Fall Fashion Forecast:: Useless Hype or Inspiration?

by Patty Lakinsmith

Do you pay attention to the seasonal fashion trends when you create, or are your pieces inspired wholly from within?  I have to admit, I have visited the Pantone site before out of curiosity mostly, but I have to admit that I've never been much of a fashion type.  Occasionally I will set out to create jewelry made to specifically coordinate with the colors in certain clothing I own, but that's the exception, not the rule for me.  I will definitely admit to being inspired to try different color combinations that I see echoed in prints that women are wearing.


Here's what they've been saying about this fall (since February, I might add):

“Designers take a painterly approach to fall 2011 by artfully combining bright colors with staple neutrals, reminiscent of how an artist would construct a stunning work of art.”

Pantone's "Sensible and Spirited" color palette for Fall, 2011.

Honeysuckle, Pantone's Color of the Year.

 Cool.  I think I might have accidentally bought a blouse recently in this color, although the tag inside actually describes the color as "Dark Retro Rose".  Here it is:

It's close, but maybe not the Color of the Year.  All I know is that I love it, it coordinates beautifully with the brown linen suit I wore it with, it really brings out a nice summer glow in my skin when I wear it, and  it allowed me to get the hell out of the store.  But you know, now that I think of it, I bought a blouse last year that's pretty much this same color. How on earth did they know?  Yes, I'm cynical.

Do any handmade jewelry artists really use this stuff, or is it just a lot of hype?  I guess if you're in the market to create jewelry that coordinates with what's on the fashion racks it might be helpful to pay attention to these forecasts.  But not all artists are even able to work some of these colors into the type of things they make, depending on the materials they use.  


All I know is that I found this delicious strand of fossilized coral at the gem show, and had to sit down and make some beads to complement them.  There's a lot of variety in each of the beads, which suggests many possibilities.  Now I'm thinking add some other gemstones to the mix that bring out the rose (salmon?) a little more, some antiqued brass, and I might have a nice piece.

Do you take your creative cues from fashion trends?  How many times do you find yourself wearing the "Color of the Year"?