Links of research of Miu Miu from my groupmates

http://07277494d.blogspot.com/
http://07218553d.blogspot.com/

Written Report

Color family of Miu Miu 2009 FW collections

Miu Miu is the sister line of Prada. It projects a young, energetic and fun image to the customers. Its colors are used in many more new ways than Prada's. In the past, Miu Miu mainly used monochromatic colors, in a conservative way. In the recent years, Miu Miu collections unfolded that the designer kept experimenting different colors and kept surprising customers. However, the designer Miucci Prada has her certain preferenced colors, like high chroma red, low value brown, black, etc.

To forecast Miu Miu's color trend, I analyse some aspects below.

Last few seasons, Miu Miu contained a lot of colors that are high chroma and high value, including red, green and blue. The designer loves shiny fabric also.

Last two seasons, color family like red, pink and purple are used. The designer probably will not use them again. Cool colors such as blue and green should be chosen. However, the world was overwhelmed by high chroma blue last year. The consequent bold color impulses may start to get customers bored. So I choose colors that are less bright, like this blue. For the light green, it is a peaceful and relaxing color. It let people's eyes take a rest from those strong colors. Its intensity is quite fresh in Miu Miu's past collections. I just take a risk to put it into the color family.

For high chroma orange and red, they are both used in a certain proportion every two seasons last ten years, alternately. Since red has been used last two seasons, orange has a great chance to be used in the coming season. So I predict high chroma orange will be present in 2009 fall/win ter collection! Furthermore, this kind of red and orange has become the brand identity. They easily come out Miu Miu customers' mind when they think of its collections.

Another color, black, is always present, especially for fall/winter collections. I would also like to add grey and white to the color family as they usually combine with black to form monochromatic colors in Miu Miu's collections.

In order to keep the color combinations in a way of ''visual relaxation''. I try to put colors of blue, green and grey chosen in a large proportion in the collection. But the constantly used orange quite stimulates eyes. It is put in a small proportion.

Based on the core colors Miu Miu used over ten years and its timeline of color family, it is found that Miucci Prada loves to adopt monochromatic, analogous and contrasting color schemes. As usual, they all are predicted to be adopted in the coming season.

Proportion of color in the collection

About the collection, it is of the theme "Superwoman". It is fit and layering on the shoulder looks like armor. It has a little bit architectual design. This collection emphasizes feminism and praises those tough and playful young ladies.

I don't want any colors or color combinations emphasize ''girly'' and ''feminine'' elements, such as pale pink, pale purple.

I need those ''cooler'' and yet gentle and soft. So low value green and blue is put. Stiff geometric pattern forms by the triadic colors, orange, green and blue. Achromatic colors are added to help the chromatic colors stand out.

Here is the mood of the collection.

It is very common for Miu Miu to use shiny fabric.
Here is the shiny, textured fabric that I would like to use in 2009 FW collection since the dresses all get a strong and stiff silhouette, especially the armor like layering on the shoulder.

The outfits are discussed one by one as follow.

1st outfit: Complementary color scheme is adopted.

Blue vs Orange

Achromatic colors, black and grey, help the complementary colors stand out.

2nd outfit: Triadic color scheme

Green, Blue, Orange
Achromatic color black helps the triadic colors stand out.

3rd outfit: Monochromatic color scheme
Blue

Achromatic colors, grey and white, help blue stand out.

4th outfit: Analogous color scheme
Blue, Green
They harmonize the feeling of the outfit given.

5th outfit: Triadic color scheme
Orange, Green, Blue

Orange occupies a small proportion while blue occupies the largest proportion so as to reduce the degree of stimulation from orange.

6th outfit: Monochromatic color scheme

Green
Aromatic colors, black and grey, help green stand out. Since the value of green and grey are similar, they harmonize the look of the outfit.

color forecasting

Final set chosen

Choose color contact lens for fashion!!!

