Meet Light Summer, Lisa Swisher. Lisa and I met each other years ago watching our son's play baseball. We were always interested in each other's businesses so I welcomed the opportunity to speak about color harmony at an event at her fabric shop, Sew Creative in Fairport, NY. The audience attendees were primarily experienced sewing enthusiasts who made their own clothing.
Sew Creative is an excellent setting for a discussion about color harmony because the shop is filled with gorgeous colorful fabrics surrounded by beautiful quilts, table cloths, clothing and other creative projects that provided the perfect visual in explaining the difference between a masterpiece and one that doesn't quite work.
When you spend the time to create your own clothing, it is particularly important to ensure that you get the right colors, styles and understand the science.
I have been working with color my entire career. As the owner of Sew Creative, I am constantly dealing with color in both merchandising and product selection. Back in the 80’s my mother also did color analysis for our customers. Does anyone remember Color Me Beautiful?
Carole Jackson's Color Me Beautiful and her home-based 4 season color analysis system were a 1980's pop-culture phenomenon. We have Color Me Beautiful to thank for bringing personal color analysis to the mainstream. Because it was over simplified into a 4 season system and structured to accommodate home parties and quick determination of a season, it made personal color analysis a frivolous trend.
Professional color consultants are still overcoming that stigma and the misleading information cultivated decades ago. Many people, including me, struggled to figure out what colors suited us until discovering the more fine tuned 12 season personal color analysis system based on Albert Munsell's color theories.
Lisa and I had typical experiences in the 4 season color system. She was told she was a Summer and I was told I was a Spring. The colors were close but just didn't give the magic of our Light Summer seasonal tone which falls between Summer and Spring. For her, the Summer colors from the 1980's were just a bit too muted and cool. For me, the Spring colors were too bright and warm. With the 12 color season system we now have the perfect balance of all 3 dimensions - light, cool and soft.
When I came to Kerry’s studio with our group to have our colors done I had an idea that I would be in the summer range. I was amazed at how precisely Kerry was able to define our color palettes. It was really an exciting experience. It really is empowering to know what color will be the most flattering and I always get compliments on what I am wearing when it is in my palette.
I am now much more conscious of choosing fabrics for the shop in a wide range to allow all of the seasons to find something that will appeal to them. I really enjoy watching my customers wandering through the fabrics and seeing what colors they are drawn to whether it is for a garment they want to make or a quilt they are imagining.
Sew Creative offers a wide variety of classes and special events in addition to fabrics, notions and equipment.
Read about other's colorful journeys in these recent blog posts!
Financial Wellness and Harmony Advisor, Light Spring, Erica Cummings
Capsule Wardrobe Specialist, Warm Spring, Andrea Bonawitz
Personal Stylist, Bright Spring, Kelly McCarthy
Community Educator, Bright Winter, Danielle Raymo
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I am filled with joy and gratitude in introducing you to my pathfinder, friend and colleague in embracing simplicity and harmony in our surroundings - Personal Space Visionary and founder of Wylde Grace Studio, Lyn Nene.
I was transformed when I first learned some simple practices about the ancient art of Feng Shui from Lyn decades ago. We instantly connected that our homes are an extension of ourselves and the significance of color and simplicity in the clothing and spaces that surround us. I have enjoyed sharing the journey with Lyn in getting to the essence of the services we offer our clients, transforming ourselves and our businesses.
We agree that your personal space is the next level of expressing a harmonious balanced and simplified life and are introducing a special package “Color Me Clutter Free in the Bedroom” for Indigo Tones clients combining a personal color analysis with a personal space consultation using Lyn’s unique and modernized Feng Shui principals.
Read more about how Lyn’s life has brightened, her work has evolved and her business has grown after discovering her bright spring colors in this month’s colorful lives blog.
I observed grace under pressure in a high pitched environment when I met this month’s Bright Winter feature: Cindy Christi at the United States National Pageant several years ago. As founder of Cindy Christi TV, Cindy helps CEO’s, Speakers, Best Selling Authors, On-Air Personalities and Pageant Contestants fall in love with their brand voice, so they can step into the spotlight and lead their legacy with confidence, clarity and ease.
Our roles at the pageant were aligned in helping the contestants and National Titleholders shine on stage and throughout their reign. Cindy’s professionalism and ease in front of the camera and steadying presence onstage set the tone for contestants and the pageant as a whole.
I noticed how she stood out in some of the bright clothing she wore and offered to determine which bright colors were her best; Bright Winter? Bright Spring?
It was clear right away that she was a Bright Winter when I started draping her. Wow! She truly lights up the room in the right pops of color.
Learn more about Cindy’s color-filled journey and how applying her perfect shades elevates her brand, business and homelife in this month’s Colorful Lives blog.
The past year I had the fortune to get to know an amazing couple who uniquely embraced growth through color and brought much inspiration to me personally and professionally. They worked as a team with me to modify their wardrobes, redo their closet and bring all they learned during their color consultation into other aspects of their lives.
In October, I introduced you to Warm Autumn, Erin Sirianni and now it is my pleasure for you to meet her Cool Winter husband, Danny. While Danny's coloring is dark and cool, his personality is warm and open. As a Realtor and business owner of Sirianni Realty, he understands that real estate decisions are made visually and viscerally. He saw immediately the value in wearing flattering and harmonious colors and promptly incorporated it into his approach to his business.
Read more about his journey in this month's colorful lives blog.
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