THE MAGIC OF COLOUR BLOCKING
Source : Kutlwano
Author : Terry Chenesani Makgoeng
Location : GABORONE
Event : Fashion Trends
It must have been out of appreciation for the beautiful harmony of colours, that people from as back as the time of king Solomon borrowed from the rainbow and mixed colours palette of the field to create through the various hues, an optical illusion, lately termed colour blocking.
It is a trend that has taken the world by storm. Just about everywhere you look, you are likely to see a woman draped in some assortment of colours, looking everyway beautiful. Kutlwano takes a look at this fad and advises on how you could turn yourself into a marvel by trying it out.
What Exactly Is Colour Blocking?
In colour blocking, the wearer arranges or places various colours – usually solid bright ones next to one another. It can also be done by way of sewing together in a creative way two or more fabrics with complementary colours.
In colour blocking, the three primary colours (red, blue and yellow) and secondary colours (purple, green and orange) can be used to create contrast. Nature`s colour palette is an assortment of hues - various blues and blacks of the seascape, lush greens of the jungle and hot, arresting reds of the corral reef. A skilled designer would understand the subtle interactions of these hues and bond them with layers of other colours to create a breathtaking garment. It is the way in which the assortment of colours is arranged that will define the look of the finished outfit. It is particularly complementary colours – those that are opposites – that tend to be aesthetically pleasing when put together.
Colour blocking is a simple and yet bold statement. It is a code that works well to unlock the beauty of any silhouette, flattering the shape it caresses. Finally, here is a way to effortlessly put together a successful look with little effort.
“I`ve been using colour blocking on myself and my clients for years!” claims one South African fashion expert. He adds that “One of the first and easiest ways to start colour blocking is to do it with a pair of shoes.” This is how to go about it: Take an attire with a serene colour such as navy blue and match it with bright coloured shoes, say red. Do not put too many colours in one outfit or you will look like a clown. Stick with solid colours. You would do well to keep jewellery to the minimum or skip it all together. Too much bling-bling will only distract from the beautiful overall effect of your colour blocking.
MAKE NO MISTAKE. Color blocking is not only for the womenfolk. Especially that male species termed “metrosexual” is particularly fascinated, and even fond of the fad. And yes, it does look good even on the macho!
THE ORIGINS OF COLOUR BLOCKING
Color blocking goes back to before Christ. When cautioning his disciples against worry, Jesus Christ talks about how “even [king] Solomon in all his glory could not beat the beauty of the lilies of the field”. King Solomon himself colour blocked!
Forward to the 1960, Britain and a new culture of colour blocking erupts. Mod fashion, as the culture was called ushered an innovative, bold and creative style of clothing that originally belonged only to London. The rest of the British youth took it up, and the rest of the world followed. Suddenly the pallid pastel palette of earlier fashion transformed into bright, bold colours that were often applied in geometric style. Eventually though, the trend receded and quieter, subtler colours replaced it.
But fashion has a cycle. It comes, evolves, goes into hibernation and comes back again. The colour blocking trend has flared up again. Gingerly setting in around 2009/2010, it boldly stepped it in sometime in 2011, gaining the popularity of millions around the world.
Today millions of men and women around the world colour block. Clothes long tucked away because other garments would not match suddenly are beautiful, the wonderful graphic element, the magical effect of colour blocking having transformed them into amazing architectural pieces.
Interestingly, colour blocking was previously scoffed by many in Botswana. Some tribes especially the Bakalanga, were known to colour block. A Kalanga woman would put on a blue skirt and a yellow blouse. Ridiculed then for dressing that way, they have been vindicated, and should in all fairness be regarded as the trademark owners of colour blocking in Botswana!
STYLES IN COLOUR BLOCKING
Colour blocking can assume the combination of pastel. Colour shades like pink, lime and cobalt blue can be combined to form a subtle colour block. It is a very soft combination that would go well with people who are only starting with the trend. Eventually the person experimenting can try out more prominent styles, which would include combining bright colours.
Accessories such as bags, head bands or bracelets can also be used to complete the look of colour blocking. Thankfully designers have used cool colour palettes for such accessories, allowing a natural beautiful blend worth feasting your eyes on. If you do not have one of those handbags or bracelet, stick with neutral ones. ENDS
Teaser:
THE SIGHT OF A RAINBOW IS BEAUTIFUL AND REFRESHING. AND SO IS AN ASSORTMENT OF FLOWERS. IN EITHER CASE, IT DOES NOT MATTER OVER WHAT TERRAIN OR HORIZON THE BEAUTY IS DISPLAYED. IT COULD BE OVER A FIELD FULL OF SCRAP METAL OR ON THE HORIZON OF A WAR-TORN COUNTRY...
