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Every spring, fashionistas the world over cast their discerning eyes on the catwalks of London, Paris, and New York for the phenomenon known as Fashion Week. Most of the trends in hair and fashion will be decided by a select few, and their decisions will dictate what's hot and what's not. But just how do these designers know what colors and fabrics will be trendy?

Simple. They turn to Pantone, Inc., the global authority on trendspotting. The Pantone Fashion Color Report has been the industry standard for almost half of a century, and their report is the first and last word on what colors will be in demand by the fashion-hungry public. Haven't you ever watched a fashion show and wondered how all of the designers decided to work off of the same color palette when designing their collections? Or how they all managed to use the same materials? Are all of the designers conspiring together? Nope. They are just following the recommendations made by Pantone.

So just what will we be seeing this spring and summer? According to the report, the colors will be classic neutrals which capture the essence of the season. Olive, pink, freesia, and cantaloupe will abound on runways this spring, accented by bright, vibrant splashes of color. Pale pastels and dusty neutrals will be the colors, and what better way to utilize such shades than with fabrics like twill, lace, poplin and silk? Think urban ethno-chic. Think of Bombay in the springtime. Think of hemp, bamboo, and wicker baskets. You'll be seeing alot of these influences as well, mostly used as accessories.

How should one wear her hair and make-up with such a diverse palette of colors and textures? Hair will be simple and elegant, the color reflecting the neutral shades used in the designers' spring and summer collections. Rich natural browns like coffee and mocha and caramel. Sandy blondes. Rust-colored reds. The emphasis is on colors inspired by nature. Make-up will be subtle, yet shimmery. With so many neutral and earthy colors being used this year, shimmery eyes and lips will be necessary to add just the right amount of "oomph" to complete the look. Pinks will be playing a big role in lip and nail color, and don't be surprised to see orange-reds and golden reds.

Springtime is the season of new growth and renewal; a chance to forget the past and look ahead to a bright new future. With this in mind, we will be saying goodbye to metallics and animal prints and dangly "bling", discarded in favor of things like hemp, tortoise-shell, lace, and leather. The world of fashion has a way of leading us to unexplored places which push the boundaries of imagination (and sometimes, taste); but every now and then the Gods of Fashion have a way of bringing us back to earth, back to the things that grow and live and breathe, and back to the elements which make up our existence. This is the inspiration for Spring and Summer 2008.

Learn more about this author, Marlin Bressi.
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