Elements of Design: COLOR

In the apparel industry, elements of design in construction and design are crucial in creating a marketable aesthetic. Perhaps the most important regards the use of color, as it is usually the first thing a customer notices about a garment.

The following photos focus on shades and hues of the color Green, as it is not only one of my favorite colors but its shades are commonly found in nature. In fact, Green is the color/word most associated with the environment as a whole, as well as any positive steps humanity takes in reducing our negative impact on said environment.

1- Atonement Dress & Asparagus

photo courtesy of http://blog.nypost.com/fashion/photos/kiera.jpg

photo courtesy of www.dorsetblueberry.co.uk

The green couture dress worn by Kiera Knightly in Atonement, an Academy Award nominated World War I drama, is a vibrant green that is also the shade of Asparagus!

2- Armani Prive Gown & Sea Foam

photo courtesy http://2.bp.blogspot.com/Met4.jpg

photo courtesy http://upload.wikimedia.org

The sea foam green gown worn by actress Camilla Belle was designed by Giorgio Armani for the Armani Prive line. Sea foam green is another example of a shade of green named directly after its place in nature!

3- Hermes Alligator Birkin Bag & an Alligator

photo courtesy www.webhandbag.com

photo courtesy http://upload.wikimedia.org

The exclusive Birkin bag by Hermes, which costs upwards of $17,000 for the bottom of the line would be almost double the price in the Alligator skin, which is almost an exact match of the Alligator pictured. The Alligator's exotic hide has been used for luxury leather goods for hundreds of years.

4-Louis Vuitton Dress & Wheat Grass

photo courtesy www.fashionphile.com

photo courtesy of www.gardennews.co.nz

Marc Jacobs designed this grass-like frock for Louis Vuitton's S/S 09 line worn infamously by Madonna to a GUCCI event. The color and shape of the fabric used looks exactly like wheat grass, which is a supplement noted for its antioxidant properties!

5- Stephen Sprouse LV Graffiti Bag & Key Limes

photo courtesy www.flingitgirl.com photo courtesy http://z.about.com/keylimes.jpg

The "it girl" model Agynes Deyn shown modeling the "it bag", Louis Vuitton's re-vamp on the Stephen Sprouse graffiti collection. This classic speedy bad is bright lime green, just like the color's namesake pictured in the bowl of limes.

6- Paul Smith Blazer & Forest Canopy

photo courtesy http://static.paulsmith.co.uk

photo courtesy http://image06.webshots.com

The dark velvet blazer by Paul Smith is the perfect representation of forest green, a color associated with the dominant hue in a heavily shaded forest.

7- Christian Lacroix Gown & Cut Emerald

photo courtesy http://images.teamsugar.com

photo courtesy www.rockcutters.us

Burlesque star and fashion icon Dita Von Teese is pictured at the Cannes film festival in an emerald green chiffon gown by French designer Christian Lacroix. Once again, a beautiful shade of green formed in nature by a beautiful gemstone.

8- Balenciaga Bag & Mint Plants

photo courtesy http://img2.timeinc.net

photo courtesy www.harvestwizard.com

New York fashion scene icon Mary-Kate Olsen obviously loves her mint green Balenciaga bag, which keeps her look fresh and spring oriented, much like the plant does to a glass of iced tea!

9- Hermes Peacoat & Olivesphoto courtesy http://youbettawork.files.wordpress.comphoto courtesy http://upload.wikimedia.org

Hermes' F/W 09' look was my favorite collection shown at Paris fashion week this spring, as they took many daring color risks but still kept their aesthetic subdued and chic. Though Hermes is most well known for impeccable leather goods, this olive green pea coat proves that olive isn't only a military color!

10- Ohne Titel Blazer & Sung Dynasty Celadon Bowlphoto courtesy http://blog.liberty.co.ukphoto courtesy www.fineartregistry.com

Finally, this S/S 09' celadon colored blazer by Ohne Titel is an exact color match to a Sung Dynasty celadon Bowl, made ca.960-1079 AD. Celadon is one of the oldest glazes in existence, and its color is still incredibly chic and fashion forward.