Colour and trend perspectives for sports apparel 2013

Colour Perspectives for Winter 2012/13 and Summer 2013

based upon the IDEAS colour forecast fall/winter 2012/13

The IDEAS colour forecast fall/winter 2012/13 was inspired by the idea of the “PUZZLE”.

The capacity to decipher perplexing issues and to solve difficult problems is an essential survival skill and part of our daily lives. As we recognize that we have to rethink our lifestyles and break habits, this capacity is needed more than ever to path the way to the future.

Following the idea of a puzzle, IDEAS has defined six different colour stories for the winter season 2012/13:
swinging particles, criss-cross, strictly playful, beyond the obvious, re-arrange and joined together.

Please find a short description of each single colour theme on the following pages.

“swinging particles“ is a story about the body in motion – stretching beyond boundaries and floating freely. Colourful with blurred and hazy effects.

The colour palette is bright and breezy yet with a cool attitude. Shades of turquoise and pink set the tone. Icy grey and vibrant yellow illuminate the range. Dark navy and a delicate grey as background.

Some keywords concerning fabrics:

• fabrics with a delicate touch shiver softly
• high-performance suppleness
• discreet shine & crystalline effects

„criss-cross“ stands for a theme about the hybrid spirit of our time. A bold assemblage of nearly everything with a touch of nostalgia.

An array of creamy rather neutral colours. Edgy dashes of intense cobalt blue and coral red. A delicate colour atmosphere as framework for a highly individualized look.

Some keywords concerning the appeal of fabrics:

• fabrics with rustic and refined surfaces
• brushed and woollen aspects
• hand-made aspects for an individual look
• knit

„strictly playful“ – the joy of creation. Discover and develop with passion. Liberate your mind to innovate and proceed.

Eye-catching reds dominate a colour palette packed with energy.
Deep turquoise and soft lemon add vividness. Black shimmers like coal.
The metallic sparkle of silver sets dramatic accents.

Keywords for the fabrics:

• fabrics pair tactile sensations with cutting edge functionality
• multi-dimensional structures creating volume
• double-face fabrics with contrasting backside

“beyond the obvious” is a story inspired by human curiosity. We all like to know what is behind the next door, around the next curve.

A cool winter day as inspiration for the colour range. Harmonious and sensual.
Light, tinted shades with some amazing accents. Brilliant white predominates the spirit of this colour palette.

An elaborated layering of fabrics and textures underlines this spirit.

Further keywords:

• light-weight fabrics create cosy volume
• subtle over-prints
• modest transparencies
• fluid & sensual
• fractured patterns enhance optical illusions

„re-arrange“ is a green story. Working on a new balance. Crafting the future with ingenuity and a deep concern for nature. Interlocking the needs of mankind and the resources of our planet.

The rich colour palette evokes nature´s beauty and energy. Pure and intense.
Shades of vibrant green are highlighted by brilliant orange and radiant yellow.
Lucid aqua and precious gold set accents.

Some keywords concerning the look:

• material re-use for high-end fabrics
• traditional craftmanship meets latest technology
• textured surfaces imitate natural structures
• bark-like weaves
• coatings sprinkled with gold

„joined together“ – the single pieces of the puzzle get linked and form a new masterpiece. The one and the many. An infinite potential for variation and interaction.

A vivid yet cool and clear colour palette. A predominance of bluish tones with glimpses of intense pink.

Keywords for the fabrics:

• stone meets steal – giving inspiration to fabrics & finishes
• polished and slightly frosted surfaces
• translucent effects
• multifaceted patterns

Looking forward to summer 2013 we see 4 strong colour themes:

“Energy Shift”: During the last months we have seen a lot of pictures loaded with energy and power – people fighting for their rights, natural disasters.
This energy is visualized for the upcoming season with brilliant yellow and red colour shades. Accents are set by intense green and blue.

“White Out”: Both the fight for rights and the natural disasters open up new chances. Like a blank sheet of white paper used for making plans and drafts for the future, we see a strong white colour story for summer 2013. Framed by intense black and with slight dashes of red and green. Giving just the idea of colour to this story.

Another important colour story arises out of the encounter of traditional craftsmanship and latest technologies. Wood of all kinds is actually the most wanted material both in architecture and interior design/ furniture. It istransformed in completely new shapes due to technical developments.We see a very natural colour story with different wooden colour shades. Accents come from light yellow, steel blue and intense red.

The last important inspiration develops out of the desire for clean air and pure water. “Follow the Flow” – a story with a predominance of bluish tones. Paired with earthy brown, violet blue and green.

The complete IDEAS colour forecast winter 2012/13 can be purchased exclusively by direct order via e-mail: news@ideas-designers.com.

