Friday, October 31, 2008

Colour Palettes of the Miu Miu RTW Collections


Throughout Miu Miu's collections there is a notiable pattern in methods of application of colour. Collections are divided into 2, adopting different colour groups, varying between hot and cold colours. This creates a strong contrast in each collection and reflects Miu Miu's brand philosphy, where there are many different ways to define a woman.


Spring/Summer 2007

In line with Spring, Miuccia Prada considers Russian constructivism, as well as the elegance of an elongated line. Duchesse satin shirts and tunics color blocked in shades of navy, black, and wine, worn with high-waisted tapering pants are common in this collection. Dresses with touches of Africa (tribal prints) and Japan (origami-like folds of shiny fabric decorating the shoulder or hip) are a dominant look.


The entire collection

Navy is the most dominant colour used, occupying approximately 60% of the collection. There is a variation of the navy, as Prada uses differnt shades and tones of blue. The navy is often teamed with black to create subtle contrast, or paired with a high value, high chroma, blood red which gives a dramatic effect.

Tints, tones and shades of red are used throughout the collection, with approximately 20% of the outfits having red incorporated into its design.

20% of the collection includes white as a block colour. This creates a contrast against the rich high chroma hues. Using a lighter tint reflects the bright feeling of Spring/Summer.

30% of the collection uses BLACK and this is commonly paired with navy and other shades and tones of blue.

25% of the collection uses different tonal variations of the hue purple, which compliments the red.

Approximately 20% of the designs are patterned and 80% use block colours.

Pantone Colours:





The common principle applied in this collection is the Principle of Order, where there are lots of variations of the same hue. This creates a monochromatic effect. For example, the hue of red is used in the collection, however differnt shades and tints of red are also used, such as plum, wine and burgendy.

Autumn/Winter 2007

A sample of the collection

There are variety of tints, shades and tones of brown used in approximately 43% of thecollection

1/3 of the collection is made up from black, including tones of grey

15% of the garments are red. Tones of orange are also used, but it is hard to differentiate between the two, as the variation of orange in its secondary form is so subtle. Tints of pink are also prominent, however it is used more sparingly.

Blue is used to add contrast to the warm colours in the range, making up only 6% of the garments. In this case, it is used as an accent to the collection and creates variation and interest.

Autumn/Winter 08



A sample of the collection

Just over 90% of the collection features black as well as tints and tonal variations such as grey. Black is used as a base colour and as a block. It is used to accentuate the collection and add depth. It also creates stark contrast with the high value, high chroma hues of green and orange.

25% of the collection incorporates different shades, tints and tones of the hue green into the designs. Different shades of green are paired together in a lot of the outfits to give a monochromatic effect, creating fluidity and harmony. However, green is often teamed with black for dramatic contrast, which adds emphasis on the high value of the colours.

Orange: 18% The orange used in this collection has a very high value and high chroma. This creates a strong and vibrant contrast between the black. Teaming contrasting high and low values like this gives a dramatic effect and falls in line with the exciting sports/futuristic feel of the collection.

Red accounts for 15% of the collection. Here, Prada applies the Complimentary Colour method, where red and green, two colours opposite on the wheel are paired together. The red used is a high value and low chroma, creating a rich wine tone. This adds to the aggressive and receeding feel of the collection.

Spring/Summer 09



Black dominates this collection, being featured in 56% of the designs. It is used mainly as a block colour, but is also applied to the designs as a small feature, such as on accessories to accentuate other colours.

Brown is dominant colour used in this collection with variations of lighter tints such as beige and cream. This makes up for approximately 1/3 of the collection.

Red is used as an accent in this collection, being featured on only 8% of the designs. It is used as a point of contrast, being paired with black to add an aggressive and warm feel.

Prints are featured heavily in this collection using pink, yellow, red, black, blue and orange. This adds a light, Spring feel to the collection and contrasts greatly with the dramatic use of high value blood red and black. Prints make up 38% of the collection and adds an African theme. The collection appears to be split into two: plain and patterned. Bright patterns and colours used in the prints and bold blocks of red and back are used in the plain.

Summary

Overall, the key colour combinations used throughout the Miu Miu Collections are:

Red + Black

Brown + Beige + Cream

Accenting Colours = Green + Orange + Blue

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