The Year for Green

Every year for the past 16 years, Pantone has released a colour that illustrates societal trends and is of influence to visual and design trends for the year ahead. Not just for Fashion, to name a few this also includes homeware, interior and industrial design. How is this decision made? Colour experts look for influence in areas like entertainment, new artists, fashion, design and popular, recommended travel destinations. Also added onto the list is the influence of lifestyle conditions.

So, the Colour of the Year...

2017 is the year for everything Green.

Greenery. A fresh and zesty yellow-green shade evoking the first days of spring. This signifies new beginnings, a fresh new year with the typical 'healthier food resolutions' and growing vegetarian trends. The fresh scent of the neatly cut grass and the outdoors during the early spring into summer. Although most specifically, Pantone '15-0343' reaches out to us of the concept of the environment. So it is without a doubt Pantone are very keen for us to 'go green' all year long.

"Greenery is about unity and community - connecting to oneself and others and a higher purpose, Nature" Laurie Pressman, the Pantone Colour Institute's vice president.

Greenery also referred to as 'Natures Neutral"has been more prominently worn during spring and summer encouraging to become this years fashion statement. Greenery was especially prominent walking on this years latest runways in the styles of Kenzo, Gucci, Michael Kors, Zac Posen, Bagelencia and Cynthia Rowley. It is not exactly drawing us to the piece of clothing, it is definitely the opposite being Nature itself. In this day of age nature isn't exactly the first thing that comes into our heads. Since the rising of new technology, nature had become the minority. Fashion is at its best with the newest trends in retail becoming the craze and yet all we care about is the way we look rather than the way our environment is presented. However we are starting to believe in a change. The end of 2017 is upon us and there is a growing desire to reconnect with Nature. We are searching for what is real and searching for ways to remove ourselves from technology. Nature is free.

'Greenery' Trousers are shown walking the runway. Gucci Spring/Summer 2017 Show. Greenery was taking on the dominant role in the past seasonal trend.

(Left) Greenery was prominent on the Kenzo Runway this year.

(Right) Nature is calling in the Lacoste Spring 2017 Collection.

Lacoste Spring 2017 Ready to wear Collection - The Unexpected...

It was an idea of an 'endless Summer.' The intentions were minor however fresh and crisp in the state of comfort and natural flow. This was far less of a standard than one may expect from Lacoste. You can at least say this is a piece which is softer and less technical.

Greenery is a very distinctive shade. It calls to the mind of refresh, restore, revive, renew, replenish, regenerate and to be honest it calls to all of the 're' words. It is a little shade for creating fresh beginnings. Personally, I would never imagine having green in my wardrobe. Thinking about this now I feel as though I haven't even had one green piece of clothing. If don't find green appealing to you, why not try out Pantone's selection of 10 palettes pairing Greenery with neutrals, brights, pastels, deeper tones and metallics. At least there is a better possibility of finding your taste. Greenery lends itself to many other colour combinations.

https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2017

How to wear 2017's Winning Shade?

Picking a shade of Green to wear may not be an easy task. It is best to learn what tones work well for you.

Pale or fair skin work better with darker hues rather than light. Darker colours contrast well with the skin. Unlike soft, pastel or bright shades. These need to be avoided as they will only wash you out.

If you're olive or medium skin toned most colours work well for you. Although for saying that, shades that are too close to the skin tone need to be rid! These have a habit of blending in with the skin which I highly doubt are people's intentions.

People with a darker complexion are able to work with any colour. You should make the most of the brightness and the bold choice of colours as anything can really work best.