GoldinUniverse

One sure way to infuse our daily life with color is through our clothing selection.
 Fashion trends tend to be very cyclical, certain colors and styles are in and out within one year and are resurrected a few years later.

 As a fashion designer, I dress according to my mood. If I'm feeling happy, upbeat and outgoing I tend to choose very bright colors, such as yellows, pinks, turquoises. I find those colors to have the ability to carry my mood throughout the day or the evening and people tend to respond very positively towards me.
 People can be scared of color, and as a designer I have to consider this at all times. I try to introduce it to them by carefully selecting bright shades which more often than not have a contrasting color which helps mute it down to reality.
 Most people can't imagine themselves in a particular shade until they actually try it on, some are very knowledgeable about what shade suits them  and others are happy to experiement and discover new boundaries within their closet!
 
When I am more relaxed and subdued, I select a pallette of slightly muted colors, such as baby blues, greys, creams, soft pinks etc. They are comforting, soft shades which have a relaxing power and are very gentle on the eye.
 Black tends to suit everyone and has always been in fashion. I personally think it should be kept to a minimum as I find wearing color very uplifting.

The eye is automatically drawn to the lightest point in the room, perhaps that is why people with blonde hair tend to get noticed a lot quicker.
 Light and bright colors attract the eye much better than black.
 We weren't all born lucky enough to have a natural skintone which suits ruby reds and banana yellows, however there are strategic ways of wearing colors together which eases the wearer and the viewer into it. The eye should meet the brightly attired person with a fluid movement, the colors should draw you in, rather then make you step back. The key to drawing in the eye is to combine the correct colors together.
 Choosing a lighter or darker color to mute or accentuate another shade can be difficult sometimes.
 A deep shade needs a lighter shade to lift it. A light shade needs a darker shade to encase it into the figure.

 A few examples:
> A forest green should have some lime green detail to soften it.
> A fushia can have a light mauve or pink to soften it.
> A bright tangerine orange should have a sunflower gold to keep it down to earth.
> A bright turquoise can either have a navy to tone it down or a yellow or pink to accentuate it's vivid shade.
 
 
Generally,  I believe it is always best to wear dark on the bottom and light on top if you are wearing different colors altogether eg: Dark brown skirt, Cream or white top.
How many people have bought a beautiful piece of clothing but just can't find a top or bottom as the perfect match to complete it..? It's all in the color and you can train your eye to pick up on "the family" of colors.
An easy way to learn this is by getting your hands on a few paint color charts from a diy store, and noticing the gradation of brights to dark, then cutting them up and playing with the colors against each other to discover interesting new combinations which could suit your dress sense. I t sounds terribly simple but it will genuinely give you an idea of what color variations exists.

 Colors can accentuate our best assets and help diffuse certain parts of the figure.
 A way of achieving color combination is through the process of layering your clothing in a clever manner

Layering is becoming more and more recognized as a stylish way to dress, and I don't me layering as in trying to hide yourself under immense amounts of fabric.
 Layering luxurious fabrics in bright colors, such as silk chiffons, jerseys, habotie, tulles, satins , cashmeres and laces can give the body a sensuous new feel.
As fabrics they are soft and easy on the body so you afford to jazz things up with a splash of color.
 Sleeves, necklines,side pannels, basques, hem lines in different shades can create the perfect balance of color to an outfit.
 The shapes should all be fluid and well cut to ensure that if you layer a skirt under a dress, there is no bulking aroundthe waist or hips and that the hems sit well together. The layered pieces shouldn't cut your figure in an unflattering way, if done correctly it will always elongate you.

Eg of layering:
> A wrap dress and a long cardigan
> A little evening dress and a bolero with long ties
> A tunic over and Tshirt and over a pair of jeans...

 Try layering a bright blue/turquoise/pink satin slip dress with a black lace dress. The effect is quite surprising.
 Mixing turquoise under a shade of mauve can really give an unusual glow to an outfit.
 Reds and pink can compliment each other very well if their shades are right.
 Chocolate browns and light blue or turquoise can be beautiful.

 If used well colors can energise each other beyond recognition.
 eg: A dull musky brown can be lifted with a soft dusky pink.
 However if combined incorrectly they can drain the energy from each other and really kill an outfit.
 
 The color closest to your face is what people with notice first, so be kind to yourself and judge your own skin tone,eye and hair colour realistically, taking into account your makeup pallette.
 For example: Dont wear bright rusty orange if your skin tone is very pale. This color would suit someone more sallow.
 The best advice I can give is to hold the brightly colored garments up to your face and you will know then and there.

 There are many exciting and energising combinations of colors out there and I believe in exploring all of them. Being brave enough to have  the will to wear something different can open a whole new world to you, one which you will discover will lift your spirits and add a bit of fun to your life or routine.
And you will also be happy to discover that it receives a very positive response from those around you.

 Veronica Ryan - Fashion Designer - Ireland - ronnieryan@hotmail.com