There are BIG TIPS:

Step1Make an appointment with an optometrist to get a prescription for colored contact lenses. A prescription is required to purchase even non-corrective colored lenses. Department stores such as J.C.Penney or Colleges of Optometry at a local university are inexpensive options to consider for an eye exam.

Step2Think about the best color options for skin tone, hair color and personality prior to the eye appointment. The doctor will help with the final decision even if you're undecided at the appointment.

Step3Review different types of colored lenses used to alter or enhance eye color, enhancement tints and color tints. Look at Freshlook Colorblends or Acuvue 2 brands to browse available color options.

Step4Choose opaque color tint lenses for dark-colored eyes to completely change the eye color. Some color options include hazel, dark brown, blue, green, lavender, green or gray. If the goal is to make a subtle change in eye color, select natural colored lenses such as hazel in lieu of colors such as lavender. The latter is best for those seeking a dramatic change in appearance.

Step5Select enhancement tint color contact lenses for use on light-colored eyes. The purpose of enhancement tints is to enhance the natural color by making it more intense but not necessarily totally change the eye color. For instance, a light blue-eyed person might select a royal blue enhancement tint in order to have stronger blue eyes.

Step6Decide on a wear option. Contact lenses are either disposable or permanent wear. Disposable lenses are inexpensive, last for up to a month and are a good option for someone wanting to sample different colors.

Fashion Color Forecast for Autumn/Winter 2009/10 from fashiontrendsetter.com

"Assuring Heritage" explores dark colors often to be seen in medieval costume drama. Dark browns, dark plums, dark greens and bright gold provide a reminder of European royal courts especially when combined with later color groups. Drama, luxury and sophistication make these colors suitable for young and modern looking with a feel for the past.

"Ambitious Sobriety" uses dark blue and dark brown to contrast with a rainy day gray to provide a reminder of winter skies as the days grow darker and rain and snow threaten countryside and town alike. Sombre the colors may be but there is also a feeling of deep strength in the face of winter. Snow, ice and frost are the thoughts in mind as these colors move across the eastern border beyond East Berlin and into Eastern Europe.

The next group brings in the cheer that also forms a part of winter as parties and festivities are celebrated. "Being the Fabulous" suggests fabulous bright colors for all those glamour occasions when something cheerful is the order of the day, or more likely evening. Not pastels and yet not deep colors, grays, rose, clay, green and barberry not only draw from nature but also have an air of mistiness that contributes to their individuality. Vienna comes to mind as the colors reflect frozen surfaces and the theater and ballroom.

Take away the mistiness and colors move into "Artisan Richness". They range across tan, gray, black and plum, echoing the tones of other color groups having slightly lighter shades. Here are reflections of evenings spent around the camp fires during the long trek to the unknown west.

However, Miu Miu seldom follow the world color trend. It has its own color trend all the time. So the world fashion color forecast may not right for Miu Miu.

ex. 5 - fashion forecasting and the driving forces of fashion

>>>click to view the original size

Tissue box!

Ha! The tissue I daily used has its box of analogous color combinations. It includes large proportion of high chroma orange, with low and high value orange. It appeals to the customer as it projects happy and clear elements with white added.

sketch for the color forecasting collection

traditional Japanese color

I find an interesting article about Japnaese colors from the website http://www.temarikai.com/meaningoftraditionalcolors.htm

We always find red and white, blue and white, these two color combinations for Japanese fashion. They have certain meaning. Red and White are auspicious colors (good luck). You will find the two colors used for many special occasions, such as weddings, and births.

Blue and White are also prominent colors in Japanese fabrics and dishware. Yukata is a blue and white cotton fabric used to make summer kimonos called "yukata". It is also used for the "temari-like" patterns found throughout their dishware.

The website also tells that Japanese culture is closely linked with the seasons, so each month is also represented by a nature reference.

