon 2010 Color Forecast — Northern Exotica, Southern Spectacle, Eastern Promise and Western Desert — each represent the natural, cultural and historical riches of their namesake geographical regions in Africa. Northern Exotica is awash with blues and whites inspired by the French, Arabic and African influences on Morocco and Tunisia. Southern Spectacle is an eclectic mix of purples, mustards, greens and blues inspired by the diversity of South Africa. Eastern Promise is a warm palette of vibrant spice colors including reds, oranges and yellows, drawn from the printed textiles of the Samburu and Masai tribes of Kenya and beyond, while Western Desert is a collection of rust, burnt umber and stone, drawing on the colours of the Namib and the markets of Nigeria, Says Anne Roselt, Plascon Color Manager, “2009 focused on the “green movement” and this continues into 2010. However, wherever we researched we found inspiration from Africa coming up and therefore we have identified Africa as the major trend influence coming through for 2010.”

Reasons cited for this include South Africa’s selection as host nation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. “Add to this Nelson Mandela’s enduring global appeal and the fact that the latest international newsmaker, President Barack Obama, has roots in Kenya. Filmmakers are increasingly choosing the Mother Continent as the location for movies and holiday makers are hard pressed to find anything even close to the magnificence of our National parks. And, not only did this year’s New York Fashion Week see African designs showcased alongside the likes of Ralph Lauren and Louis Vuitton, but these fashion greats themselves drew on the continent for inspiration for their own collections.”

I couldn’t agree more. Actually, when I was first invited to do the presentations, I was struck by the fact that I had already devloped a palette for the Pantone View home forecast for 2010 that was based on that stunningly beautiful continent. And when Anne sent me her gorgeous palettes, I was vastly impressed by her choices and combinations of color based on the four geographic regions of Africa mentioned above.

LEE EISEMAN’S COLOUR TALK TOUR STARTED AT DECOREX JOBURG

My talks were based on taking an in-depth look at how colour can attract success to a product, environment or design. The presentation entitled ‘Colour and Emotion’ offers insight into the link between color and the consumer psyche. As appeared in their descriptive information, Decorex said, “Hailing from the USA Eiseman has written seven books on color. She is the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, the Director of the Eiseman Centre for Color Information and Training and a color/design consultant to many industries. Fortune Magazine has named her as one of the 10 top decision makers for her work in colour and she is widely viewed as the foremost international authority on colour trends.

The Fabulous Bush Trip

From a message sent home during the trip:

We are having an awesome time. The lodge we are staying in is fabulous . This is definitely not a tent in the desert! Gourmet food for all meals and a small picnic spread taken out into the bush for the touring twice a day (in a Range Rover with only a covered top, but lots of blankets). I have had to curb my appetite, but they have surprised me by sticking to my vegetarian ways and offering me options and/or additions. But the food is pretty healthy to begin with, so no problems there.

The lodge was built by the Cointreau family (of liqueur fame) and it is fabulous. High beamed ceilings, plush leather sofas, art and artifacts, interesting textiles, beautiful native woods, a bathroom looking out into a wooded area with a stream and fully equipped with every lotion and potion you might need.

On the very first day, we sighted zebra, wildebeests, giraffes, rhinos, baboons, monkeys and various birds, some small and some bigger than the American eagle. The next day we saw hippos, impalas, kudus and a herd of elephants. I thought Bobbie would collapse– she adores elephants and to see them roaming on the plain was magical. In the afternoon, while we were seated outside our rooms, a monkey was checking us out from a nearby tree.

All of the animals are free roaming and we were warned not to leave windows or doors open at night as the monkeys and baboons are notorious thieves and will come in to steal goodies from your room, but we were both so tired after the wine, food and the first bush trip that we heard none of their conversation. Our guide and host is so knowledgeable–he knows every species of animal, bird and foliage.

What I have noted most about color on the bush trip is that almost everything blends with the topography. Natural camouflage has never been more evident, so that it is more often the people that stand out in color, as opposed to the animals!

The arts and artifacts in every region were very special and original. No lack of color there. Bobbie and I did manage to make some wonderful purchases. And speaking of color, there is a multi-hued area of Cape Town called Bo-Kaap that is pure technicolor and Bobbie did manage to get some colorful shots. Check out those images below.

A very special thank you to our hosts, hostesses, arrangers, drivers and audio/visual people and most especially to Samantha van den Berg, Errieda and Ian du Toit and Ann Roselt.

Stay tuned for more exciting pictures from Africa…

The Hollywood Reporter

“It’s what brown can do for them that makes Manure an inside job”

Borys Kit

Not a word you will find frequently on this blog, never the less “Manure” is a story that makes great use of a color and of course, that color would be brown. Manure is a film in production about two men fighting each other to control that business.

Images courtesy of Manure movie

“And everything, from the suits to the leaves to the sky, is brown” says Borys Kit in the Hollywood Reporter. Brown is used not only to depict the inspiration from the theme but also to reflect a 1950’s epic film. Art direction is of prime importance to the brothers producing the film, Michael and Mark Polish. They looked at many shades of brown, narrowing it down to ten variations.”

Images courtesy of Manure movie

“Exploring the sets, it’s not only the browns one notices but also that everything is hand-crafted, an entirely painted film on painted stages, something not seen much anymore these days.”

“It really recalls a bygone era where everything was done by hand,” says Jonathan Sheldon, a partner with the brothers at their Prohibition Pictures banner.”

Images courtesy of Manure movie

House Beautiful

September 2009

Find Your Color Personality

We are happy to report that Lee’s Color Clock™ concept was excerpted on page 96 of the September issue of House Beautiful.

“Now there’s someone to help to find the best colors for your home. Color expert Leatrice Eiseman

(morealivewithcolor.com) has divided colors into four times of day-sunrise, sunlight, sunset and crossover, which takes its palette not from a time, but from classic colors lifted out of nature. She believes that each of us is strongly drawn to a specific Colortime®. If you use your own Colortime® colors to decorate, “not only will you look your best, it will bring you a sense of balance and well-being-and revitalize your home,” Eiseman says. Take her color quiz to find out what your colors are.”

Real Simple

The 4 Universally Flattering Clothing Colors

Some hues bring out the best in everyone, regardless of skin tone or hair color.

By Yolanda Wikiel

Flattering Color: Eggplant

“Some colors work for all skin tones and hair colors, because they fall into the middle of the color spectrum, meaning they’re not too warm or too cool,” says Leatrice Eiseman, author of The Color Answer Book (Capital Books, $20, amazon.com) and director of the Pantone Color Institute, the international authority on color. Case in point: eggplant (Pantone 19-2311 TC). Eiseman calls the tone “the perfect purple” because it is extremely versatile, almost like a black, a dark brown, or a navy.

Flattering Color: True Red

Designer Bill Blass once said, “When in doubt, wear red.” And he was right. Not only does red stop traffic but it may also make you a winner. In a study conducted at the University of Durham, in England, researchers found that athletes in combative sporting competitions who wore red were more apt to win than contestants wearing other colors. Pantone 19-1664 TC flatters everyone because it “resides in the center of the color spectrum, in between a cool cherry red and a warm, orangey tomato red,” says New York City makeup artist Sonia Kashuk.

Flattering Color: Indian Teal

Colors on opposite sides of the color wheel enhance each other, which is why strawberries look so good packaged in green containers, Eiseman says. It’s not surprising that this teal―Pantone 19-4227 TC, the color-wheel opposite of pink―plays up a healthy flush in the skin. Plus, it’s more versatile than a bright, summery turquoise, so you can wear it well into the fall with black, brown, and other neutrals.

Flattering Color: Mellow Rose

Sorry, Pretty in Pink fans, but Molly Ringwald did not look all that great in her bubble-gum pink prom dress. She should have opted for a more sophisticated shade, somewhere between a light pink and a peach, which looks more like a neutral than a pastel. The subtle color (Pantone 15-1515 TC) highlights the natural flush of one’s face, says Kashuk, giving anyone who wears it a glow. No wonder Kashuk recommends a similar shade of lipstick to all her clients.

How do colors get their names?

“[…]

Color names come from various sources, starting in ancient times to describe light and dark, day and night. Then came the association of color with various natural phenomena such as red with blood, yellow with sun, the green of vegetation, blue of sky and water, brown of the Earth, and the remaining colors that are also evident in the environment.

In some languages such as he Shona language of Zimbabwe, no words exist to distinguish between red and orange, while in other cultures color names describe some pretty basic functions. In the Eskimo language, for example, blood and bile are used as descriptive words, as is the name for a purple red, which literally means the color a of person who has choked to death.

For the most part, color is described with more aesthetically pleasing words. Chinese Yellow was adapted as a color name for this imperial shade, because the ancient Chinese venerated yellow as the color of the emperor and only he could wear it (talk about an exclusive club!). One ruler actually called himself the Yellow Emperor, and it is only fitting that a color was named in his honor as he is reputed to have been the inventor of Chinese script.

The name of a color draws our attention more forcefully to the attributes of a color. A color called Chocolate Brown is perceived of as delicious and rich, but Decadent Chocolate tempts us even more. Champagne Beige, as in plush carpeting, is seen as much more upscale than a nondescript beige. A lipstick called Hibiscus is far more suggestive of tropical delights than the unimaginative and uninspired “shade #10.”

