The Fashion Illuminati


Ever wondered if there was a fashion illuminati that dictes what colours will be on sale years in advance? Well there is, they are called the Colour Media Group and it works like this...

"The official line is that they look at economic trends (pastels in bad times, saturated colors in good times) and also examine social trends. What this boils down to is six hundred people sitting around in small groups, trying to figure out the next big thing. Gray, for example, was chosen in part because of the craze for technology and space-age stuff as the millennium approaches: “People associate gray with futuristic things like silvery metallics and anodized aluminum,” a CMG spokeswoman said. And why blue? “Water is a big social issue, what with the current emphasis on designer water and water conservation.” (Slate, 1998)
Via Boing Boing.

I love clothes but am fickle when it comes to fashion. I simply hate looking the same as everyone else. Apparently green is the next big thing this year, but with the myriad shades New Zealand greeen (even in winter) you'd simply blend into the landscape. Which brings to mind a French and Saunders sketch. Laura Ashley was big in the 80s. The were the ultimate purveyors of floral and chintz. Dresses, wallpaper, cushions, hats - you name it they chintzed it. I will never forget Dawn French's grin floating in a sea of chintz.

JAFAs should keep their eyes peeled in August as Dawn and her husband Lenny Henry will be in town for Lenny's new comedy tour. They sneak into the country from time to time on holiday, and are said to be very fond of Auckland milkshakes. I wonder how they feel about chintz.

For more about the fashion trends and colours for 2004/2005 go to Fashion Era.