Passion #1: Colour
Backtrack a few decades…
There were many disadvantages to growing up behind the iron curtain, but there were also innumerable benefits. When the world doesn’t revolve around material things, one is forced to look at it from different angles. The two senses that gave me enormous joy as a child were sight and hearing. In the main, such pleasures were free and in abundance.
And this is how I fell in love with colour. Take a moment, close your eyes…the ensuing darkness can be serene as the other senses kick in to compensate for the temporary loss of sight. Now reopen your eyes and really see the immediate world around you. Colour is the ingredient that perfects the beauty of nature. Imagine if our daytime vision would be similar to how we see at night – white, black and all the nuances in between. This is the power of colour!
Black and white have held colour centre stage in fashion for years. They spell elegance, simplicity and ease the pain and need to colour match your clothing. I get all that and have a number of black and white and grey items in my wardrobe. In fact, there was a time when my husband gave me a prod about being a tad boring in my attire. It was just the nudge I needed to remember how important colour had been to me since my childhood.
Jewellery and handbags are a unique way to introduce colour into your wardrobe. Jewellery has the added advantage of adding sparkle, panache and as necklaces and earrings are worn near the face, they will guide people’s eyes to look into yours. Handbags, on the other hand, have the capability to make a great impact on your overall fashion look.
I have chosen to use colour to its fullest artistry in my jewellery. You will find a myriad of beads and stones, crystals and various metals in my pieces. My thinking behind it is to use colour to tickle the visual effect, heighten the happiness factor, spice up a neutral outfit, give character and simply light up your individuality.
Warm colours and their characteristics
Red – demands attention, implies passion, confidence, power
Orange – energising, motivating, assertive
Yellow – joy, happiness, optimism
Cool colours and their characteristics
Green – nature, tranquility, prosperity, freshness
Blue – the colour of the sky and the sea, soothing, stable, peaceful
Purple – whimsical and spiritual and complements most other colours
This is a very succinct summary of the emotions evoked by colour. I believe that we inherently know all about colour, its influence on our mood, its effect on how we are seen by others and we instinctively choose colours to wear based on our subliminal frame of mind at that moment. Next time you pick your outfit or you’re shopping for something new, test whether any of these thoughts come to mind when you’re making your choice.
Regarding colour and handbags, there’s nothing like a distinctive and richly coloured handbag to totally transform an outfit. Example: a neutral ensemble, in hues of brown and beige paired with: 1) a glorious green, 2) fuchsia pink, 3) fiery red or 4) a royal blue handbag. Result = WOW!
Even if your colour palette tends to veer towards neutrals and pastels and you cannot see yourself wearing vibrant clothing, a colourful accent in the form of a necklace, earrings or a handbag will add a tasteful helping of pizzazz. I would be delighted to know that one of my pieces contributes colour to your day.
A vibrant bracelet I created for a friend who needed a little boost…