[…]”

For more, please read The Color Answer Book

Excerpted from pages 8 and 9.

The Next 48hours Cape Town

World’s Colour Expert Visits Cape Town

Peter Tromp

August 6, 2009

PETER TROMP spoke to LEE EISEMAN, internationally renowned guru on colour and its importance in everyday life and design. The American is visiting South Africa to celebrate the launch of Plascon’s 2010 Colour Forecast and will present colour talks in a three city tour. Her Cape Town presentation, entitled ‘Colour and Emotion’, will take place on August 12 at The Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront from 10am to 12.30pm, and will take an in-depth look at how colour can attract success to a product, environment or design.

Colour obviously plays and has played a very important part in your life. What triggered the initial fascination, and when was this?

Starting in childhood, I was always fascinated by colours, and I loved to create colour combinations. My mother was the primary influence as she painted interiors of our little “row house” in Maryland a different colour every year. She preferred that to spring cleaning.

How does one become a colour expert? In other words, how did your love of colour transition into a career?

I recognized the need in the part of both individuals and companies for colour advice. The market was there. I just needed to learn how to get the word out and I did that with my first book in 1983. (‘Alive With Color’, re-done more recently as ‘More Alive With Color’.) It was brought to the attention of the CEO of the largest colour communication company internationally. He asked me to head up his colour institute, which I accepted with the proviso that I could retain additional clients needing colour advice.

What does an average day for an internationally renowned colour consultant usually look like?

There is no average day. Every day is a new challenge as I work with so many industries, so I must constantly do research and look for trends, speak at trade shows and develop online colour programs. I also teach a yearly colour program on Bainbridge Island, WA where I live and work. I also constantly speak to media, write books on colour (seven, so far), attend international forecasting meetings and so on.

How important, or significant is an awareness of colour in everyday life?

Enormously important, starting in childhood. Colour can affect mood, make impressions, induce creativity and, more pragmatically, sell products.

What do you think are some of the most widely held misconceptions about the importance of colour?

Many companies in the past have not taken the subject seriously, thinking it a bit of fluff to add later on down in the production process. That is changing rapidly and more industries are understanding the importance of colour and the need to engage people like myself, colour consultants, to give educated advice. On a more personal level, it can create self-esteem and more self-awareness, so it I not just a question of the aesthetics of colour, but colour and the emotional aspect, which is one of my favourite subjects.

Tell us about your trip to South Africa. What has brought you here?

Anne Roselt, colour manager of Plascon, first approached me. I was instantly engaged as this is a country that has always fascinated me. And you are very much in the news. One of my colour forecasts shows Africa as a huge influence on colour internationally. And then when I saw Plascons’s beautiful palettes, I knew I had to visit the source of such beauty.

* Images Courtesy of Plascon 2010 Forecast Colour

Obviously, these seminars appeal to professional people from various industries, but what can interested parties from the general public stand to gain from them?

I think that there is a fascination for colour that many people hold and as I like to point out, everyone has the ability to be creative with colour. They simply need to learn more about the subject and that is what I will be coming to do, to add another perspective.

* For more information on the presentation and to book, email monique@tepg.co.za or visit www.decorex.co.za or go to www.colorexpert.com and www.MoreAliveWithColor.com.

It seems now more than ever it is imperative to make a great first impression, especially when it comes to a job interview.

Have you ever wondered…

What colors should I wear for a job interview?

As is frequently said, you never have second chance to make a first impression. So, as color is a vital part of that first impression, it is important to get the color right. First, look at the industry that interests you the most and wear colors that are appropriate for that business. For example, a conservative industry such as banking, accounting, or law will pay pay more attention to an applicant in a conservative power color like True Navy or Charcoal Gray. You’ll simply look more credible in those colors, and that is the message they want to broadcast to clients.

If you are looking for a job in a glamour industry, women can and should wear trendy colors to accent more basic colors like black so you let them know that you are aware of the latest trends. Men can bring interesting trend colors into shirts and ties, or they can look very GQ in all black. What you don’t want to do is wear something as unimaginative as a white shirt and solid tie.

Men should avoid dark shirts and ties with dark suits for conservative industries. You’ll look like something out of an old mafioso movie or too fashion-forward for banking, insurance, accounting and law firms.

If you are one of many applicants, and chances are you will be, try to make yourself memorable by using a conversation piece for color-a piece of jewelry, a scarf, or a really wonderful suggestion of color around the face, as you will be seated and the interviewer will see you only from the waist up. For example, a True Navy sweater with a really terrific Turquoise color, perhaps in a piece of jewelry, outlining your face. For men it could be an interesting tie that has a touch of color in a memorable pattern.

Avoid colors that are fun for other occasions like sports or vacation wear, but could look tacky or garish in a job interview, such as really brilliant Lime Fizz green or Mega Magenta. They are likely to remember you, but for the wrong reasons!

To find out more about signature colors based on personal coloring check out page 56 of The Color Answer Book or More Alive With Color.

“The end of a “Kodak moment”

Quotes excerpted from The New York Times

Kodak Will Retire Kodachrome, Its Oldest Color Film Stock

by The Associated Press

June 23, 2009

It is time to say goodbye to an old favorite.

Last Monday it was announced that Kodak is retiring Kodachrome.

“It was the world’s first commercially successful color film, immortalized in Mr.Simon’s song in 1973: “They give us those nice bright colors. They give us the greens of summers. Makes you think all the world’s a sunny day. …So, Mama, don’t take my Kodachrome away.”

Sad but true as time and things always change. The digital age is upon us. We are here to say Goodbye Kodachrome, your vivid imagery will always remain in our hearts and slides.

Article from Artslink.co.za

Submitted by Ian du Toit

PR Company: Errieda du Toit PR

June 17,2009

International colour guru Lee Eiseman will do talks in Joburg, Cape Town and Durban taking an in-depth look at how colour can attract success. Do you know your Iron (a browned-down grey) from your Crème Brulee (a greyed-down beige)? It has been said that Lee Eiseman – an international colour guru visiting South Africa on a three-city tour of colour presentations in August – knows so much about the history of colour, the psychology of colour and the application of colour that she can make colour interesting to a convent of nuns who only wear black. More importantly, she constantly updates the dynamics of colour and how it responds to the pop culture, the economy and world events.

According to Eiseman, about 80% of human experience filters through the eyes, making visual cues vital to getting the message across – whether it be an appropriate interior environment or a fashion statement or advertising message. “It is invariably colour that rivets the eye and elicits the strongest and most emotional responses.”

Eiseman is brought to South Africa by Plascon and Decorex SA to coincide with the launch of Plascon’s highly awaited Colour Forecast for 2010 at Decorex Joburg. Eiseman will do colour talks in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, taking an in-depth look at how colour can attract success to a product, environment or design. The presentation, entitled ‘Colour and Emotion’, offers insight into the link between colour and the consumer psyche.

Hailing from the USA, Leatrice (Lee) Eiseman has written seven books on colour. She is the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, the director of the Eiseman Center for Color Information and Training and a colour/design consultant to many industries. Fortune Magazine has named her as one of the 10 top decision makers for her work in colour and she is widely viewed as the foremost international authority on colour trends.

Eiseman’s presentations are must-attend events for anyone whose success depends on communicating with colour or uses visual stimulation to elicit response from their targeted consumer. These range from interior designers, architects and graphic artists to creatives in beauty, fashion and marketing.

Not exclusively for professionals, anyone who’s intrigued by the comings and goings of colour trends or captivated by colour’s connection to emotions will find new insights.

Gadget Lab/Wired.com

Nokia Patent Seeks Emoticon for Phones

by Priya Ganapati

May 19, 2009

A few years back, I was asked to recommend colors for snap-on covers for Nokia phones. So I was particularly fascinated by the following article showing Nokia’s newest direction in connecting color and emotion. Sort of like the old mood rings that changed color with mood and then there were even bathing suits that did the same thing (really!) so this is not a new concept, but still, people are always fascinated by color and its connection to emotions.

Feeling blue? Let your phone say that to the world. Nokia has filed a patent for a system that would allow a phone to transmit the user’s basics emotions along a text or voice message and have the receiver’s device flash the appropriate light to indicate the emotion. “Light messaging allows a user to express a mood while having an ongoing call or while sending a text message,” said Nokia in its patent filing. “The light messaging may set the tone of the communication.

People react to lights and colors very deeply and emotionally.” That means when a user sends a text message, they can choose an appropriate mood from the phone’s software options. A color corresponding to that emotion is embedded with the message and sent. The receiver’s phone then lights up displaying that color along with the message.

Here’s how the system would work, says the filing. It would consist of a transmitter, a light indicating signal such as an LED and firmware to select the mood. When, for instance, a text message is to be sent, the user would select a color to go with it, such as red for high priority messages. When the message is received, the red color is displayed either through a special LED element or on the entire keypad or as a backlight of the appropriate color to the message.

Inspiration and design can come from many places. One could be inspired by architecture while another may be inspired by a beautiful bolt of fabric.

Wherever you draw your inspiration it is not hard to be inspired by the 2009 Fall/Winter catalog from 18Karat.

18Karat has given beauty to the notion of “chaos and order”.

One particularly catching aspect of “chaos and order” is found in the textiles section of the catalog “knits and weaves”.

