Pretty, playful colors that flatter almost every skin tone are blooming this season. Coral, plus cooler (pinker) and warmer (more orange) variations of coral, take center stage in fashion and jewelry as well as in makeup.
The Pantone Color Institute named Honeysuckle (a deep, rich pink, described by Pantone as “a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season’s palette”) the color of the season. However, what I have observed is that it is another hue in Pantone’s top ten colors for spring 2011 that seems to be receiving even more play in the fashion press. That color is called Coral Rose, a hue described as “Spicy, gregarious and persuasive” and “a sophisticated orange that . . . conjures up feelings of faraway lands and locales.” And while Pantone lists Honeysuckle as a top ten color continuing into fall 2011, a decidedly orange hue called Emberglow in the fall 2011 top ten list confirms that bright, warm hues will play a significant role through the end of the year.
Illustration: Honeysuckle, the “color of the moment” as introduced in the April 2011 issue of InStyle.
The March 2011 issue of Glamour advised its readers of five things to know that month, including: “One Color: Coral, Coral, Coral” stating: “Attention, shoppers! Pantone, the color people, announced 16-1349 (Coral Rose) as one of the fashion colors for spring. . . . After spotting it at Marc Jacobs, above, Marni and Mulberry, we couldn’t agree more. The earrings pictured are from Gerard Yosca.
The color coral is, of course, named after the marine creatures that compose the reefs in the seas and which are the subject of efforts to ensure their sustainability. The May 2011 issue of Town & Country reports: “This season the focus is on coral, which showed up on the runways of Prada, Max Mara, and Yves Saint Laurent. The most literal, and classic, way to embrace the trend is with a choker of coral.” The article pictures strands of natural red and pink coral beads from Seaman Schepps New York; a Yossi Harari necklace of pink sponge, sapphire and oxidized silver, and a Siman Tu necklace of branch coral. Anthony Hopenhajm, president of Seaman Schepps, states, “Layering strands of coral looks just as stylish as wearing heaps of pearls.”
The marine creature coral is resplendent in a range of hues, from palest angel skin to deepest red coral. Add to those variations hues that trend more pink or more orange, and the result is a delightful mix of warm colors, one prettier than the next. However, not all the hues are equally easy to wear on all women. The March 2011 issue of Real Simple magazine asserts that orange is the color of the season, but immediately cautions that rosier variations may be more flattering on many women: “Those with dark, olive, or tanned skin can pick from the whole Tropicana spectrum. The paler among us fare better in shades with a pink undertone, like coral or poppy.” An orange top from Forever 21 is pictured accented with drop hoop earrings (another major trend) from Jennifer Rose. The April 2011 issue of Glamour contains dos and don’ts for wearing orange, “the season’s hottest color.” Coral morphs into cinnamon hues with the addition of brown in a fashion spread in the March 2011 issue of InStyle.
The February 2011 issue of More magazine contains a four-page fashion spread featuring actress Idina Menzel and entitled “Coral Riffs: The Season’s Coolest Color, in Shades That Sing.” In the first photo, she wears a dress in a bright coral color from Diane von Furstenberg with a set of coral bead bracelets with pave diamonds from Susie Fox.
Another photo from the More spread shows Menzel in softer shades of coral, wearing a silk dress from Elizabeth and James, a mohair scarf from Old Navy, and coral, pearl and pave diamond necklaces from Susie Fox.
The May 2011 issue of Marie Claire displays the eye-catching trends of dark eyebrows and hair taken to new heights, and accents a jacket by Nina Ricci worn over a floral bra by Paul Smith Womens with an antique coral necklace from Kentshire worn together with pearl necklaces from Mikimoto.
Honeysuckle, coral and orange are often seen mixed together. For example, here is an ensemble pictured in the March 2011 issue of Elle consisting of a bright pink silk top from Lanvin worn with coral resin earrings with Swarovski crystal detail from Kenneth Jay Lane. The skirt is also by Lanvin.
Another mix of deep hues is seen in this look from the November 2010 issue of Elle which combines a pink lambskin dress from Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere with a coral and shell necklace from Oscar de la Renta. Beneath the ensemble are two metal and enamel bracelets from Chanel.
Similarly, utilizing pastel hues, this ensemble pictured in the April 2011 issue of Lucky combines light pink with pale coral. The only jewelry pictured is a pink flower ring from Kate Spade. Other credits: top, threadsocial.com; shirt, Walter; pants, DKNY; bow clip, American Apparel; pumps, Maison Martin Margiela; leather bag, Z Spoke Zac Posen.
The February 2011 issue of O, the Oprah Magazine features a coral-colored stretch bracelet from RobertaChiarella.com and notes that “Coral pairs perfectly with the beige shades that are popular right now.”
A yellow gold and platinum ring with coral, enamel and diamonds from David Webb is featured in the May 2011 issue of Elle.
The April 2011 issue of InStyle includes as a fashion editor’s picks a long metal and resin necklace from M Style Lab: “The coral-colored beads are such a nice shade for summer. You could wear this long necklace with anything.”
The pretty, warm hues of the season are exquisite accented with yellow gold. Here is an ad for a Jessica Simpson draped chiffon dress from Dillard’s that appears in the March 2011 issue of Glamour. The three-dimensional goldtone floral design earrings, bracelet and ring are not credited.
Finally, here’s a pretty display of the peachy pink colors in a fashion spread from the March 2011 issue of Elle magazine, featuring the longer length disco dress style that is back in fashion. The jewelry shown consists of a metal and crystal bracelet from Azzaro and a lambskin flower brooch from Natalia Brilli.
After a long winter and far too much difficult early spring weather, the feel-good hues of coral, orange, and all manner of variations of peachy pink help put us all in a springtime state of mind.
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