Colours & Trends Summer 2017

Presentation at OutDoor Summer 2015
Friedrichshafen/Germany, July 16, 2015

In the fast-paced global world everything seems to grow, decay is practically forbidden. Changes and developments in the modern society follow mainly the sports principle of “faster, higher, further”. Generating endless improvements.

Despite the experiences with global economic turbulences and natural disasters, the world still clings to this idea of ever-lasting growth. Sheer mathematics tell us that permanent growth is just not possible in a world with scarce resources. Yet we see a growing discomfort with this idea, more and more people have started questioning the pros and cons. “Degrowth” is the base for further discussions focusing on topics like quality of life and true sustainability.

The IDEAS members have selected “GROW” as keyword for the season summer 2017 and want to reflect the many facets of this inspiring topic. On the verge of new and unpredictable developments, the season delights in delicate and optimistic colouring.

Let your imagination grow!

Practising sports has become an essential part of the global lifestyle. Therefore we see the need for changes in the appeal of contemporary sports products. Mainly sports apparel collections stand at the crossroads of fashion and functionality. Facing saturated markets as well as an ever-growing diversity of target groups the sports apparel industry needs to rethink its approaches to sports design. Therefore colour, too, as a key property when it comes to attract buyers has to be selected carefully and according to new context.

As fashion is increasingly using performance fabrics and accessories, we have decided to enter a more fashion orientated colour story to our forecast – of course alongside with the usual range of colour stories for active sports.

Mostly neutral colours pair with black and white thus creating a feel of luxurious simplicity.
A subtle range with an aesthetic appeal both masculine and feminine. Combinations may range from a more zen-focused spirit fitting all kinds of wellbeing sports to a clear dynamic sports attitude.

Superbloom
New technologies offer it all – replicating nature ever more accurate and refining reality. Developing perfect environments for future living as well as perfecting the human condition via technology.

Fabrics place high-end technology first. Combining perfect function with a natural look and feel. Cool geometric patterns change character by layers of sensuously morphing colour. Fragmented flaming flower designs delight in opulent colouring. Complex monochrome line art inspired by architectural blueprints and wiring diagrams.

A range of vibrant hues provokes explosions of energy. Sunny yellow, bright violet and shady true red take centre stage. Balanced with shades of mid blue and dusty bronze. Highlighted by creamy white. An expressive and bold colour story reflecting a synthetic naturalness.

Sprouting Up
The unexpected is an essential part of life – detailed planning, excessive data mining and innumerable algorithms cannot extinguish surprises or eliminate any risk.

Developing fabrics with protective and functional properties for a more everyday outdoor clothing. High elasticity for freedom of movement. A rich diversity of structures and finishings as tactility is key. Graphics are Influenced both by nature and man-made environments, by chaos and high-end precision. Shattering homogeneity with unbridled fantasy.

Light shades of green and amber alongside powerful coral, leaf green and purple. Greyish petrol and blackened olive complete this calming yet rich palette. Reflecting untamed individuality as well as sparkling unity.

Beyond Growth
Abandoned industrial buildings and areas offer stimulating canvases to makers with imaginative minds and a hands-on approach. Preserving traditional skills, adapting latest machinery to the process of individual making. Bridging the gap between craftsmanship and industrial production.

Taking a thoughtful approach to fabrics. Refining and transmuting materials to achieve singularity. Playing with the contrast of rough and smooth. Surface treatments underline the importance of natural haptic sensations. The traces of decay are key sources of inspiration for graphics.. Both simplicity and ornament influence patterning. Hand-drawn imperfection. Crackled overprints become more refined and discreet.

A harmonious colour palette with restrained luminosity. Muted mid shades of blue, brick and green are lifted by soft mint and pastel yellow. Intense blackened brown and aubergine add punch to this story which recharges reality.

Microcosm
Physical experiences get rare in the digital era. The ever-growing dematerialization creates a world of its own – sometimes too complex to understand. A microscopic view to reality gains ground both in science and society.

Focus on extremely light materials with a sleek handle. A wide variety of high-density fabrics. A play of opacity and translucence. Moulding for weightless volume. Surfaces with a shimmering luminosity. Close-ups of barely perceptible natural phenomena influence mysterious and visually intriguing patterns. Delicate and fragile lines sketch out complex networks. Curved dotted lines follow invisible trajectories through space.

A captivating array of light shades mixing warm and cool tones. Eye-catching bright orange is supported by tender yellow and radiant white. Airy blue, silver grey and dusty lavender underline the luminous finesse of the range. Perfectly grounded by dark fern.

Game of Life
Thrilling, amazing, poetic, fast-paced, passionate, exhausting -life is constantly in the making. Triggering permanent interaction. Pure challenge and true emotion.

Fabrics and their performance properties are adapted to the level of activity. Extra-light bonded or laminated softshells favouring neat structures – either inside or on the outside. Ceramic coatings. Discreet polished glazes. Distortion and bias update elementary stripes, bold lettering and classic sport badges. Avoiding any stereotypes. Dazzling light refractions add a dynamic multi-dimensional look to reduced geometric compositions.

The aesthetics of computer games prompt a new take on classic sports colours. Radiant white lends it powerful splendour to classic red and ocean blue. Dark navy and steely blue add a cool feel, while garnet red and fresh papaya bring warmth and energy.

Kiss the rainbow
Rejecting the ordinary, challenging what has become habitual. Something new is here to come …

An ever-extended use of recycled materials. Striking new fibre blends with bio-active minerals. One of a kind double knits – achieved by computerized hybrid technology. Personalized jacquards with 3D effects. Polished metallic sheen. Visually stimulating graphics. Opulence and optimism. A new sense of abstraction. Patterns inspired by the aesthetics of architectural renderings. Illusory effects. Colourful stripes in full swing. Dripping colour flashes.

A colour palette with a radiant freshness. Two yellow tones in the foreground. Vibrant sulphurous yellow adds an acid spin while flawless lime stays in tune with bright pink, light blue and burnt orange. Silver grey and charcoal intensify the boldness of these shades.

The complete colour forecast spring | summer 2017 (64 pages with graphic inspirations & recommendations for colour combinations) can be purchased exclusively by direct order via e-mail: info@norakuehner.com

Munich, July 23, 2015

Nora Kuehner
fashion   design   consulting