Sketches of weaves show the simple and complexity of a knit weave. The weaves show 18Karat’s natural fiber blanket weaves. The woven blankets “natural-toned palette ranges from light ivory to charcoal with gradations of linen and grey tones. They represent the unadulterated tones of the animal coats.”

Pictures and excerpts from 18Karat Fall/Winter 2009 catalog

Feeling anxious?

Golden or mellow yellow induce feelings of optimism and enlightenment.

Creative block?

Purple will boost your creativity

Irritable?

Nature’s greens are great equalizers and harmonizers. Experience the great outdoors.

Find out more in The Color Answer Book

Color-Coding Your Menu

By Susan McQuillan for Psychology Today, June 2009

The best way to shop for and eat foods with all the nutrients you need is to forget about nutrients as color is a much better guide. Susan McQuillan makes some interesting points color and food in Psychology Today, June 2009.

It seems that the color of your food is just as important as the food itself. This article by Susan McQuillan suggest that some foods are better than others and can be called “super stars”.

She tells us that the foods you eat every day–fruits and veggies, meats and meat substitutes, dairy products and bread–all contain vital nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet, stating that “Deeply colored fruits and veggies-are superstars.”

She believes that the best bet is to think: color as the natural color of food can be a reliable indicator of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

She also states that “dark green veggies such as broccoli, spinach, and sugar snap peas are high in vitamin C while red, yellow, and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots, sweet peppers, and sweet potatoes can also be rich in vitamin C. Purplish-blue foods, like grapes and blueberries are also high in vitamin C and fiber.”

And while we may not think of white as a color, still white fruits and veggies, like mushrooms, potatoes, and bananas, supply B vitamins and minerals, while white dairy products-milk, yogurt, cheese-provide ample amounts of calcium and are usually fortified with vitamin D.

In her continuing rationale for other colors, she says that “brown foods in the form of grains, nuts, and seeds supply vitamins E and B, which include folic acid. Brown and white foods like meat, fish, poultry, tofu, and legumes stand out as defining sources of protein and minerals like iron and zinc.”

“The foods you eat every day-fruits and veggies, meats and meat substitutes, dairy products and bread-all contain vital nutrients that contribute the a healthy diet.”

“Focus on choosing a wide variety of foods from every food group, every day, at every meal, include plenty of “super-stars”, and you’ll get the nutrients you need.”

Excerpts from Color-Coding Your Menu

Have you been searching for that perfect pair of golden boots or those to die for yellow pumps?

If you answered yes, we have the website for you.

Shoes by Color has made shoe shopping a little bit easier by grouping the shoes you love into color categories from golden boots to animal sneakers.

Find the shoes you want by picking the colors you love.

Want to find what color of shoe works best for you?

Read More Alive with Color to find the shoe that fits best in your seasonal color palette.

Last Tuesday on the Today show Bobbi Brown gave some interesting and useful tips that just might make that “free gift with purchase” work for you.

Lipstick too bright?

Create a new color by mixing the bright color with a beige to tone it down.

If you are feeling really brave you could try using a black lipstick in place of the beige for a more dramatic effect.

Image from Pantone,Inc. “What is Black?”

Eye shadow too bold?

Try adding water to the shadow and using it as an eye liner or use the bright color under a darker color for a more understated look.

The May 2009 issue of InStyle had some additional beauty tips for the skin, lips and eyes.

Skin: Press a sheer concealer around the nose to tone down redness. Try a darker foundation to give warmth over the sunscreen foundation which may make skin look lighter. Layering your rouge with bronzer will give you that warm glow that looks like it radiates from within. Try adding highlighter to temples and cheekbones to enhance bone structure.

Lips: Use a lip pencil in neutral on the entire lip to make your lipstick last then add a dap of gloss to the center of the bottom lip to add shine.

Eyes: Use an at home kit to make brows a shade lighter than your hair color. Highlight the eye with a light cream shadow at the inner corner to catch the light and make your eyes look wider.

From January 5, 2009 edition of Seattle Post Intelligencer

“Purple reigns at Seattle online emporium”

If you are a person who enjoys all things quirky and individual and purple, Adam Sheridan has the store for you.

The purple store is an online website where you can find all things purple.

Let the purple reign begin!

Excerpts from Color: Messages and Meanings, A Pantone Color Resource

by Leatrice Eiseman

Image from Pantone,Inc. “What is Black?”

black is back.

black is mysterious.

black is the night.

black is ambiance.

black is sophisticated.

The Color and Texture Forecast

By Paul Makovsky for Metropolis Magazine

In uncertain times, some manufacturers emphasize subtlety and restraint, while others offer glossy bursts of optimism.

Trend forecasting is a subtle science, comprising equal parts research, intuition, and artful conjecture. It’s also big business, with textile, automotive, and interiors companies laying out huge sums for insight into tomorrow’s consumer impulses. Given the gloom and doom in the global economy, it’s no surprise that positivity is a key motif in marketing circles today.Take Pantone’s color of the year, Mimosa, which, like its bubbly namesake, should nudge viewers (or drinkers) toward a sunnier outlook. “Yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. But color is only one piece of the design-forecasting puzzle-texture plays an essential role as well, particularly when it comes ti textiles, carpets, and wall coverings. To better understand how these attributes are driving product and interior design, Metropolis polled 22 industry experts, asking each to choose a color and a texture that seem especially relevant now. Their answers form a sort of metaforecast of the look and feel of 2009 and beyond.

Pantone’s color seers say earth tones for fall

By Catherine Dayrit

New York–Each season, the world-renowned color experts at Pantone release a report detailing the palette of hues that fashion designers expect to be indicative of the season. And for fall, designers are placing their bets on a rainbow of earth tones, from true red and deep orange to vibrant blue.

“The fall 2009 palette is more unique and thoughtful than the typical autumnal hues of years past,” Pantone Color Institute Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman said in the report. “Designers recognize the desire for fundamental basics that speak to the current economic conditions, but also understand the need to incorporate vibrant color to grab the consumers’ eyes and entice them to buy.”

Helena Krodel, spokeswoman for the Jewelry Information Center, says that what these trends mean for jewelry is a proliferation of large gemstones in earth tones or rich deep colors. The stones will be combined with chain-links or charms in precious metals, making for oversized statement necklaces.

As for basic colors for the season, designers surveyed by Pantone selected “Creme Brulee,” a grayed-down beige; “Iron,” a grounding color somewhere between brown and gray that coordinates well with all colors in the palette; and “Nomad,” which serves as a bridge between the beige and light gray. Such tones serve as an ideal canvas for jewelry, whether that means sticking to the monotone look with one of the all-metal statement necklaces that will be big for fall, or selecting colored gemstones with intense hues that pop.

Leatrice says that of the 10 colors, the neutral Iron received the highest rating from designers, a choice that points to practicality. “Designers are very aware that consumers are conscious of how they’re spending their money,” she says. “They want something very consistent.” She also adds that over the last few seasons there has been more of a trend toward “trans-seasonal” dressing, in which apparel and accessories can be used from one season and into the next, so trends linger and aren’t thrown out the door quite so quickly.

“If you love something, it’s a shame to hang it in the closet,” she says.

The LA Times

By Melinda Fulmer

Do food dyes affect kids’ behavior?

Almost every parent has a story about their kid bouncing off the walls after downing a package of jelly beans or eating a neon blue-frosted cupcake at school. Most blame the sugar.

But some new research suggests that the rainbow of artificial colors may have a bigger effect on children’s behavior. And in other parts of the world, some organizations are starting to take action on these ingredients.

Earlier this year, the UK’s Food Standards Agency, the British regulatory counterpart to our Food and Drug Administration, asked food makers to voluntarily recall six artificial colors in food by 2009, a step many food companies have completed.

And in July, the European Parliament voted to add warning labels with the phrase “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children” to products with the same six synthetic red and yellow dyes, prompting many large food makers such as Nestle to reformulate their products rather than risk a drop-off in sales.

These actions were spurred by a study published in September 2007 in the medical journal the Lancet supporting what some parents and scientists had suspected for decades – that food dyes are linked to hyperactivity, even in kids who don’t normally exhibit this behavior.

“The position in relation to artificial food colors is analogous to the state of knowledge about lead and IQ that was being evaluated in the early 1980s,” says the study’s lead author, Jim Stevenson, psychology professor at the University of Southampton, in a March letter to the UK Food Standards Agency, urging action.

But many psychologists and food scientists aren’t convinced.

“I think the studies are intriguing,” says Roger Clemens, a food scientist and USC professor of pharmacology. “But the clinical data are still wanting.”

“I haven’t seen any science that tells me I really need to be warning parents against these,” says Scott Benson, a Pensacola, Fla.-based child psychologist who treats hyperactive children in his practice.

FDA’s policy

The FDA still considers the nine synthetic colors allowed in food – in grocery stores and restaurants– as safe as long as each production batch has been certified to meet composition standards.

On its website, the agency points to a consensus report by the National Institutes of Health in 1982 that, the FDA says, concluded there was no “scientific evidence to support the claim that food dyes cause hyperactivity.”

But watchdog groups and some scientists say that reference by the FDA is misleading. That same panel, says the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group Center for Science in the Public Interest, also acknowledged that some children already diagnosed as hyperactive and on a restricted diet experienced an increase in hyperactivity when given moderate doses of artificial food dyes and did not experience similar increases after receiving a placebo.

