Colour informs us – of danger, of changing states in nature and feeds us emotionally. Colour can be used to attract or to camouflage. Connecting to colour is like connecting to our emotions. It enables us to express ourselves, to make choices, to connect. It influences our mood, our preferences and has the power to transform. It explains why colour selection can impact behaviour in different contexts – why do many brands choose blue in their logos and avoid red in their offices?
There is no doubt that in a similar way to scent, colour is highly evocative in memory association. I can remember, with such clarity, the colour of my grandma’s purse which she would deliberately place into my hand, wrapping my fingers carefully and tightly around it, when I became old enough and responsible enough to run errands for her at the local shop. Gosh, I felt so grown up. Some 45 years ago. It was the softest leather, with a gold clasp and two pockets and was a pretty lavender shade. I remember too wearing a navy pvc pinafore dress with a frilly collar white blouse underneath it when I was about 7. And a pillar box red, wool dress with a leopard print Peter Pan collar dress, with thick white tights and black shiny patent leather shoes, for special occasions when I was maybe 10 or 11. This is what is known as personal colour association.
Of course, colour can also have cultural significance too – white for weddings in our traditional western culture to symbolise purity or death in some Asian cultures for example. Red is seen as a symbol of Apartheid in South Africa, love in Western countries, good luck in Chinese culture and purity in India.
Each colour has a unique psychology too. Yellow is considered emotionally stimulating and helps us feel more confident, positive and optimistic. However, conversely, too much yellow can irritate, leading to anxiety and depression. As with all colours, there are many tones of yellow. From warm sunflower to cool lemon sherbet shades.
When conducting colour analysis, similar colours are grouped together but the colours are only similar in tone.
So, for instance, the Spring palette has colours which are all warm, translucent and bright. They are colours with happy energy that we might associate with Springtime. I often refer to these as the colours of the Tropics – strong, vibrant colours.
Summer palette shades are more serene, cooler in nature and are reminiscent of the colours in a watercolour painting. They are soft, slightly muted, grey-ed, smokey, velvety.
Autumn colours are yellow based, warm shades. The colours of the fallen leaves in Autumn, muddied browns and sludgy greens. Rich, warm, soft, earthy, vibrant (Spring colours with black added).
Winter colours are the colours of jewels – bold, clear, cool, bright, vibrant, icy and dramatic. This is the only palette that contains pure white and pure black.
The colours within a palette will work with each other, creating harmony and it’s this magic that will naturally unlock when a client has a colour analysis and their palette diagnosed. The ultimate aim is that, over time, as garments are replaced in a client’s wardrobe and it then contains only clothes in the correct palette, then all items will work together making outfit selection fool proof and seamless.
Confidence through colour is the tagline for my business because this is my experience and I hope that it will be the experience of my clients too. I genuinely believe that by connecting with your ‘true’ colours then colour will repay you with confidence, uplifting your very being and has the power to create physiological changes which are totally transformational. If a colour is right for you, you will have a natural healthy glow to your face. If the colour is incorrect it is likely to drain, drown or age you. It may create dark shadows under your eyes leaving you looking tired and washed out. It’s important for the colour consultant to also consider a client’s personality and preferences. It would be unwise to advise a shy, timid personality type to wear gregarious Spring colours.
So, you see there is a lot to this colour thing! Finding one’s true colours on so many levels can be uplifting and empowering and once you’ve found them, you’ll never look back.
Book a colour consultation with me today!