January Pine: sprout green and deep purple
February Redblossom plum: crimson and purple
March Peach: peach and khaki
April Cherry: white and burgundy
May Orange Flower: deadleaf yellow and purple
June Artemesia: sprout green and yellow
July Lily: red and deadleaf yellow
August Cicada wing: cedar bark and sky blue
September Aster: lavender and burgundy
October Bush Clover: rose and slate blue
November Maple: vermilion and grey-green
December Chrysanthemum: lavender and deep blue

A color chart for Japanese colors

people from different background

These two girls are in black, except one of them using a red bag.
They totally apply achromatic color scheme on their outfits.



The woman wearing an specially-designed headphone also applies achromatic color combination on her outfit.



This girl with big smile uses interesting color theories on her outfit. She probably loves dull colors, such as low intensity red, orange and green. These colors are analogous and contrasting, and quite retro when they combine together.

The guy sitting on his stall wears an army green jacket and yellowish brown pants. Ha! He adopts the analogous color scheme.

ex. 4 - designing color collections

Some interesting color combinations are chosen.





Final set chosen.

It adopts analogous, contrasting and triadic color schemes.


I try to use principle of novelty. .
There are dull colors matching bright colors, like low intensity green vs red, and low intensity green vs high chroma blue.
Hopefully, it is fresh and energetic.

Miuccia's preference

'I make ugly clothes from ugly materials: simply bad taste. But they end up looking good anyway.’ Miucca Prada said.

Miucca Prada has developed a unique style that skillfully mixes intellectual purity and eccentric elegance, futuristic minimalism and multicultural inspiration. Perhaps better than any other designer, she represents the global aesthetic of the 1900s.Visionary,instinctive,curious,and attuned to rapid changes in dress and society, Prada bases her decisions on a number of clear and basic rules. First all, she believes in experimentation---in materials, lines, mixes of influences, and inspirations. Second, she believes in creating fashion for a clientele without using age as a criterion: ‘age is a non-criterion because it would be limiting.’ Third, her design respond to the concept of ‘conscious modernity’ without adhering to any aesthetic preconceptions, and take risks when the mood strikes---as they are the result of imagination and rationality.

According to Miuccia Prada, being in the forefront is not a choice. ‘I follow my instinct; and even if I question whether what I am doing makes perfect sense to me or others, in reality the important thing is that I thoroughly believe in it.’

Miuccia Prada part ii

Miu Miu is the more affordable, less-couture collection she had created to appeal to a larger audience as well as counter balance her more traditional and grown-up taste, as displayed in her Prada collection.

Miucca Prada's vision of the Miu Miu women is continuously redefined. With each chapter becoming yet another facet of a crystalline,complicated feminine ideal.Where an ingrained elegance meets immediacy and lightness.Where independence,improbably meets sensuality,where sophistication meets nonchalance.The very definition of creative
transformation.To complement a woman who is possible to define.

Timeline of Color Family 2000 - 2003

>click to enlarge photo

Bjork - All is full of love

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjAoBKagWQA

This video is about two lesbian robots in love with each other. Achromatic color combination is used. It creates strong impact to our eyes. Though it feels like cold, the emotion it express touches me.

SS 2000

Theme:
This Miu Miu line, aptly entitled "Almost a Lady," was an intelligent play on the discreet charm of the modern—and young—bourgeoisie. Classic prep ensembles were reinvented with '90s shine, attitude and confidence.

>The colors she used was plain, low intensity, like pale pink, to match with brown and black. They can be found from nature so that they appeal to people. Color theories applied: monochromatic color scheme, analogous color combination.

Main Colors Used:

Pantone 698 C, pantone 876 C

FW 2000

Theme:
It was an eminently wearable, simple and refined collection, centered on sweet, girly dresses—pale-rose chiffon slips, some gathered or bunched--and the season's all-important essential—the perfect jacket. Loose coats with rounded shoulders, ample shiny skirts and fitted tweed suits successfully acknowledged the '40s-inspired elegance present in much of the Fall collections.

>It extends the color combination used in the SS00, like monochromatic, analogous. Achomatic scheme is added. it is still easy to carry and appeal to girls as much pale-rose is used.

Color family:

It is 40s-inspired elegance!