By Kathy Morris, Creative Director, Euromic, US
Each year I review cultural and fashion influences on colours and trends, with the plan of keeping our product fresh and in line with market trends. Success for any consumer product is tied to predicting those trends, and this is one of my primary goals.
Colour is critical in attracting attention, and making your product successful to your customer base. Using the right colour in your product can help draw attention, and create greater sales. In 2010, I expect bright vibrant colours to take center stage, reflecting energy and excitement as the economy picks up. Bright greens, blues, turquoise, pinks, and energetic orange shades will be popular, making the product reflect a more vibrant, upbeat style, reflecting consumer demands.
Other trends we will see continue, are the focus on retro looks, with increased pairing of different period looks with each other. Distressed looks and mixing high and low end pieces together will be popular, meeting consumer goals of individual style and budget control at the same time. 70’s themed designs, mixed with modern accessories will be popular for the same reason. The 90’s minimal design approach of simple styling and clean lines will be in vogue, and remain strong.
Certainly the global trend of “going green” will continue to draw attention and influence a growing section of consumer’s choices. This market segment will rely on earth tones that tie into the overall environmental focus. Various shades of greens, along with sky and ocean blues, are key colours for this market. In addition to colour, the concepts of organic, self-sustaining and environmentally friendly products are critical in the design and implementation of products for the “green” market.
Flesh colours will provide a new twist for the high street fashion outlets. Expect shades of greys to be abundant in fashion, home décor, and accessories.
Colour and consumer preference trends are critical to designing and selling fresh, leading edge products, and every year we are focused on using these trends to help make our products more successful than ever.