Now the FDA is reviewing a petition submitted in June by the Center for Science in the Public Interest for a ban on eight artificial food colors certified for use in processed food; Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Orange B, Yellow 6 and Yellow 5 (tartrazine), a color the FDA concluded in 1986 is a known allergen to a small group of people, causing itching and hives. (A ninth color, Citrus Red 2, is used only on the skin of oranges to make them more appealing and is not included in the center’s petition.)

The center is also asking the FDA to require warning notices on the labels of foods that contain the dyes – which are already listed on ingredient labels until the ban is in place and to require neurotoxicity tests for new food dyes and additives.

“The safety testing on these [dyes] was done 30 to 50 years ago,” says the center’s executive director Michael Jacobson.

“I suspect the tests are out of date and we have higher standards now that would show positive evidence of harm.”

Suspicion about the effect of food dyes on behavior swelled in the mid-1970s after San Francisco allergist Dr. Ben Feingold published his book “Why Your Child Is Hyperactive,” detailing his research on the behavioral benefits of eliminating food dyes and additives – guidelines that became known as the Feingold diet.

But a string of studies with poor methodology failed to prove a conclusive link in the years following, and the issue, researchers say, dropped off most people’s radar.

Renewed interest

In the last decade, however, scientists have taken up the topic again with some intriguing results.

In 2004, New York psychiatrist Dr. David Schab conducted an analysis of 15 studies on dyes and hyperactivity that he considered to be the most rigorous available.

He concluded that artificial dyes promote increased hyperactive behavior in children who had already been diagnosed as hyperactive.

And two other studies linked artificial dyes to hyperactivity in children who were not already diagnosed with hyperactivity.

The first of these two studies was published in 2003 in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood. Conducted at the University of Southampton, it involved 277 3-year-old children who were given a diet free of artificial colorings and benzoate preservatives for one week.

During the next three weeks, the children received either drinks containing artificial yellow and red colorings and soda preservative sodium benzoate, or a placebo mixture. The scientists and the parents did not know which children received the artificial colors and preservative and which did not.

The results showed consistent, significant improvements in hyperactive behavior during the period when the diet did not contain benzoate preservatives and artificial colorings, as measured by parents’ observations.

Parents reported worsening behavior in their children during the weeks when these ingredients were reintroduced.

On the basis of this and other studies, schools in Wales in 2004 mandated the withdrawal of foods containing these colors from school lunches.

The UK Food Standards Agency then commissioned a second study from the University of Southampton that made headlines on both sides of the pond when it was published last fall.

In that study, 153 3-year-olds and 144 8- and 9-year-olds were given drinks containing one of two different mixes of four artificial colors – the same ones tested before and Red 40 and Quinoline Yellow – and preservative sodium benzoate, or a placebo.

The older children showed a “significantly adverse effect” from both dye mixes, as measured by a parent rating of a list of behaviors including concentration, fidgeting, restless or “always on the go” behavior, interrupting conversations or talking too much and fiddling with objects or their own body.

The adverse reaction of the 3-year-olds using this behavior scale was rated significant for only one of the dye/preservative cocktails. Based on that study, the UK Food Standards Agency asked manufacturers to pull the synthetic colors involved in the study.

So Kellogg’s strawberry Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars that are sold in Britain now contain beetroot red, annatto and paprika extract, while those sold in the U.S. are tinted with Red 40, Yellow 6 and Blue 1.

Mark Meskin, a professor of human nutrition at Cal Poly Pomona, who also serves as a spokesman for the food industry trade group Institute of Food Technologists, says he doesn’t think a wholesale ban on synthetic dyes is necessary, given the modest difference in behavior noted for most kids in the study.

“We’re now seeing small effects [from dyes] but they haven’t been dramatic effects,” he says, “and they don’t explain most of the problematic behavior.”

Meskin also says that the studies so far haven’t been precise enough to pinpoint which artificial colors may have problems. It’s unlikely, he says, that all of them would have the same effect on the brain since they are chemically different and derived from different ingredients – some from petrochemicals and others from coal tar.

New York psychiatrist Schab says the study was the most damning yet in linking artificial food colors to hyperactivity. The degree of observed differences in behavior by eliminating the dyes and preservative, he says, could be enough to lead some parents not to seek medication such as Ritalin for their child.

Going natural

Headlines about these studies prompted Janice Markham, a Los Angeles-based writer and mother of two, to change her shopping habits.

“Anything I can get without dyes I will,” she says. “I look at the packaging on everything.”

Markham and other parents are willing to pay a premium for products that are natural. But to date, most large food makers have not reformulated their products.

“We have not seen any clear-cut scientific substantiation of these claims [of hyperactivity],” says Kris Charles, a Kellogg Co. spokeswoman. “At this point, we aren’t planning any new U.S. product launches with only natural food colorings.” But, Charles says, the company will “continue to monitor consumer preferences and comply with regulations.”

Some food makers such as Kraft are putting out separate Back to Nature lines with no food dyes or preservatives.

But Jacobson says generally, if anything, U.S. manufacturers are putting more synthetic dyes than ever in their products geared to kids, such as Kraft’s Lunchables line and Pepperidge Farm’s Goldfish crackers in a rainbow of colors.

He can’t say for sure if kids are consuming more, however, because consumption figures are not measured. But, he says, the amount of synthetic dyes certified by the FDA for use in food between 1955 and 2007 climbed fivefold, from 12 milligrams per capita per day in 1955 to 59 milligrams per capita per day last year.

Given those amounts, the Center for Science in the Public Interest claims, the amounts of dye being used in the studies are probably less than what most children are consuming.

Food manufacturers, for their part, say they use these colors to make foods more appealing to consumers. Yellow food coloring makes waffles look more evenly golden brown. Red or orange dye makes juice look sweeter.

However, food scientists say all of this can be achieved without using artificial colors.

Food makers “have the ability to do it, but they don’t want to put any effort into it,” says Pete Maletto, a New Jersey-based food industry consultant and food scientist, who has helped companies such as ConAgra reformulate their products with natural colors from plant sources such as beets or turmeric.

Some U.S. companies, he says, have experimented with replacing artificial colors in certain products, but ultimately changed their minds when they knew they would have to charge more.

“It is more expensive. You have to use more (natural pigment) so it costs a little more,” Maletto says. “But if you say ‘no artificial colors’ on the box, you could charge a customer 10 cents more and they would pay it,” he adds.

Maletto and other scientists say the majority of food makers won’t act unless the FDA moves to ban the colors, or they are required to put a warning label on the package.

“It will be the same as what’s happened with trans fats,” Maletto said.

Tasty Human

Blogging about healthy living, self-help, foods and psychology

Color Psychology

Man’s eye can discriminate between very subtle differences in color, and the number of colors we can see range as high as 10 million!

Of course, every person’s eyes perceive color a bit differently, and every culture has its own names for colors so coming up with an exact number may not be possible. There are lots of description, what colors mean, but it’s just common information, as it depends on many factors. We react to colors and associate them to memories, objects, people, and places.

For example many Nordic people find yellow as a color of sun and warmth, whereas Egyptians and others, who live in a similar places find it as a color of desert and death. No one could deny, that colors have an effect on our mind and even body. Here are some interesting examples for you..

Magic pink

One of the most interesting examples of color effects is Baker-Miller Pink – a color that is close to the bubble gum pink . Also known as : “drunk tank pink” this color is used to calm violent prisoners in jails. Dr. Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., director of the American Institute for Biosocial Research in Tacoma Washington, was the first to report the suppression of angry, antagonistic, and anxiety ridden behavior among prisoners: “Even if a person tries to be angry or aggressive in the presence of pink, he can’t. The heart muscles can’t race fast enough. It’s a tranquilizing color that saps your energy. Even the color-blind are tranquilized by pink rooms.” In spite of these powerful effects, there is substantial evidence that these reactions are short term. Once the body returns to a state of equilibrium, a prisoner may regress to an even more agitated state.

In some ancient cultures colors were used for treatment:

– Red was used to stimulate the body and mind and to increase circulation.

– Yellow was thought to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

– Orange was used to heal the lungs and to increase energy levels.

– Blue was believed to soothe illnesses and treat pain.

– Indigo shades were thought to alleviate skin problems.

Tasty colors

Color and the appeal of various foods is also closely related too. Just the sight of food fires neurons in the hypothalamus. Subjects presented food to eat in the dark reported a critically missing element for enjoying any cuisine: the appearance of food. For the sighted, the eyes are the first place that must be convinced before a food is even tried. Colors are significant and almost universally it is difficult to get a consumer to try a blue-colored food (because naturally there are only few blue colored fruits or vegetables and people instinctively don’t accept it as a tasty one) Greens, browns, reds, and several other colors are more generally acceptable, though they can vary by culture. Many restaurants use those colors in their interior.

Some more facts

1. Children see brighter colors (especially blue and purple) than elder. That’s why our memories of our childhood are so bright!

2. People who always are surrounded by one color (for example those who are exploring Antarctica) can have psychological problems.

3. Yellow is most optimistic color and most annoying one at the same time. It is noticed, that children cry more often in the yellow room.

