Oh my goodness, hello lovelies. It's been far too long hasn't it? I have been a very busy girl of late- our pop up shop went swimmingly, I jumped on a plane to Miami and went to Art Basel and had the absolute best time...more on that tomorrow cause I wanna share what I saw there. And this am I was at a breakfast for Dress for Success, an organization for whom I helped write and produce a book to tell the stories of some powerful and amazingly beautiful women. It's been a pretty cool couple of weeks, but because of all of the activity, my little blog has suffered. But I'm back and here for you and ready to gab. So let's do it.
As many of you know, Radiant Orchid was selected as Pantone's color for 2014. As a huge fan of 2013's color, Emerald, I was a little bit head scratchy about this choice, and I was not alone. I read with amusement a piece in the Guardian that compares the purply hue of 2014 as the color of "unwanted discount cashmere cardis and own-brand fleece jackets". The article also posts a picture of Prince, the queen of purple himself. But whether you love purple or not, it's hard not to get enthused by the thinking behind the color choice.
According to Pantone, Radiant Orchid, "is a color-wheel contrast to green", said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It’s a little different, it’s a little off the beaten path, and it’s not a primary color,” she explains. “It’s an invitation to innovation. The purple family offers (an) opportunity to do creative things. People associate purple with creativity and originality —and those are very valued today". I love the look below (think it's Ralph Lauren), combining 2014's big color with 2013's green hue. Very pretty and lovely against the skin indeed.
And on
Pantone's website, the officially company line is that the hue is
“an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” It does flatter many skin tones, and since it was my grandfather's favorite color (he loved when my grandmother wore it), I think I can get down with this purple thing. I enjoy the sentiment of creativity and the symbolism of joy, love, and health. If I can have all of those things by giving purple a chance, then why not?
And though I may not go head to toe (there is the inevitable fear of Barney-like fashion crimes), I can absolutely see this color being lovely on nails, lips, and accessories. But I will say I loved Max Mara's collection for Spring, which incorporated the new hue beautifully. I adore this slip dress which would be beautiful with a tan, and this kimono like jacket with the orchid base color is fabulous- I can see the purple as a base for beautiful prints, and I also love it as a minimalist statement on simple satins- that's most likely how I would do it- keep the shape simple so the color can, well, radiate.
In the home it can be lovely too- simple accents from pillows to bedding have a sensual, bright, yet somehow soothing feel. And though it's not quite as bright as the Pantone pick, how much do you love Caroline Issa's look above? Super chic and pretty, and maybe it's about taking this hue and making it your own- you can stray a bit from the true color and do something more your own thing. After all, that's what creativity is all about, right? I think this happy color may be just what the doctor ordered- something fresh, creative, blooming, and alive. And on this snowy day in New York, conjuring up a warm weather orchid does not seem like such a terrible idea. Cause that's what's up this purple rain/snow of a Tuesday in the 212. Yours, in Prince songs, and boy is it nice to be back. XO
