RAINBOW REIGN

The spring 2018 palette from global color giant Pantone is inspired by London and New York's Fashion Weeks

Back in 1963, the founder of the New Jersey-based corporation Pantone, Lawrence Herbert, developed a standardized color matching system that's today the most widely used system for designers and artists. For decades, the company's Pantone Colour Institute has garnered loads of publicity for its annual "color of the year" announcement every December. For 2018, it's Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that's referred to as mysterious, spiritual and intuitive.

All this isn't just for design, of course; fashion is a focus for Pantone, too. In September, the institute released its fashion color trend report for spring 2018.

Romantic, sentimental and refreshing, the spring palette features 12 hues from London and New York's Fashion Weeks, with several shared between the two. Also for the first time, four classic colors that transcend seasons have been highlighted. According to Pantone, encouraging self-expression and feelings of optimism and confidence are the key messages it aims to convey with this particular palette.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

Most of the color names are fairly self-explanatory, though a few require some detail. The slightly bluish-green Arcadia gets its name from the "unspoiled land" in Greece, situated on the country's Peloponnese peninsula. Emperador is named for the world's largest brandy maker, originally from the Philippines. And Almost Mauve, which doesn't quite look like the pale-purple mauve we're accustomed to, seems closer to beige or off-white.

LONDDON FASHION WEEK

Two rosy shades and Pink Lavender, which is also a soft violet rose, arouse the tender sentiments and affectionate charms associated with the season. Spiced Apple, which highlights brown with a red undertone, adds a hint of warmth and substance; it corresponds to the chocolate-infused brown Emperador and the earthy brown-based red Chili Oil in the New York palette.

CLASSIC COLORS

They don't call them classics for nothing. A great combination of warm and cool, light and deep, the four neutral shades are suitable for men's and women's wardrobes all year round. If you're bored with that cold-toned pure white, plain warm-toned vanilla white, or grey-toned off-white, the rich Coconut Milk offers a nice alternative.

(China Daily 03/03/2018 page20)