Nora Kuehner
fashion   design   consulting

Trends and colours summer 2012 and first impressions for winter 2012/13

Colours and Trends Sommer 2012 and beyond

based upon the IDEAS colour forecast spring/summer 2012

IDEAS has chosen the emblematic keyword “Light-Shift” for its colour forecast summer 2012. Light is life and the word itself sparkles with a lot of positive connotations both in physical and figurative senses. Light is never tangible and only visible by refraction.

The alternation of day and night, between brightness and darkness beats the rhythm of our lives as master clock. Inspired by the magnetic field between natural and artificial light the IDEAS group tells six stories about light and darkness.

Here a short description of each colour theme.

“BLACK OUT” is the story of the first daylight which clears up the impermeable darkness. Black is no longer only black but shimmers in colourful shades.

A palette of refined and soft non-colours. Subtle shades of black as background frame. Vintage brass for an essential warm shine. Colours melt into each other and flow away. No sharp contrasts.

Keywords concerning fabrics:

• matte surfaces with decent textures
• kinetic structures with shiny edges
• fabrics offering perfect comfort
• patterns are barely perceptible

„DAZZLING LIGHT“ stands for a theme about days bursting with vibrating light. Weather as bright as can be. A perfect summer mood – nearly surrealistic.

Bright and intense colours. Slightly over-exposed due to the power of the sun. Transforming sunbeams in eye-popping brilliancy. Accents are set by high shine aluminium silver.

Some keywords concerning the appeal of fabrics:

• sleek finishes with a cool hand
• fabrics with a dense weave
• high gloss and metallic shine

„LIGHT & SHADE“ – magical twilight reveals and hides at the same time.
An eternal play of silhouettes and shades. Timeless and authentic.

A beautifully balanced colour palette – each shade calmed by a touch of grey.
Blue mist, creamy yellow and light green are framed by black, dark olive and reddish violet. Playing with the idea of shadowy light, this range creates a moody yet modern look and never gets sinister.

Fabrics underline these aspects:

• raw + grained aspects
• light-weight fabrics with an unexpected handle
• eco-friendly technology
• modest transparencies
• fluid & sensual

„SUNNY SIDE UP!“ is inspired by the power of the sun and its positive effects for our body and soul. Enjoying urban surroundings as well as life on the road.
A laid-back attitude makes your day.

Vivid shades of yellow and orange pair with dark blue, polished concrete and earthy brown. Loaded with luminous energy. Optimistic and playful.

Some keywords concerning the look:

• synthetic fibres for functional simplicity
• „freehand mixing“ for an individual appeal
• digital pointillism
• multi-faceted geometric patterns

„LIGHT PAINTING“ is definitely the theme of our era. Artificial lighting effects stamp our perception of colours. Reflected and dispersed. Modulating spaces with an air of mystery.

Shiny silver highlights a range of deep blues. White, cheeky pink and fluorescent yellow are crucial for edgy colour combinations. Crystalline reflections or subdued lighting sparkle with technical coolness.

Keywords for the fabrics:

• high-performance fabrics with cool lustre
• reflective fibres
• innovative + pure

The last colour story „METAMORPHOSIS“ stands for the never-ending cycle of life. Light reflects perfectly the constant change and transformation of this cycle – a visual perception between fiction and reality.

The opulent colour palette is grounded in its natural origins. A predominance of vibrant shades of warm red. Turquoise, deep sea blue, green and sunny yellow complete the range. Basic shades paired with amazing accents.

Some keywords concerning the look of this story:

• a sense of vintage joins the latest techniques
• undulating and semi-transparent surfaces
• shivering patterns

Looking beyond summer 2012 shows us 4 strong colour themes:

• A “green” story: Between robbing the planet and developing more sustainable concepts for the future we see a lot of natural colours. Shades of green pair with yellow and orange in harmony.
• A very intense and joyful story about shades of blue and pink. Light grey, dark navy and acid yellow set strong accents.
• Variations of red, grey and black in a dramatic and expressive story. Framed by pale lemon and pacific blue.
• Imagine a calm winter day without the brilliancy of any sunbeams. Colours are smooth and a bit greyish. Colourful accents by violet (either light or very intense) and rust.

The complete IDEAS colour forecast for summer 2012 can be purchased exclusively by direct order via e-mail: news@ideas-designers.com.

Nora Kuehner
fashion   design   consulting

Colour trends spring/ summer for sports apparel 2012

Lecture at the OutDoor fair in Friedrichshafen (Germany), July 16, 2010

Trends in swimwear and beachfashion for summer 2010

Participation as trend expert in a tv show of Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) in Munich (Germany), April 28, 2010

Trends and colours in sports for fall/ winter 2011/12

Lecture at the Performance Days fair in Munich (Germany), April 15, 2010