Greens emerging as key colors, says trend analyst
By Carole Sloan -- Furniture Today, June 24, 2002
NEW YORK — "People want color," said Liz Hough, senior director, fashion marketing, home fabrics at Cotton Inc., and her new color forecast acknowledges that, with green the key emerging color.
Under the overall theme "A Novel Approach to Home," Hough points to "A Tale of One City" as the fashion-forward color statement for 2004, with two greens interplaying.
She also rates "Suns & Lovers," a family that features lavenders and purples mixed with mint green, as a future winner. "These colors lend to the shine that is so important in mercerized threads," Hough said.
Yellows remain important "but they have faded back" to buttercup, a golden tonality, and to pale and light straw shades, she said. Blues, she added, "are taking a tone down in the dominance they have had."
In design, Hough sees the home market "zeroing in on a geometric and menswear tailored look (that) shows cotton in a formal light — in sateen, in stripes, in mercerized yarns that are polished and sophisticated." She labels the trend "Philosophy," one of Cotton Inc.'s four directional design families.
"Fairy Tales," another design family, is inspired by classic children's books and is marked by playful, energetic fabric looks. "They really pop," Hough said. "It's wholesome, and keyed to the youth market." Hand embroidery, tapestries and whimsical terry prints are important in this group.
Faraway places are the theme of "Adventure," and fabrics include rich chenilles, jacquards and interpretations of crewelwork.
The fourth design theme, "Romance," is feminine without being little-girl frilly, Hough said. Fabrics are inspired by heirloom-quality christening gowns, and include puckers, toiles, delicate embroidery and dressmaker details.