And the best one for the end :

There is a company that markets red contact lenses for chickens. Medical studies showed that chickens wearing red-tinted contact lenses behave differently from birds that don’t. They eat less, produce more eggs and don’t fight as much. This decreases aggressive tendencies and birds are less likely to peck at each other causing injury. A spokesman said the lenses will improve world egg-laying productivity by $600 million a year. Perhaps the chickens are happier because they’re viewing the world through rose colored glasses.

Learn more about the psychology of color in Lee’s book Message & Meanings

Dear Color Lovers,

Thank you for your patience, it must have looked like our color wheel went berserk. Anyway, we’re back after a few colorful technical splatters. We’ve recovered and hope you continue to find our blog a creative source of inspiration!

PRWeb

Press Release Newswire

by Vicky Melen

Beauty Business Staying Strong for Neill Corporation

Experiences, not Possessions, Leads to Greater Happiness for Today’s Consumer

Conde Nast Portfolio recently announced the results of a poll they conducted asking readers where they had made cuts–or were planning to–in their budgets.

Hair color by David Adams for Aveda

In a move that shows a lesser focus on possessions and status and more on experiences, the last area in which cuts were being made, with only 1.1% of readers, is “Stop coloring hair” (after “Stop giving to charity,” “Selling my house” and “Let go of nanny.”) This is the latest information in a string of recent reporting that indicates that buying experiences, not possessions, leads to greater happiness.

This statement also supports the long-held theory that the last thing for women to cut out of their budget is beauty; they still want to look, and feel better, even when going through tough times.

“Being a hair colorist, obviously this information is news to my ears,” says David Adams, president of hair color training company Red Chocolate, and celebrity colorist. “But I think this is about more than just the aesthetic. When women go for professional beauty services such as a hair color, they are hopefully getting a great, personalized and relaxing service as well in a change in their look. We all need some of that, especially now.”

Over the last year, professors at San Francisco State University have been researching consumers’ most recent purchases in relation to how they feel. Participants indicated that experiential purchases, such as a meal out or theater tickets, represented money better spent and greater happiness for both themselves and others; these experiences satisfy higher order needs, specifically the need for social connectedness and vitality. This leads to longer-term satisfaction.

“Maybe this belief has held because money is making some people happy some of the time, at least when they spend it on life experiences,” says Ryan Howell, assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University. “And why they maybe be happier is that experiential purchases may provide ‘positive memory capital.'”

But there is a catch: only up to a certain point, is the experience worthwhile. Within the life experience category, data showed no correlation between cost of a purchase and the happiness reported. “This is a fascinating indicator,” says Howell, “it tells us that when times are tough people don’t need to stop buying life experiences, they just buy the less expensive ones. We know that up to $400 there is no greater happiness associated to the purchase, than, say a $30 experience; they both make you equally more happy than a material item.”

Paris Parker is a line of salons and spas across the Southeast of Louisiana–and a company that has recently seen increases of certain service sales along with the decreases.

Even though customers may be extending their haircuts by waiting an extra 4-6 weeks for a new appointment, women are still seeing their hair colorist on a regular basis, although perhaps getting less concentrated treatments, such as highlights around the face, or a color-melt only, rather than all-over foils.

In addition, more than 20% of all calls answered per day are now requests for value pricing, from men as well as women, leading to an increase in bookings with newer artists. This system supports both the junior artists who need to build their client base, and the customer who is looking for a more economical option–providing a win-win for everyone involved.

“Businesses need to adapt, and they need to do it now,” says Sharilyn Abbajay, Chief Operating Officer for Neill Corporation, owner of Paris Parker Salons and Spas. “It’s time to listen to our customers and adapt to their needs. Every one of us, especially during hard and stressful times, will not compromise on finding a gratifying experience that for a moment creates an escape of pure joy.”

“Whatever the reasoning behind this new research, one thing is certain,” says Debra-Neill Baker, Chairman of Neill Corporation, “…women will always want to look and feel beautiful. Now is a time for business leaders the world over to realize the opportunity they have to make a positive impact on every one of their customers.”

Cleveland.com

Fashion and Style

Marylou Luther

“Yet another comment about mimosa yellow— the color chosen by Lee as Pantone’s color of the year.”

The ‘now’ color for spring and summer is yellow

Dear Marylou:

You told us about the colors for next fall, but what about the colors for the more immediate spring and summer? – J.L., Chagrin Falls.

The “now” color is yellow, especially the shade called mimosa, says color guru Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.

“No other color expresses hope and reassurance more than yellow because it exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun,” she says. New York designer Joanna Mastroianni, whose spring collection is a veritable rainbow of color, says that not only was she drawn to yellow as a predominant color in her collection, but her customers also reacted enthusiastically. “The consumer, especially the luxury consumer, is incredibly direct. If she likes it, she will respond.

“When we started our trunk shows, the consumer came right over to color. I think color reflects the psychology of the moment. Women want to feel better. Color can be uplifting.”

Mastroianni, whose amethyst goddess gown was worn by Alison Krauss as she accepted her Grammy Awards in February, says her overall color inspiration was design legend Tony Duquette, “whose work in costume and set design was always about color.” She calls the dress in her illustration Ms. Sunny Flirt “because she seems really happy, feminine, modern and comfortable.”

By William Loeffler

PITTSBURG TRIBUNE-REVIEW

Yellow makes a spring splash

When the chips are down, break out the yellow.

Color experts are touting the sunny shade as a balm to recession-weary America.

Yellow walls in the kitchen or living room can stand in for sunshine. A yellow camisole or pair of gladiator sandals can add pop to an outfit. And there are hundreds, if not thousands of shades, from saffron to citrus to honey. There’s also mimosa, a golden hue which was chosen by Pantone, a color research and marketing firm in New Jersey, as their color of the year for 2009.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, echoed the Obama administration’s buzzwords in her description of yellow.

“We know that yellow is the color of change and hope and enlightenment,” Eiseman says. “It’s the color that most people associate with sunlight, which gives us a feeling of warmth.” Yellow’s coming-out party may have been the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration, when Michelle Obama wore a yellow sheath dress and matching coat, designed by Isabel Toledo. It was hailed as a departure from the traditional red or blue usually worn by first ladies.

Elsewhere, Oscar-winner “Slumdog Millionaire” featured actress Freida Pinto wearing golden shades of yellow. The mustard-yellow scarf she wore in the scene at the train station inspired many fashionistas to sport their own golden-hued scarves. Michael Kors 2009 spring collection for men features a pair of traffic-stopping yellow clamdiggers paired with a black cardigan, and a bright yellow turtleneck with checked shorts.

“I think that there are many more people who have gotten the message of bringing light into the atmosphere by using yellow paint,” Eiseman says. “But you’re also seeing yellow in housewares. You’re seeing it in small appliances. You’re seeing it in prints and patterns, and sofas and wall coverings and accessories.”

Also, Eiseman says that there are so many different shades of yellow that just about anyone can find one that flatters them.

“There is this urban legend that yellow makes babies cry and makes people more irritable,” she says. “There is no justification for any of those claims.”

Excerpt from Colors For Your Every Mood

By Leatrice Eiseman

YELLOW

Give any child a piece of paper and yellow crayon. Immediately there appears a drawing of the sun, complete with a little yellow rays sparkling optimistically around a big vibrant yellow circle. Child and adult alike feel cheered and comforted when enveloped in sunshine. We instinctively lift our faces to the sun, just as the buttercups and daffodils do.

From the beginning of time, humans have worshiped the golden glow of the sun. The association of yellow to the sun is universal. For many ancient civilizations, yellow and its glimmering sister of gold were deified and sacred. Because of their proximity to the heavens, these colors signified divine love and enlightened human understanding.

In most cultures gold also expresses status and prestige. It is the most precious of all metals. The pursuit of turning a baser metals into gold (a process known as alchemy) may have been practiced a far back as 3,000 B.C. with the Egyptians, who first developed the technique of gilding. In medieval times this chemistry flourished, but it died out with the arrival of Descartes and the Age of Rationalism in the 17th century.

Because of the ancient associations of sun and gold to the gods, this most perfect of metals was equated to the perfect spirit The golden-yellow aura that meant power for the Egyptians came to mean glory in the Christian world. In Western Christian civilizations, gold-leaf backgrounds of sacred paintings and altar covers signify salvation and divine glory.

In classical times, yellow was the color of the sun god Apollo. It stood for generosity, nobility, widow, and divinity. In ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, the bridges and priests wore yellow because it was considered sacred.

In most languages, it is almost impossible to separate the meaning of gold from yellow. The English word for yellow is derived primarily from the Indo-European ghelwo, “related to gold” or “to gleam.” Additional inspiration for yellow names comes from less lofty sources: flowers, animals, vegetable, fruits and minerals: LEMONADE, DANDELION, PRIMROSE YELLOW, NUGGET GOLD, CANARY YELLOW AND POPCORN.

Visit Colors For Your Every Mood for more information about yellow

Elle

Fashion/Fashion Spotlight

By Candace Lombardi

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF POLITICAL FASHION

A look at how color and style choices in Washington convey messages in politics

When Michelle Obama showed up for her first day on the job wearing a lemon-colored shift dress and coat combo, her Inauguration Day attire wasn’t just another example of her heady sartorial choices. Her classic yellow tweed Isabel Toledo ensemble, whether the first lady knew it or not, had a political agenda in mind. In fact, the sunny shade, a seemingly unconventional color for a city mired in red and blue, first debuted in political circles during the suffrage movement.

