A few months ago, I stumbled on a coffee table book that is quite possibly one of my favorite purchases this year. It tells the story in glossy pictures of a world I already lived in. Beige is Not a Color by Carlos Mota, a Venezuelan-born interior decorator, stylist, and artist. Mota describes the importance of vibrant colors in his life and how they infiltrate his home décor, personal style, and overall aesthetic. When flipping through the pages of the book (edge-painted in crimson red) I am thoroughly inspired. Selections for my home and my closet are confirmed as I am swathed in a world of color. There is nothing wrong with a beige couch if flacked with lime green velour and blue toile pillows.
A glance at my wardrobe is a nod to the same. Lots of colors. There are some pastels and some jewel tones, yet I mostly stick to primary colors. Although, I am a sucker for neon. Color-draping with a professional stylist will reveal the color palette most conducive to your skin tone. Swatches of fabric are held against the face to watch the eyes illuminate based on shades. Are you a Winter looking best in navy blue & maroon or a Spring lighting up with shades of Coral and Mustard Yellow? My mantra: Slather on some extra bronzer and wear it all.
After getting sober I felt I had conquered one of the toughest challenges in my life.
I could risk some Kelly-green pants or a loud pink skirt.
Color by Design
A fascinating part of Mota’s coffee table book is how he quotes various fashion designers on their take on color. In many cases, fabric and textiles steer their collections based on inspiration from color. In Mota’s book, Carolina Herrera is quoted as saying “The sea is blue and so is the sky, but the color that gives radiance and brings everything out in other colors is green.” Tory Burch with her signature colorful packaging says, “Color is the first thing I notice when I enter a room.” Like Hermes, Tory Burch uses a lot of oranges. Unlike Hermes, this is not due to a 1940s shortage of cream colored-cardboard boxes. Orange is exhibited because it’s conveying joy and enthusiasm.
Color also plays an instrumental role in branding and marketing. Think Tiffany blue, Starbucks green, or UPS brown. Even confectionary brands selling gooey treats like Cadbury eggs use a very identifiable Purple. What would Christian Louboutin be without his signature red soles? By design, this branding scheme is intended to evoke a recognizable emotion of familiarity and trust. If there is a Tiffany blue box under the Christmas tree, I trust that Santa read my list and checked it twice.
Pop some (color) tags!
To that end, I snapped some pics of my favorite colors in garments and materials. Mostly everything pictured is either luxury resale or thrifted.
What time is it? Color time!
Purchased new are the SPGBK watches, my new favorite brand of large-faced silicon watches in a rainbow of vibrant colors. I will take one of each. I bought mine off an ad I saw on IG. (Yep. Sucked in, again.) Affordable and colorful luxury with a purpose? Sign me up @SPGBK Huge fan.
P.S. This column is all over the place, but I am wearing a rainbow of colors therefore it’s fitting. We as people are a million shades of everything and our sobriety can be too. I think it’s fabulous.
Grace & Glam,
Kate
SONGS WITH COLOR! Please enjoy this curated journey down memory lane that you didn’t even know you needed.
For an even more robust list of songs with colors in the song title or band name, check out this link over at BestLife
WALK YOUR TALK: Sober Fashionista Kate Vitela loves to celebrate fashion and the role it plays in our recovery. Getting ready for life can be just as fun if not more fun, now that we’re sober…because drunk never looks good.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
