February 2008

GDS - International Event for Shoes, Leather Goods & More

Colour & Fashion Trends
Autumn/Winter 2008/2009

Tones Travelling through Time.

The past stands for tradition, the Here and Now stands for modernity and looking to the future is visionary and pioneering.

Looking back to tradition is associated with warmth and cosiness, classics and ambition (colour theme: Timeless). The present means modernity, globalisation, media worlds, computers, speed plus intense and radiant colours (colour theme: Dynamic). In contrast to this, the future thrives on visions – virtual, cool, futurist and correspondingly “spacy” colours: metallic, cosmic (colour theme: Virtual).

 
Colour Trend: Timeless

 

Tradition, Personality and Classics.

 

This colour story focuses on timelessness, durability and classics rather than nostalgia and vintage. Looking back it becomes clear that luxury always prevails in the form of finest materials and can therefore never be out of fashion.

We are reminded of the wood and leather of well-kept period furniture which naturally shines thanks to constant polishing.

 

In this theme we find high-quality materials (e.g. the return of crocodile) and tones exuding warmth and comfort that are synonymous with nature. Especially rich brown shades fulfil this demand. To avoid monotony these shades can be complemented with slightly sharper nuances such as typical spice tones – curry, saffron, chilli – or shimmering metallic tones like copper and brass. Classic ocean and burgundy round off this colour theme designed to meet the most discerning demands.

 
Colour Trend: Dynamic

 

Dynamism and Vitality. Bold Colours – also in Winter!

 

Powerful, unadulterated colours! Though with a wintry slant, i.e. exuding less radiance than in summer, these colours have an electrifying effect since monochrome colours are preferred. They are used prominently and for wide expanses of colour or as contrasts with/contours for black and grey.

Colours reflect city lights, neon signs and graffiti. These are combined with ethnic influences and a touch of folklore. The colour theme revolves around cyclamen and red, dark violet and electric blue, petrol and plasma green. This requires courage and healthy self-confidence but ensures wearers make a grand entrance.

 

Fabrics and/or leather in these colours are mainly smooth and untextured. Shine in the form of patent leather, for instance, remains important.

 
Colour Trend: Virtual

 

The New Neutrality – the New Non-Colours!

 

The focus is on grey and black.
The buzzwords for this trend are:
futurist – technical – cool – dark – mysterious – mystic.

 

This colour scheme stands for cool detachment, uncertainty and being away from home. While it is cool and clean on the one hand, it is also vague and spiritual, on the other. Translated into materials and textures this produces an alluring blend of technical and natural materials that excel on shining surfaces. This is why metallics and patent leather continue to set the fashion tone while suede and velvety surfaces produce deliberate contrasts.

 

Serving as a source of inspiration here are winter skies with clouds in all shades of light and dark grey. The palette includes nuances of blue and violet to green hues. Added to these are metropolitan grey tones, the colours of architecture, the colours of construction materials like stone and cement, metal tones like iron, chrome, steel and mirror effects.

Source: http://www.gds-online.com