At the turn of the twentieth century, politicians wore a yellow rose in their lapel if they were for the Nineteenth Amendment (granting women the right to vote) and a red rose if they were against it. As a result, yellow is seen as a positive political color today, according to Dr. Mary Ellen Balchunis, a professor at La Salle University who specializes in women and politics.

Purple, a color used in suffrage banners because it was said to stand for dignity—and a hue oft spotted on the fashionable first lady—can also signal a positive attitude. While many politicians wore blue or red ties to indicate blue-state or red-state loyalty during the Bush administration, purple is worn to signal a spirit of bipartisanship, according to Laura Schwartz, political consultant and former director of events for the White House social office during the Clinton administration.

Sometimes a trend even becomes a classic. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright wore lapel pins, many of them by Ann Hand, Washington’s reigning patriotic jeweler, as a way to convey her mood throughout her tenure.

”The pin trend that started with Albright developed in the ’90s and has completely held its value. It’s now a timeless piece in political fashion,” said Schwartz. Today, Ann Hand wearers include Laura Bush, Elizabeth Edwards, Tipper Gore, Theresa Heinz Kerry, Cindy McCain, and Condoleezza Rice.

Lifestyle changes also carry over into political fashion. “As the first lady, Hillary Clinton wore a lot of St. John clothing, and it really flattered her,” says Schwartz. “When she ran for the Senate in 2000, she switched to more tailored pantsuits to break from her softer first lady role, but she kept the look feminine by adding vibrant color, like bright pink, under her suits.” Then during her presidential campaign, she went even bolder with colored pantsuits: “When you’re at a rally with 5,000 people you’ve got to stand out among the other politicians onstage,” says Schwartz.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has also turned to vibrant color as a way to assert herself visually at press conferences alongside the plethora of congressmen in dark suits.

During the Bush administration, tech gadgets became fashion accessories. BlackBerry, iPhones, ID badges on lanyards, and building passes on retractable reels worn on the belt became de rigeur. Always having to be reachable, in touch with incoming news, or equipped with a high-tech pass sent the signal that you were indispensable.

While some thought the country’s current economic state might force fashion to take a backseat during the Obama administration, a classic look has already popped up as a trend, according to Paula Baxter, curator of exhibitions at the New York Public Library. Baxter produced the “Rakish History of Men’s Wear” exhibit and maintains the library’s blog on American fashion history.

”The one thing I have picked up on and am watching for a steady rate of appearance is a tendency of men shedding jackets and appearing in their shirtsleeves,” says Baxter. ”This is meant to convey readiness to go right to work, a critical psychological factor with today’s economic crisis.”

Mrs. Obama’s casual office look could also be an attempt to connect with and court government bureaucrats, for example, during visits with the Department of Energy and Department of Education. “Looking relatable to them is just as important as connecting with the American people,” says Balchunis, “since it’s the men and women in the agencies that can determine whether President Obama’s policies are successfully implemented.”

Furthermore, Mrs. Obama’s trim and casual look ties in with her promotion of healthy eating and helping moms balance work life with family life. “I love that she goes to J.Crew,” says Balchunis. “Especially in this economy, it would send a terrible message if she relied only on expensive designers like Jackie Kennedy did. People are losing their jobs and their homes. To see the first lady in expensive garb would turn off a lot of voters.”

Skin Inc.

Excerpt from Approachable Beauty

by Abby Penning

How can color image consulting be enhanced during this gloomy economy?

Dawning in the midst of a gloomy economy, spring, the traditional season of renewal, may not seem as refreshing this year. However, the incoming cosmetics colors – richly undertoned neutrals that blend with bold shades of blue, red, pink, green and yellow – may be just the thing to break through the gray gloom.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and founder of www.morealivewithcolor.com, agrees, noting that the array of exciting hues now available in shadows, lipsticks, blushes and even mascaras can help keep things interesting for those providing cosmetics services. “Makeup has got to offer alternatives,” she says.

“It’s about what looks good and works for different skin tones, and makeup is more experimental and doesn’t cost as much, so you can play with more options,” Eiseman explains. “We can’t ignore that elephant in the room—the economy—but when you are going through bad times, people don’t aspire any less to looking good.”

Super          Fushia          Salmon    Lavender      Vibrant

Lemon          Red                Rose                              Green

Palace Blue Lucite Green Slate Gray Rose Dust Dark Citron

This information was compiled from Pantone, Inc.’s Spring 2009 Fashion Color Report. Pantone, Inc. is a global company that standardizes the language of color. The Pantone Color Institute studies physiological aspect of color and forecasts color needs. Leatrice Eiseman is the executive director for Color Institute and founder of morealivewithcolor.com The color names above were assigned by Pantone, Inc.

Eiseman expects to see gilded eyelids for the spring, with just a light gold or silver dusting for the daytime and a little heavier hand playing a part for nights. “We started in the fall with gilding everything, and that’s going to continue into spring, with maybe just a little softer version,” she says. “Match with that yellow, which is such a big color in fashion right now, because gold and yellow are natural companions. The color of the year for 2009 is mimosa yellow, which is a softer, kind of chamois type of yellow. Then there is also super lemon, which is incredibly vibrant and offers another variation on the yellow theme. One is more subtle, while the other is more of a bold, summery shade.”

Eiseman continues, “Lavender is continuing the purple trend that was big in the fall, but it transitions to spring with a softer, more summery hue. It’s lightened, and almost has a mystical aspect. And there’s also palace blue, which is like a royal blue, but not quite. It’s very vibrant and not dark like a navy, so it ends up very classic and with a great bit of sparkle.”

The blending trend is also something Eiseman has caught on to. “The neutral colors in fashion are being used as a background to bounce the other, bolder colors off of,” she explains. “One of the colors, a rose dust, is really a beige with rose undertones, so it’s not just taupe-y gray, but has a really interesting note underneath. There’s also a slate gray, which has very decidedly blue undertones. With cosmetics, you can really build around that undertone, bringing the colors across the face, beautifully coordinating a look and keeping it from being boring.”

If you think creating a cohesive look with this season’s bold colors seems to present a bit of a challenge, there are a few tricks you can use to help any makeup look magnificent. One is balancing the face using opposite colors on different features. “There’s more of a use of complementary colors together—those colors across the wheel from each other,” says Eiseman. “Experiment with opposite colors, blues and purples with the yellows and oranges. For example, if you have purplish lipstick, you can do gold gilding on the lashes, or if your eyes have lavender touches, you can have more of a warm-based color on the lips.”

The key is, even if things are tough and makeup’s colors seem mismatched to the mood of the country and client, these brilliant hues are actually what you can look to for inspiration. “If the colors are dismal, they can lead to being more depressed, so maybe it’s the time to wear something with color to make yourself feel better,” Eiseman suggests. “You can’t ignore what’s going on, but you find ways to keep your spirits up, and colorful cosmetics can definitely help with that.”

Whether that means indulging in a wine-hued mascara, gold-flecked lip gloss or beautiful new bronzer, tight times and the rebirth that comes with spring can be a boon to makeup offerings. “Get out of the ordinary,” Eiseman urges. “That’s the beauty of cosmetics. You can try new colors in accents and touches, and it helps create a bridge to using more of that exciting color. And the spring is really the best season to try something new.”

In other fashion news, Joy Sewing of the Houston Chronicle Online writes about spring colors, and quotes Leatrice Eiseman as saying, “In fashion, color often reflects what’s going on in the world around us. Bright colors can help conjure feelings of happiness, while more subdued tones evoke a sense of calm.” Sewing goes on to discuss how black and white have also taken a backseat to color this season.

Women’s Wear Daily

The Tone for Tough TImes

by Cecily Hall

Top 10 Pantone Colors for fall

Designer palettes for fall seem to acknowledge the major issue of the day – the recession. “The most popular colors for fall really represent a thoughtful palette. That’s a direct outcome of what’s happening in the world around us, said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, which surveyed designers showing at New York Fashion Week to determine the most directional colors. She said the selection of somber, neutral colors still has rays of light that will keep things interesting. Designers are aiming to comfort people – but at the same time, they have to still grab consumers’ attention,” she said. Some, such as Kimora Lee Simmons for Baby Phat, worked in patriotic colors. “In times like these, consumers have a tendency to return to patriotic colors,” Eiseman said.

PANTONE 18-1306

IRON

Iron is the new black. Eiseman of Pantone said this shade of gray has a brown cast, “which makes it a warmer, stronger gray. And it’s not as foreboding as black.” Its practicality and dependability make this shade a staple for most apparel items in one’s wardrobe, she said. Consumers can combine it with more dramatic colors in the palette, such as number-two-ranked Purple Heart, Honey Yellow (#5) or Rapture Rose (#6). “By using this color, designers are acknowledging the practical, but mixing it with other colors in the palette will offer some uniqueness,” Eiseman said. Designers who incorporated this color into their fall collections include Carmen Marc Valvo, Reem Acra and Charlotte Ronson.

