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Pancyprian TS Fashion Design II study materials
Pancyprian TS Fashion Design II study resources

Pancyprian TS Fashion Design II: Colour Theory, Trend Research and Fashion Forecasting

Pancyprian TS Fashion Design II · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

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Colour Theory, Trend Research and Fashion Forecasting

Colour Theory, Trend Research and Fashion Forecasting

Two linked skills are examined: controlling colour deliberately, and using forecast information commercially rather than copying it.

Colour control

  • Describe colour by hue, value (light–dark) and saturation (chroma). Tint = plus white; shade = plus black; tone = plus grey.
  • Schemes: monochromatic, analogous, complementary, split-complementary, triadic, achromatic.
  • Use proportion deliberately - a workable formula is 60% dominant, 30% secondary, 10% accent.
  • Simultaneous contrast: a colour shifts against its neighbour, so test swatches against skin tone and against the other fabrics in the range.
  • Metamerism: two colours that match under shop light can clash in daylight. Approve lab dips under daylight (D65) and store light, never on screen alone.
  • Reference systems: Pantone TCX/TPG for textiles, NCS and Munsell for systematic description.

Forecasting

  • Cycle: fads last a season or two, trends 3–7 years, classics persist. A strong range typically uses one new trend, one evolving trend and a core neutral base.
  • Sources: trend services (WGSN, Fashion Snoops, Peclers), fabric fairs such as Première Vision, catwalk, street style, subculture, art and politics.
  • Typical lead times: colour about 24 months before retail, fabric development around 18, silhouette and print about 12.
  • Translate, do not transcribe: filter every trend through brand DNA, customer and price point.

Worked example

Spring palette for a mid-market womenswear brand: 60% undyed ecru, 25% washed sage, 10% pale butter, 5% coral accent. Pantone references, fabric-matched lab dips, and a rule that coral appears only on trims and one print - the range stays cohesive and markdown-safe.

Traps

  • Presenting six unrelated colours and calling it a story.
  • Treating a trend report as an instruction rather than evidence.
  • Choosing colours from a monitor without lab dips.
  • Omitting neutrals, leaving nothing to merchandise against.
  • Treating a fad as a long-term trend when committing to bulk fabric.