Color to Brighten Up Fall and Winter

New York — In a similar note to its predications for the prior season, Cotton Inc.'s preview of its fall 2005/winter 2006 color and surface apparel forecast depicts more subdued bright colors compared to the previous year.

“We haven't started presenting these colors yet, but in our preview we are showing lots of brightness that isn't as bold as before,” said Lauren Deatherage, Cotton Inc.'s trend specialist, menswear fashion marketing, during her presentation at the Material World event in Miami Beach earlier this month. “The colors here are more saturated and sophisticated.”

Six colors make up each of the six groupings in the color forecast.

Intrigue features traditional shades for this season — black, gray, sable and cream — accented with a “pop” color like apple green “to peak curiosity and make it more mysterious and intriguing,” Deatherage said.

Intrigue colors work well with technical fabrics that embrace the latest technology for outer and work wear, she added. Examples include optical and shadow effects and sheers.

Provocateur is centered on romantic red hues that transcend into browns and, finally, a dark chocolate.

“We're moving red forward here without making it look like a holiday color,” Deatherage said. “It's about being provocative and powerful.”

The dark chocolate color is intended as a background for printed or woven shirting and can be layered with colors from other groups, like Muse or Expression. Provocateur also works well with what Deatherage described as sultry fabrics — sateen, cotton silk, suede, laces, floral styles and meshes.

Muse colors are meditative and Zen-like neutrals that are inspired by modern art and sculptures. It calls for the luxury market — suede, cotton cashmere, cotton-wool blends, whisper sheer cotton, mercerized looks, iridescent finishes and printed velvets.

Destination's aptly named palette includes a pale green called Currency, a burnt orange called Painted Desert, a brown called Terrain and a dark blue called Galaxy. It appeals to a “worldly and sophisticated” taste, Deatherage said.

Triumph is inspired by athletic lifestyles and hits kinetic hues appropriately named Torch (red), First Place (light blue) and Adrenaline (beige), among others. It works well for multiple markets — men's, women's and children's wear.

Finally, Expression is a youth-oriented group that evokes “untamed creativity,” Deatherage said.

Fabrics suitable for Expression colors include prints and wovens in light shades, honeycomb knits, denims with multi-colors slub yarns and updated constructions for fleeces and terries.