PANTONE 18-3520

PURPLE HEART

Elie Tahari and Shaun Kearney for Cynthia Steffe weaved this deep version of purple into their collections. “Purple is the most creative and complex color,” Eiseman said. “It has been so strong the last two seasons, and because people have been holding onto what they have, they’re more comfortable with purple now.” This particular shade, she noted, is a fresh version, “but it’s still comforting to people.” Mixing the color with other palette favorites, such as eighth-ranked Warm Olive or Nomad, ranked ninth, “is a way to take basic color and give it a more creative punch.” Eiseman added that many designers may be seizing the opportunity to incorporate the color into their accessories pieces, such as jewelry and scarves.

PANTONE 19-4125

MAJOLICA BLUE

Lela Rose, Brian Reyes and Maria Pinto – whose inspiration for fall was “a sense of smoky calmness” – played with this variation on blue. “The blues, along with the grays, are considered the most dependable, steadfast constant in people’s wardrobes, Eiseman said. She added, “It’s not dull, because it has some interesting undercurrents and more complexity. It could be described as a deep teal blue. ” Playing colors such as Honey Yellow and Warm Olive against Majolica Blue “make this color the kind of thing that all kinds of different consumers can reach for in their wardrobes.”

PANTONE 19-1759

AMERICAN BEAUTY

“Here’s the feeling of patriotism at its finest in this palette,” Eiseman said. “This is a true red, meaning that it has some cool undertones and some warmth. It’s a beautifully balanced color, so it’s easy for anyone to use.” Designers Yigal Azrouel and Alice Temperley for Temperley London worked this shade of red into their collections. Eiseman said American Beauty is an ideal color for retailers because it has broad appeal and it looks good on so many people. She also admitted that her first thought when she saw the color was to wonder how Michelle Obama and her daughters, Sasha and Malia, would wear it. ” I would think that designers are really going to try hard to interject this color into her wardrobe,” she said.

PANTONE 16-1143

HONEY YELLOW

“Honey Yellow is this fall’s example of how important yellow has become to people,” Eiseman said. Because of the deeper tone, “It’s more subdued, which makes it the perfect color for autumn.” Christian Cota, who described his inspiration fro the season as “imagining taking a trip to the center of the earth and back, exposing layers of minerals jagged edges of rocks,” played with Honey Yellow, as did James Coviello. Said Eiseman: “Combining Burnt Sienna(#7) with this color is a classic, but one that’s more unique would be mixing it together with Rapture Rose.”

PANTONE 17-1929

RAPTURE ROSE

A bright spot in the palette, Rapture Rose is a surprise for the season. “This color isn’t typical at all, but I think that designers are turning to it for a need to see a feminine and playful, but still very warm, color,” Eiseman said. She added that Rapture Rose could combine easily with most other colors in the top 10, especially Iron, Burnt Sienna and Warm Olive. “Another idea would be to mix it with American Beauty – reds and pinks together are unexpected, a real attention-getter.” Tadashi Shoji said of Rapture Rose , one of the most important colors of his collection: “The color’s freshness and vividness offer a bright future and clarity in an economic climate that desperately needs a stimulus plan.”

PANTONE 17-1544

BURNT SIENNA

Christian Siriano incorporated Burnt Sienna into his fall palette, saying his inspiration was Egypt: “Through the richness of the sand and through the stone of the architecture – each color is warm, bold and has the feeling of luxury.” Alvin Valley and Rebecca Taylor worked with the color for fall, too. Burnt Sienna is a fall’s answer to orange, but Eiseman pointed out the red and brown undertones which makes it a much more versatile orange than others. “It’s very dependable, it speaks of autumn and it’s a classic with a color like number-one-ranked Iron,” she said. And mixing it together with colors such a Honey Yellow or Warm Olive would add more dimension to any item. “You could also take this and give it a twist with a color like Purple Heart.”

PANTONE 15-0646

WARM OLIVE

“People can recognize the complexity going on with Warm Olive,” Eiseman said. This variation of green is a spin on the typical greens one thinks of, she noted. “It’s not your usual citrus spring green. Because it has a lot of yellow, it’s more exotic than a spring color.” She said the green family returned to the spotlight in the Nineties and has steadily climbed. “It’s been really strong lately, because working with greens is not a trend – this idea of ‘green’- everyone gets it. Designers are concerned about being eco-conscious.” Along with designers such as Pamella Protzel Scott for Ella Moss and Adam Lippes, Thuy Diep for Thuy also worked with this color, noting that her inspiration was “a sense of renewal and optimism.”

PANTONE 16-1212

NOMAD

David Rodriguez and Catherine Malandrino included Nomad in their palettes for fall, as did Tracy Reese, Reese also noted that her most important color was arrange of different beiges, “which serve as a foundation for pairing with rich and saturated brights.” Eiseman said, “Both Nomad and Creme Brulee [#10} are an acknowledgment of the fact that we need to have good, practical colors anchor the others colors. They can provide the background for a brighter color. “We’ll see this color quite a bit in outerwear, but if a woman buys a coat in Nomad, she can complement it with a sweater in Rapture Rose underneath.”

PANTONE 13-1006

CREME BRULEE

“This is a great neural color that goes with everything else – put it next to any of the colors in the top 10, and it works with any on them,” Eiseman said. She noted that Creme Brulee is really a warmer, softer variation of the color white for the season. “Something we’re seeing on the red carpet is a return to lighter gowns —off-white, white— I think it’s an ongoing influence,” she said. Nanette Lepore, Wichy Hassan for Miss Sixty and Kimora Lee Simmons for Baby Phat all worked with Creme Brulee for fall.

Elizabeth Wellington of the Philadelphia Inquirer Online writes about Slumdog Millionaire’s finale, and notes, “I thought it was extremely interesting that in the final scene of the movie of the year, Latika, played by Freida Pinto is wearing the Pantone Color of the Year, mimosa yellow.” Wellington also quotes Leatrice Eiseman as saying, “It’s everywhere. This shade is about warmth and sunlight, hope and optimism. It’s about looking forward to a bright future.”

A tidbit about pink’s color meaning

Excerpt from Lee’s book COLORS FOR YOUR EVERY MOOD

Physiological Responses to Pink

In word association studies, light pinks are described as soft, tender, romantic and cute. These tints also conjure up sweet tastes and sweet scents. Dusty pinks are perceived as soft, soothing, cozy, romantic, rosy, subtle, yet sophisticated; while bright pinks are seen as exciting, happy, hot, trendy, attention-getting, energetic, youthful, fun and spirited.

Pink and Personality

If You Love Pink: Tempering passion with purity, pink is softened red. A pink person is less showy than a red person, but that does not mean there is less substance there. Pink’s personality is variable. in its softer tints, it is demure and romantic-still related to red, but not as ardent. People who prefer pink are the soft, tender friends. Romantic and refined, they are upset by violence of any kind. If you love pink, you are talented but not over ambitious.

If You Dislike Pink:

If you dislike pink, the naivete, innocence and sweetness strike you as cloying, even a bit “wimpish.” You long for the passion that was removed from red.

NEWS.com.au

TRAVEL NEWS

By staff writers

Pink dolphin draws in tourists to Lake Calcasieu in Louisiana

NO, you’re not seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses: This albino dolphin is pink.

The unique bottle nose – first spotted in Lake Calcasieu, an inland saltwater estuary in Louisiana, by boat captain Erik Rue, 42, in 2007 – has surfaced again.

And comments from heavy-hitters including the US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society suggest it’s real.

Tourists are flocking to the lake in hopes of seeing the rare mammal.

Mr. Rue said “Pinky” “looks like it just came out of a paint booth”.

“I just happened to see a little pod of dolphins, and I noticed one that was a little lighter,” he told London’s Telegraph newspaper.

“It was absolutely stunningly pink.

“I had never seen anything like it. It’s the same color throughout the whole body.”

“Pinky” is believed to be the only pink dolphin in the world, and has “reddish” eyes. It is usually spotted with its dark grey mother.

There are only 14 other known albino dolphins in the world, all of them white.

“The dolphin appears to be healthy and normal other than its colouration, which is quite beautiful and stunningly pink,” said Mr. Rue, who estimates he has spotted Pinky more than 40 times.

“The mammal is entirely pink from tip to tail and has reddish eyes indicating its albinism. The skin appears smooth, glossy pink and without flaws.

“As time has passed the young mammal has grown and sometimes ventures away from its mother to feed and play but always remains in the vicinity of the pod.

“Surprisingly, it does not appear to be drastically affected by the environment or sunlight as might be expected considering its condition, although it tends to remain below the surface a little more than the others in the pod.”

Albinism is a genetic condition caused by a lack of melanin. It is seen in many species, including humans.

The international attention focused on the dolphin has led to warning from conservationists.

Senior biologist with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Regina Asmutis-Silvia said people should not get too close to the dolphin.

“It is a truly beautiful dolphin but people should be careful, as with any dolphins, to respect it – observe from a distance, limit their time watching, don’t chase or harass it,” she said.

There have only been two other documented sightings of albino bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, both of all-white mammals and both in 1994.

Pink Dolphins?-Truth!

truthorfiction.com

The Truth:

The pictures and the story are true. As indicated in the eRumor, the original pictures were taken on June 17, 2007 by Captain Erik Rue of Calcasieu Charter Service, a company that does hunting and fishing charter trips in Louisiana.

The pictures were taken on Lake Calcesieu, an estuary north of the Gulf of Mexico in Southwestern Louisiana.

There is a species of what is called “pink dolphin” that lives in South America in the Amazon river. This sighting in Louisiana, however, is considered rare because it appears to be a bottle nose dolphin but pink ones are virtually never seen.

