Challenging times require calming colours
It seems that gender sensitivity is a growing trend. Even in the design industry it has started to manifest itself in the creation of images, symbols and colours representing ‹gender equality›. Traditionally, pale pinks and blues have always been used to represent girls and boys – especially when babies – but this was not enough for the famous colour creator, Pantone. They›ve developed some beautiful new colours – as they do every year – and for the first time ever have announced a pair of beautiful hues as their ‹Colours of the Year.›
Pantone’s ‘Colour of the Year’ is meant to represent trends in culture and design as a sort of snapshot of what’s going on in contemporary culture, and that holds true for 2016.
The warm pink of Rose Quartz and the tranquil blue of Serenity are meant to be soothing and evoke a sense of peace in these stressful times. But the colours are meant to represent much more than that. Pantone Colour Institute Executive Director, Leatrice Wiseman, stated, “In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted colour trends throughout all other areas of design.” While blue is typically seen as a male colour and pink generally female, the lighter shades of the colors blur stereotypical gender associations and according to Wiseman, “[coincide] with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity,” as well as, “the consumer’s increased comfort with using colours as a form of expression.”
Nowhere are the two colours stronger than in fashion, as seen on the backs of celebrities, on catwalks around the globe and on our streets.
The two colours were put together by Chanel in its Autumn 2015 collection. Prada did the same for spring/summer, as did Fendi. Thom Browne put the colour merge into his 2016 resort collection for women, while Richard James and Roberto Cavalli used the two together for men in their Spring 2016 runway collections.
Blurring gender lines on catwalks had Valentino showing pale pink athletic-inspired shoes for men with a band of Serenity blue, along with leather backpacks showing off geometric splashes of the same shades.
But the real news is that men are exploring, and they’re experimenting with their other side – a side that isn’t fearful of traditionally fearful colours.
Interior designers are providing advice on how to blend the two colours in the modern home setting, including which colour sits best in which room. Accessorizing a plain, pale room with the mix can provide a calming effect.
Most daring are those who are using the colours on their hair – for those men and women looking for something other than a radical change or bleached blonde highlights, these colours work perfectly to pep up a dated style. Others have been transforming their nails with the colours – another multi-million pound industry that relies on colour trends.
The choice of Rose Quartz and Serenity serves as more than just a statement on design, but as a reflection of an evolving society. Wiseman’s mention of shifting conceptions of gender and sexuality ties a uniquely progressive statement to these colours, reflecting the notion that individuals can find a colour they feel happy to wear and that enables them to express their feelings.
