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Pantone unveils the colours for AW15

By Danielle Wightman-Stone

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Fashion

It’s that time of year again, with New York Fashion Week in full swing, when Pantone, the global authority on colour, unveils which colours will be making waves for autumn/winter 2015, and it looks like the designers are edging towards an “androgynous approach” to colour, which Pantone describes as the first “unisex colour palette.”

For autumn/winter 2015, it looks like fashion designers are still having a Seventies moment with earthy tones ranking highly in the top 10 colours for women and men, along with bold colour statements and patterns, which Pantone says reflects the landscape of “hope, fun and fantasy” as well as all things natural.

Commenting on AW15 colour report, Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said: "Juxtaposition of colour from opposite sides of the spectrum emphasizes poise and confidence on the runway.

"The Fall 2015 palette is rooted in multi-faceted, androgynous colours that can be worn to portray effortless sophistication across men's and women's fashion; it is the first time we are seeing a truly unisex colour palette."

Pantone names top colours for autumn/winter 2015

The report states that it is the use of colours that aren’t typical gender assigned, such as neutrals like Desert Sage, a cool and soothing greenish-grey, and dried herb, a variation of olive that Pantone calls “sophisticated and chic”, which are evolving the colour palette this season as designers look to define both a masculine and feminine interpretation of hues and colour combinations.

Other key colours include the colour of the year, Marsala, a rich red-brown hue, which has been used by nearly 14 percent of NYFW designers participating in the report, which works well with the blue hues of Biscay Bay, a teal, cool blue that is one of the “most universally flattering colours”, and a darker blue, Reflecting Pond that Pantone calls “thoughtful, contemplative and composed.”

The palette that Pantone says plays homage to progressive moments in American history right from the seductive 1920s to the bohemian hippie and modernist movements of the 1960s and 70s, also features a powerful blue-grey hue, Stormy Weather that is reminiscent of the sky on a grey, overcast day, Oak Buff, a mellow, comforting and warming golden-yellow, and an optimistic, warm hue, Cadmium Orange that evokes a sentiment of “optimism, fun and fantasy.”

There are also two bright colours to round off the palette, a tactile and soft pink, Cashmere Rose, which was highlighted by Rihanna’s frothy Giambattista Valli gown at the recent Grammy Awards, and Amethyst Orchid, an intriguing, vibrant and sensual hue that when layered with Cashmere Rose and Cadmium Orange makes for a bold statement.

The colours have already been spotted on the catwalk, with Amethyst Orchid being the centrepiece of Tadashi Shoji’s collection, Jason Wu opting for the sophisticated Dried Herb, while Rebecca Minkoff displayed Masala in her rock-inspired collection.

Images: Pantone AW15 Colour Report