Colour in fashion design

J. A. King

Research output: Contribution to Book/ReportChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Colour has always been of significance in the fashion industry and has entered our everyday language to conjure up images of particular garments appropriate for specific situations: the little black dress; the crisp white shirt; the perfect blue jeans; the sober grey suit. Such associations between colour and garments crosses cultural boundaries too, with many brides around the world insisting on a white wedding even if their own culture demands a very different form of traditional dress and colour codes. The chapter will aim to introduce specific colours adopted by the fashion industry in recent decades, and why particular designers are associated with colour 'signatures'. It will also examine the colour lifecycle in fashion, and how colours can slowly develop over a number of seasons, while others remain exactly the same year on year.There will be a section outlining the major changes in the pace of fashion in the last 30 years, and the implications for colour development within such a fast-paced contemporary industry. Why has fast fashion developed so quickly? Could it be the increasing consumer demands fuelled by the cult of celebrities worldwide? Most notable, the changes in the way in which fashion is consumed, with the rise of the online retailer many young consumers are viewing and purchasing fashion online, mainly from handheld mobile devices. Conveying accurate product details, including colour and pattern to such consumers is of fundamental importance to designers and brands. The conclusions will summarise the information presented and suggest future implications for the global fashion industry.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationColour Design: Theories and Applications: Second Edition
PublisherElsevier Inc.
Chapter13
Pages299-315
Number of pages17
ISBN (Print)9780081018897
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 23 Jun 2017

Publication series

NameColour Design: Theories and Applications: Second Edition

Keywords

  • Colour
  • Design
  • Fashion
  • Trends

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