I have recently deleted my pastel color board on Pinterest with pins gathered since 2013 since I felt it was quite dated. But to my surprise pastel colors are on rise again. They were really huge a couple of years ago, and you find today two pastel trends which are a) a more velvety powder look and b) vivid pastel colors.
Jonathan Baldock | WGSN | Bureau sacha van de potter | Kollektiv Plus Zwei
The main difference is two new colors which are geranium and lavender (the corresponding Pantone codes are linked) you see in this first grid(#3 and #5).
This color trend has been eventually called Soft Pop and is forecasted with similar images for S/S2016 by other great experts such as WGSN. I do see the candy colors already for this year and believe they are still actual next summer with probably a slight move towards more vivid tones. This season they are still pretty chalky (if you search for a nice chalk paint brand, try Auténtico – the color palette is really beautiful) and often muted.
Candida Hofer | Xiao Li | CC Tapis | Martina Lang
What makes this trend so interesting is the fact that these colors are applied to pretty much any creative field. I have stated on the keywords sum up nine of them but could easily add another three like flower styling, hair (beauty would the then refer to cosmetic only) and jewelry.
Pastel colors used to be applied to rather playful designs often with a touch of humor or even created with a pretty kitsch approach. But the change towards a much more sophisticated design is probably the major novelty here.
Clare Kenny | Union Magazine | Suite One Studio | Atelier Biagetti
Pastel colors started already getting more ‘mature’ last year when paired with a neutral background, different shades of gray or even black (that would be a different post though).
What is really huge are pastel hair braids, wigs and anything around pastel-colored hair.
Pale pink is the one that stays fresh every single year and has been adopted to men collections too. We start seeing a transformation towards unisex colors meaning there is no specific lady or gentleman color but both gender openly share. Well, this is what we observe on some fashion shows but we might still have a lengthy path ahead of us to make that a reality. Thoughts? G, x
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19 Responses
Es una gama de colores que realmente me fascina.
El pale pink es el que más me gusta y lo utilizo, con el resto estoy un pelín ‘peleada’. Utilicé el mint durante mucho tiempo, y ahora ya ni verlo:-) Un abrazo!
Oh I love the pastel trend Gudy (not a big surprise I suppose :P) So true about the hair, I noticed many people getting candy hair colors in Milan. Looking forward to see if the colors appear at Salone del Mobile! Have a great day! x
Me too, very curious to see if we go pastel again two years later.
There is so much color prediction going on, and it gets difficult to really define color trends. Let’s trust in the Salone:) x
Beautiful sophisticated palettes as you have mentioned the appeal is still hanging in for the muted shades again very much with a multi-purposed application.
Personally I am also into the stronger colours and the two compliment one another well.
I like the Geranium colour that does add an interesting pop….and lavender is a tricky one in fashion prints….however they do compliment one another…..Maybe I will do a few print experiments for you using your palettes and see how they work in fashion prints…. I will keep you posted.
I compose trends for fashion print design / graphic and colour direction. As well as print designing. Ive added my website url please feel free to truffle my direction boards are labeled inspiration information on the left hand side.
And I see no division between the different markets its all becoming much more symbiotic….and fluid…I think that can only be a good thing.
Thank you Gudy I enjoy looking at your directions very much I hope you find some inspiration in mine too.
All the best .
Mirella.
Oh, I would love to see how you apply these in fashion prints. Thanks so much for sharing then!!
Totally agree on the fact that several creative areas now all kind of connected and fashion does not stand alone as THE trend forecaster any more.
Already knew your site but thank you so much for commenting and linking back!! G,x
Btw, there is quite a bit coming in lavender/lilac. Have a look at this sum up: https://fashionatclick.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/the-color-report-for-ss-2015/
Thanks for the link…..Lilac works best on dark skin….will send you some prints….via email…..Kind regards.
Mirella. x
oh im soo sooo in love with pastel colors!!! Love this post
Me alegro, thanks for commenting, Blanca!
Thanks Gudi!! This post comes exactly on time with Spring knocking on our door. Here in Tel Aviv it’s Spring already and the pop pallet is definitely spreading. Beautiful ✨
Interesting to hear that! People are pretty dark dressed still over here. Have a great Sprint time then! :)
I love the pastels really much. Just received the designs from Jurianne Matter whom I asked to create a christmas card and gift tags for la mesa. And the color moodboard I gave her: pastels : ) After your lovely post I’m even more happy with the decision. Hugs, Sabine
Oh, pastels for next winter? Interesting, pale pink was kind of surviving but for the rest everything was very monochromatic in b&w. I think it’s a nice idea! Looking forward to discover then the design she does for you! x
Thank for this post – i love the chalky pastels – could have them forever ☺️ Your newsletter is wonderful Gudy – always looking forward to wednesdays – thanks for your hard work!
Thank you so much for these kind words, they mean lot! x
Especially when spring starts I tend to like these colours more – but its very easy to get tired of them as well. I painted our bedroom in a green pastel colour – really nice, but I am already tired of it! And that was 4 months ago, haha!
Personally I am very in to the darker colours now – dark green, petrol blue, grey/green, grey/blue …
And for the hair – I think I skip that for myself and leave it for the braver ones! :)
Thank you for a great post! Have a great day!
Same here, loads of moody colors but hey, pale pink is my fav and I use it quite a bit in my wardrobe to brighten up the day. Fort he hair? Yep, I skip that too though I really like it. There is this grayish blue which looks fantastic…:)
Pastel tones are not normally what i gravitate towards – but agree that these tones are more sophisticated than candy. The underlying grey in the pastel makes a difference I think – actually walked past a shop this afternoon with a soft pink kaftan that caught my eye, now i know I will have to go back and get it!
Haha, the influence of the internet:) Why not? Soft pink is here to stay, reports say we’ll see it still in 2017, so go for it!