Marine Biologist Dagmar Ferti told ESPN that it was an albino calf and that bottlenose calves don’t have much blubber so the the blood circulating under the skin is more visible, especially if the calf had been working hard to swim. He said this sighting was only the third that he knows of in the Gulf of Mexico. There have been 13 total sightings dating back to 1962.

There is also a species of Humpback dolphin called the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin found mostly in Southeast Asia. Some of them have pink-colored skin because of blood vessels used for keeping the body temperature cool during exertion. One of them became a celebrity in Thailand and also a focus of controversy. The dolphin got caught in fishing nets during the summer of 2007 and ended up in a resort on the island of Samui in Southern Thailand. When reports surfaced that the dolphin was being trained to entertain tourists an outcry rose among animal rights activists. The government says the dolphin is scheduled to be rehabilitated and released back into the the gulf of Thailand by early 2008.

A note about my Annual Color/Design Training Program held this summer on verdant green beautiful Bainbridge Island in Washington State.

• Do you want to spread your creative wings, discover new markets and expand your horizons?

• Would you like to give your business opportunity to grow in the coming years?

• Are you going to gain in recognition?

• Are you interested in developing more color expertise for your own consulting business or advancement within your company?

If you have a background in color and a passion for color, you could have potential in the color consulting field.

Lucrative and creative color opportunities do exist in many industries. You could be the one to guide companies through the myriad of color choices. They often need professional advice on how to use color effectively. But you need more than a love of color to get you there. You need to know the way. You need credible, verifiable information based primarily on the emotional aspect of color taught by the leading expert in this field.

In my 25 years of color consulting to many leading industries I have constantly broadened my areas of expertise. What has taken years of painstaking research, energy, time and effort is now condensed into a four day “how to” program that will enable you to enhance your career development as well as your income potential for you or your employer.

If you are employed in a company where increased color knowledge would be to its benefit, this is a program to consider. Some companies have found this program to be so valuable that they have covered the tuition cost in addition, with the current economy many companies opt to outsource color work to independent consultants.

If you own your own company or see yourself owning your own consulting firm, how diversified is it or will it be? If your services include color it would be a logical expansion to consult for many other applications in industry and it would help you broaden your client base as well as increase your earning potential.

Read some of what my former students have to say about the program…

I so enjoyed your classes. You are an excellent teacher and I appreciated the pace ad the dedication on your part to impart as much of your wisdom as you could within the timeframe. I also appreciated the kind of knowledge you graciously imparted.

Ann King

Thank you so much for an amazing seminar. I went home Sunday night feeling inspired and excited about the future. The information that you provided answered all of the questions that were hindering me from moving forward.

Melissa Moss

I had a wonderful experience there with you this past week, and am feeling very empowered, much as I expect I would have felt had I jumped though the last burning hoop of Ph.D.

Constance De Witt

Colby Unique Gems

Contemporary Designs in Dynamic Color

By Barbara Colby

GEMSTONES

Some gemstones (like pearls, coral, and amber are classified as organic), meaning that they are produced by living organisms. Others are inorganic, meaning that they are generally composed of and arise from minerals. Stones that are identified as “synthetic” are created in a laboratory (as opposed to natural gemstones, which are created by natural processes without human help). Below is a glossary of some of the gemstones featured in Colby Unique Gems line.

AMBER

Amber is an ancient organic gemstone, and is composed of tree resin that has hardened over time. According to the GIA, the stone must be at least 1 million years old to be classified as amber; some amber can be up to 120 million years old. Amber can come in a number of different colors, ranging from yellow to a golden orange to red. Most of the world’s amber comes from the shores of the Baltic Sea in Eastern Europe.

AMETHYST

Amethyst has historically been the most prized gemstone in the quartz family. It is treasured for its purple hue, which can range in tone from light to dark. The finest amethyst will have strong color saturation and a medium to dark reddish purple or purple color. Its attractive color, along with its affordable price compared to other precious gemstones, make amethyst consistently one of the most popular gems.

BLACK ONYX

Black Onyx, a member of the Chalcedony family, is a gemstone made up of tiny microscopic crystals. It is a very popular gemstone in both women’s and men’s jewelry because its black color acts as a great complement to white metals like sterling silver, as well as clear crystals and CZ’s. Most black onyx on the market today is treated to give it its dark black color. Black Onyx is sometimes fashioned into faceted beads.

CHALCEDONY

Chalcedony is a type of quartz. It is classified separately because, unlike other forms of quartz, it is composed of very small microscopic crystals. It can come in a variety of looks and colors. Several types of semi-precious stones discussed separately – including Black Onyx, and Jasper – are varieties of Chalcedony.

CITRINE

Citrine is known for its stylish yellow to brownish color, and is generally considered the top selling gemstone of this color in the United States. It is a member of the quartz family, and has a crystalline structure.

CORAL

Coral is an organic gem that comes from skeletal remains of sea creatures (which are themselves called Coral). The most common colors associated with coral jewelry are pink and red. Coral requires pristine environmental conditions to grow, meaning that producers must maintain calm waters free of pollution. According to GIA, coral is believed to have been used in jewelry for about 30,000 years.

EMERALD

Emeralds are one of the three main precious gemstones (along with rubies and sapphires) and are known for their fine green to bluish green color. They have been treasured throughout history, and some historians report that the Egyptians mined emerald as early as 3500 BC. Today, emeralds are increasingly being used in faceted rough-cut designs that provide a bold look at an affordable price.

GARNET

Garnet is most commonly a deep red to purplish red gemstone with a cubic crystal structure. Garnet is considered an affordable alternative to more expensive red gemstones like rubies or tourmaline, and goes particularly well with sterling silver.

JADE

Jade is most commonly associated with the color green, but can come in a number of colors as well. Jade is closely linked to the Asian culture, history, and tradition, and is sometimes referred to as the “stone of heaven.”

JASPER

Jasper is a semi-translucent to opaque gemstone, of the chalcedony family, that comes in a variety of colors. Oftentimes, jasper will feature unique and interesting patterns within colored stone. Picture jasper is a type of jasper known for colors (often beiges and browns and swirls in the stone’s pattern).

LAPIS

Lapis is an opaque gemstone often featuring a deep midnight blue to violetblue color. It frequently contains gold colored pyrite flecks sprinkled through the gem, making each piece of lapis beautiful and unique. Lapis is a versatile gemstone that is used both in classic and contemporary jewelry styles.

OPAL

Opal is a gemstone that comes in a kaleidoscope array of colors. It is typically formed in desert areas over long periods of time from layers of silica deposits deep underground rock. It is known for its “fascinating play of color” that occurs when light interacts with the opal’s silica layers. Much of the opal on the market today is synthetic.

PERIDOT

Peridot is a bright green gemstone that provides the style and look of an emerald at a more affordable price. According to the GIA, some historians believe that Cleopatra’s famous emerald collection was virtually Peridot. Peridot is one of the softer gemstones on the market, with a hardness of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale. Peridot most commonly originates in volcanic areas that are rich in iron and magnesium.

QUARTZ

Quartz refers to a family of crystalline gemstones of various colors and sizes. Among the well-known types of quartz are rose quartz (which has a delicate pink color), and smoky quartz (which comes in a variety of shades of translucent brown). A number of other gemstones like Amethyst and Citrine are also part of the quartz family. Rutilated quartz is a popular type of quartz containing needle-like inclusions.

RUBY

Rubies are known for their intense red color, and are among the most highly valued precious gemstones. Rubies have been treasured for millennia. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is “ratnaraj,” meaning “king of precious stones.” Although rubies can command one of the highest price per-carat prices of all precious stones, they are increasingly being used in “rough-cut” faceted designs at much more affordable prices.

SAPPHIRE

The most popular form of sapphire is blue sapphire, which is known for its medium to deep blue color and strong saturation. Fancy colored sapphires in various colors are also available. In the United States, blue sapphire is the most popular and most affordable of the three major precious gemstones (emerald, ruby, and sapphire). Like emeralds and rubies, sapphire is increasingly being used in rough-cut faceted designs that provide a strong, bold look at an affordable price.

TIGER’S EYE

Tiger’s Eye is a gemstone known for its unique and rich striped brown color, which, as its name suggests, can resemble the patterns on a tiger’s coat. It is a member of the quartz group of gemstones. It has a microcrystalline structure, meaning it is made up of crystals that are smaller than those of quartzes like rose quartz and smoky quartz, but larger than the crystals of chalcedony group of gemstones.

TOPAZ

Topaz is a bright clear gemstone which is often used to create bold, eye-catching designs. The most popular variety of topaz in the market today is blue topaz, which is a bright light blue color and is relatively inexpensive. This color is produced with irradiation and heat treatment (in nature, topaz is most often colorless). Pink topaz is another popular variety of the gemstone.

TURQUOISE

Turquoise is found in only a few places on earth, and the world’s largest turquoise producing region is in the southwest United States. Turquoise is prized for its attractive color most often intense medium blue or greenish blue and its ancient heritage. Turquoise is used in a great variety of jewelry styles. It is perhaps most closely associated with southwest Native American jewelry, but it is also used in many sleek, modern jewelry styles. Some turquoise contains a matrix of dark brown markings, which provides an interesting contrast to the gemstone’s bright blue color.