I ♥ Green, 2011...

Here we are, the first Wednesday of 2011.. Something strikes me today. It's the green color. I have been always wanted to convince my bride to consider green as they look pretty cool and glamorous, depending on which green you choose. So I decided to have this crazy idea of giving a flat rate for my bride who is going to try on the Greens this year!

The Pantone Fashion Color Report for Spring 2011 features commentary from fashion insiders and leading retailers discussing the geographic locations currently influencing fashion and design. Industry gurus highlighted in the report include: Cate Adair, costume designer for "Desperate Housewives"; India Hicks, creative partner at Crabtree & Evelyn; Simone Legno, chief creative officer at Tokidoki; Lanie List, chief merchandising officer at Iconix Brand Group, Inc.; Collier Strong, celebrity make-up artist; and Essie Weingarten, founder of Essie Cosmetics, Ltd. Contributors from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Macy's also weigh in.

Citing exotic destinations like Africa, India, Peru and Turkey as inspiration for spring 2011, designers continue to satisfy consumers' need to escape everyday challenges with intriguing color combinations that transport them to foreign lands.

Spicy, gregarious and persuasive describe Coral Rose, a sophisticated orange that, much like Beeswax, a warm, honeyed yellow, conjures up feelings of faraway lands and locales. Pair either of these piquant hues with a cool, refreshing color-wheel opposite like Regatta for a vibrant color combination that will add zest to any wardrobe. Romantic, fanciful Lavender implies sensuality with its subtle hint of red undertone. Combine it with Beeswax or Coral Rose for a unique counterpoint.

Trans-seasonal neutrals ground this season's palette and provide a stable backdrop for all of the other colors. The so-called "nude hues" are represented in the range of ethereal Silver Peony to dramatically deep Russet. Another dependable background color, Silver Cloud, is the quintessential neutral that consumers can rely on to coordinate with everything in their closet.

Alluring Blue Curacao evokes thoughts of tropical destinations and pays homage to the 2010 Color of the Year, Turquoise. Practical consumers can continue to incorporate enticing Caribbean blues into spring by pairing Blue Curacao with warm, complementary colors like Honeysuckle or Coral Rose. Peapod, a fresh yellow-green, brings an organic element to the palette and is reminiscent of the green shoots that signify change and new beginnings traditionally found in spring. Green!!!

Flirtatious Honeysuckle is a feel-good hue that brings a festive sense of playfulness to this season's palette. This vibrant pinkish-red for both apparel and cosmetics makes consumers feel alive, and is a perfect post-winter pick-me-up. I was thinking, pair with green... Nice ~ :)

In the middle of the color spectrum, green matches well with both rainbow extremes: rich reds, burgundies, and pinks as well as lilacs, violets, and royal purple hues. Choosing just the right green shade for a wedding is more than just picking a pretty color, however. First, the exact shade of green should coordinate with the season. Light, airy hues such as pastel green or mint are perfect for spring weddings, while summer celebrations are best paired with brighter, bold shades or green patterns. Fall weddings can easily be accented with sage or darker green hues, while winter weddings are perfect for jewel tones such as a luxurious emerald. As for the Malaysian brides, I would suggest the green that complement their skin color.

The green you choose should also be coordinated with the theme of the wedding and its location. Informal, casual ceremonies are better suited to light, playful shades, while more formal events demand more somber colors. The location's decorations - wall color, carpet patterns, artwork, etc. - can also affect which shade may be best for an integrated, coordinated look.

 Peapod

 Coral Rose

 Honeysuckle

 Lavender

 Regatta

Russet

 Silver Cloud

 Silver Peony

 Beeswax

 Blue Curacao

Besides the usual green & ivory, green & brown, green & pink, green & yellow, green & blue, I do think the fresh lavender & olive green is quite a cool combination. What  say you? :)

xoxo