My Issue with Pantone...

First of all, let me say, it has nothing to do with the colors. In fact, I'm rather fond of them. (I've shown some examples of my favs here.)

See...what happened wuz...I started flipping through the online Fall Color Report, (You can get it here) and I was immediately struck by the artists' illustrations of the women that I was seeing.

Strand Japanese Mocha Jasper Stone Cushion by SmartBirdStudio
Pantone: Oyster Gray and Rose Dust

Now, I know that this topic has been beat deader than a dead horse, but I consider myself to be kind of on the fringes of the high fashion world (okay, so I'm not even on the same planet) so, I was kind of stunned to see how skinny these women were in these illustrations.

A Tear in Amethyst Ring by Mercury Orchid
Pantone: Purple Orchid

I mean, I'm not sure how Ella Moss' little chickadee sportin' the chocolate truffle is supposed to be standing up, but please don't run into her on a crowded street! You'll break both her legs! (and quite possibly her arms!)




Quilting Fabric, Nicey Jane Collection by Heather Bailey from Mimis
Pantone: Lagoon and Golden Glow

That's to say nothing of Thuy's Golden Glow, who seems to have lost not only her thighs, but her shoulders as well.
And I shall not even mention Tommy Hilfiger's Lipstick Red, but I'm sure it was the color that should have mimicked a tube of lipstick and not her ankles.

Don't Leave Me This Way, Mori Girl, Handknit Scarf by Knotoriginal
Pantone: Woodbine

Now, I understand that these are idealized and stylized images....but is that not the problem? These designers are held up as the purveyors of fashion and this is their ideal, their style, one that is physicaly impossible to attain.

I know this is an old topic, and this is one of the reasons that I vehemently avoid newstands, but for some reason, flipping through the Pantone report the other day, it really annoyed me.
I guess the non-reality of the whole thing really hit me.

Anyway, back to reality....new work tomorrow!