So it’s finally here! Pantone just announced Living Coral the ‘Colour of the Year 2019,’ inspiring billions of fashionistas, celebrities, fashion houses, make-up brands, designers and advertising firms urging them to incorporate this lively shade in their products and designs. Although it may seem more pink in nature, Pantone describes Living Coral as an animated, life-affirming shade of orange, with golden undertones that energises and enlivens with a softer edge.
The Pantone Color Institute is the business unit within Pantone that highlights top seasonal runway colours, forecasts global colour trends, and advises companies on colour for product and brand visual identity. For 20 years, Pantone’s Colour of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home furnishings, and industrial design, as well as product, packaging, and graphic design. To commemorate the announcement of its colour of the year, Pantone is launching a range of coral-coloured products including a limited edition mug, a large and small key chain and a notebook. Industries will take time to introduce products and designs inspired by Living Coral, but you can sport the trendy colour right away with just a few tips from the experts.
TRADITIONALLY SPEAKING
Fashion lovers across the globe are thrilled after Pantone made the announcement and can’t wait to sport the Colour of the Year 2019. Despite being subtle, the nature of the shade is lively and energising. It gives the wearer and its surroundings, a sense of optimism and adds a young, vivacious vibe to the look.
Jaipur-based Aakansha Jain, who owns the brand Gulaal Creations, says, “Living Coral represents warmth and since it’s the season of ‘the bold and beautiful’, you can easily rock this shade with indigo to add a pop of colour to the look. 2019 will also see a splurge of tie and dye along with drapes. I feel you can incorporate various shades of Living Coral into interesting bohemian-draped silhouettes.”
While the coral hue was in and out of fashion during the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and made a comeback in 2010 when colour blocking became a huge trend in Western wear, Living Coral, today, doesn’t stop you from wearing the palette in ethnic wear. Jain suggests, “A beautifully shaded coral sharara with coral kurta and dupatta enhanced with gota detailing will definitely make heads turn. You can also experiment with the silhouette and pair up a beautiful Living Coral cape kurta with lemon breeches to rock the festive season with a twist. Another traditional way of showing off the shade is by combining the shades of Living Coral with the beautiful technique of bandhani this festive season.”
LOVED BY ALL
Talking about how people are getting attracted to this energising shade, Delhi-based Shivani Jain, designer of clothing label Tisharth, says that this colour is already making waves in the world of fashion, decor and accessories. “This colour is going to take social media by storm due to its lively presence as it connects us with nature instantly. Designers like Marc Jacobs have already launched a whole new spring collection in the shades of coral and pastels. Prada has done coral camisoles with space-age headbands. The different tones of this colour as found in nature, be it rosy pinks or coral reds, make it even more versatile for designers to blend it in between different tones as per their versions. This beautiful colour is already taking fashion ramps by storm and will be seen much more in 2019 or even beyond,” she adds.
Delhi-based designer Prarthnna Kochhar, who owns the label Kovet by Prarthnna, feels that the colour is not as loud as neon though it has the boldness of red and orange. “The colour is very friendly as it can complement every skin tone and also allow you to experiment and make unique combinations. Living Coral is also a great shade when it comes to lip colour as it gives a fresh look to the face. For the summer holiday, it is a perfect colour to pull off on the beach as it gives a vibrant spring vibe,” she says.
Styling it right
While whites and blacks are the ideal colours to combine with Living Coral, you can get a little more experimental if you love grunge. “This colour trend can be well coordinated with shades of tan, yellow, pink and golden. A Living Coral pant suit can be worn with nude lips and tan shoes or even mustard yellow pumps. A dress in Living Coral can have colour blocking of plain or metallic fabrics which is the hotted trend this season. Shimmer also works well with all tones of Living Coral. One can easily slip in a coral dress by adding some bling with accessories and metallic shoes. Many make-up looks can be experimented with this colour but shimmer works well with this colour,” advises Jain.
The coral make-up
If you like to be in sync with ongoing trends, you have to sport Living Coral in your make-up too. Shubham Chakraborty, Kolkata-based make-up artist, believes that Living Coral is not just refreshing but can also easily amp up the glam quotient. “Be it your eye shadow, or lips, and even your highlighter and blush, Living Coral can take your beauty and glam quotient a few notches higher in minutes. The shade is neutral and falls under the category of pastels, hence it is suitable for all skin tones. If you want to get a little more experimental, then go for Living Coral eyes and lips in glitter effect,’’ says Chakraborty.
Eyes: Although the shade is warm and subtle, don’t restrict it to wearing an eyeshadow in Living Coral for your daytime look only. When you wear it as an eyeshadow during the day, you can skip wearing an eyeliner and kajal on the water line of your eyes. But to add more drama and for a perfect party or night-time look, you can apply Living Coral eyeshadow and give it a finishing touch by applying winged eyeliner and a lip colour in the same shade. If you are looking at creating a bold statement, then mix Living Coral with bright pink palette and a hint of black and go for smoky eyes. But keep your lip colour understated in that case.
Lips: You don’t necessarily have to stick to the Living Coral shade lipstick only. You can flaunt different shades of coral-reds, pinks and oranges to add a pop of colour to your lips. A hint of kohl will enhance your beauty in seconds. But don’t forget to add a touch of blush on the apple of your cheeks for more fun.
