As a jeweler, no other color could have pleased me more. However, in other walks of life I am wary. Very wary.
"Radiant Orchid"
The name conjures exoticism. (Now readily available at Trader Joe's for around twelve bucks.) Delicate architectural blooms. (That seem structurally impossible.) Of time spent in the orchid house at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. (Where, come to think of it, very few blooms were actually in this color family.)
Radiant Orchid has a rather open-ended-ness* about it. A subjective guideline to a range of pinky violets in sapphires and spinels, rich raspberry rhodolite, warm pink tourmaline, subtle hues in kunzite, even rosy diamonds that hail from Australia. Materials I love and have used for years in my jewelry. Colors people are naturally drawn to. Colors that provide a textural palette of light.
(*so what word would you use?)
My Wariness
So back to my wariness. I fear the fallout of Radiant Orchid will haunt us for years to come. From the interiors quarter, I've heard from friends there that hellish purple rooms abound already on the shelter magazine/blog circuit.
The term "Purple Goddess" pops into my head. You've crossed paths with her. Perhaps you've known one. Perhaps you are one. (And that thought causes an awkward silence in the studio...)
So our "Purple Goddess" LOVES purple with abandon! And it would be pronounced "GOD-ess" as in Green Goddess dressing. Not "gah-DESS" like the posh Mr. Darcy spoke to Kiera Knightly in his declaration of love.
I admire the unabashed passion when no opportunity for incorporating purple into her wardrobe and life is left untapped: shoes, handbags, scarves, gloves, wallets, toasters, Brita pitchers, calculators... To think, an entire industry of purple could be built around this avid consumer. So she is rejoicing in the abundance of products that will be made available upon Pantone's declaration. But how will the rest of us fare?
When Radiant Orchid Works
The lavish use of violet akin to "Radiant Orchid" at the Four Seasons in Firenze, offset by blues and grey and dark walnut floor. I want to live in that bathroom. So does the "Purple Goddess."
Another beautiful example from a recent edition of Veranda shows walls that certainly fall within the subjective range of "Radiant Orchid" handled with finesse. Again, offset by blues, grey and brown. Don't want to live there, but wouldn't mind being a weekend guest.
So let's just say the Radiant Orchid spectrum needs to be treated with respect and restraint: An amazing accent. A statement piece. A colorful variant to the pinks and blues already in your closet. A rich counterpoint to greys and brown, or say last year's color of the year: Emerald.
Pantone's Process
Pantone's anticipatory process always fascinates me. I couldn't help but notice today that months ago I felt compelled to change the color of the buttons on my website. Seems like a dead ringer for "Radiant Orchid" doncha think? What prescient indicators were they reading to forecast this color. We'll never know for sure. Twice a year Pantone hosts secret meetings in a European capital with representatives from various nations' color standards groups. (Does the NSA know about this?) After two days of presentations and debate a color is chosen that somehow connects the global zeitgeist.
I look for ascending color trends, colors that are being used in broader ways and broader context than before...In this case, Radiant Orchid descends from the purple family, which is kind of a magical color that denotes creativity and innovation. Purple is just that kind of a complex, interesting, attracting kind of color...[The] back-story to purple is that it inspires confidence in your creativity, and we're living in a world where that kind of creative innovation is greatly admired. In the world of color, purple is an attention-getter, and it has a meaning. It speaks to people, and we felt that it was time for the purple family to be celebrated. That's why we chose the particular shade called Radiant Orchid.
- Leatrice Eiseman, executive director
After spending time writing about Radiant Orchid I must admit... I'm ready for a sheer Radiant Orchid lipstick. With just a hint of Honeysuckle (Pantone Color of the Year 2011) and a shimmer of Tangerine Tango (Pantone Color of the Year 2012). Throw in a blusher too.
A parting shot that I received in an email while working on this draft. I'd say a couple of those darker sapphires are a beautiful example of "Radiant Orchid." Wouldn't you?
