September 19, 2013
If you ask me who was the first person to start the personal color movement I would say it was Susan Caygill, based in San Francisco.
Now long gone, Susan first started her business in the 60s. I only met her once, briefly in the 80s, when I lived in Los Angeles, but my memory of her at that time is still so vivid.
Susan had a certain way about her. She was definitely not one to be ignored with her fabulous head of red hair and the way she carried herself. Susan was truly a cut above in her approach to personal color and she commanded top dollar to share her knowledge with you. She had quite the following and it would not be out of the ordinary to be in a consultation with Susan with a few of her staunch supporters in tow. Creating a beautiful personalized color palette was often a group effort.
As the personal color movement was slowly gaining steam it was not uncommon to have the support of other ladies who were enjoying their new found color confidence. As I was working on my book, Alive With Color, which was published in the early 80s, I too had the support of some wonderful women who all shared my love of color. This was a wonderful time and I have some lifelong friendships as the result, a few of whom I mentioned in the dedication of my first book, which is now out of print but has recently been updated as More Alive With Color.
Out of print
Even though the Seasonal color palette is not my approach to personal color, we both share the belief that they key to finding your best colors is found in one’s hair, skin, and eyes, as well as emotional attachments to color. I devised the Color Clock system based on the time of day as I felt it was more inclusive of those countries that don’t experience winter or fall and is more inclusive of the hues found most frequently in natural settings.
Personal coloring isn’t about rigid rules. I never say that you can’t wear colors simply because they aren’t in your personal Colortime palette. I encourage my clients and readers to embrace all colors with an objective eye. This is one of the most important factors that has helped me most in my color career.
It is never too late to have your colors done. If you are interested in learning your personal colors, or having your colors done professionally, or want to become a personal color consultant, please visit my website morealivewithcolor.com.
Have you had your colors done? Are those colors still working for you? What is your Colortime?
I love working with the Color Clock system it really resonates with my clients here is Sydney Australia. Thanks for sharing your color movement story.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment. It means a lot to hear that my system works for you and your clients. Is there a predominant Colortime that you see?
I had my colors done in the 80’s, I was told I was a summer. I have both your books, Alive With Color and More Alive With Color, and I have read them many times! I am intrigued by your ideas on color because I have just never found myself to fit in the usual seasonal systems. I also love that you “allow” black, LOL. I keep checking Amazon to see what you’ve written lately . . .
Thank you for sharing your personal coloring experience. Did you identify with your “summer” coloring? What Colortime palette are you most drawn to? The next book should be coming out sometime next year.
I never felt comfortable with the summer palettes I saw over the years, I tried to wear them, but some of the colors were awful on me! None of the other seasons really fit me either.
The one that comes the closest for me is from you, the midday one. I think maybe I just have a touch more contrast (naturally light hair and dark eyebrows) and I lean ever so slightly cool so I can’t wear some of the yellow-orange colors.
I love colors, even the ones I can’t wear, so I am really drawn to reading about it. I can’t wait for your next book!
Your commentary on the seasons is exactly why I wrote my books. It makes me happy to hear that it works for you and that you are one to embrace all colors.
I live in Cleveland Ohio and am very interested in getting my colors done and learning how to help woman going through hair loss feel better about themselves and learning the keys that you have to help change their lives and feel so much better about themselves. Is there a consultant in this area that you could recommend?
Our closest consultant to you would be in Pennsylvania, which is about six hours away as I Googled it. Her name is Ela and here is her email address elaszymanska@yahoo.com. If that is too far you might also find my book helpful for your immediate concerns. We are always looking for new consultants too. My online training would help you to understand the concepts to enable others in their personal color endeavors. Please let me know if you have any more questions and thank you for stopping by and commenting. http://morealivewithcolor.com/Book.html
Thank you.
I would be interested in learning and being trained
Julie Hallum.
Email me at questions@morealivewithcolor.com if you have any more questions, Julie.