Color Inspiration - Keep Your Eyes Open, Always!

As a designer and artist, I'm always looking at colors. And the colors can come from anywhere or anything. You might find it amusing from where some of my inspiration comes when working on Dunitz & Company designs.

Some of you may know that I took a lovely vacation for two weeks, not too long ago, mostly spent in the north of Spain. It was so fun discovering locations I'd never been. The art, architecture and food did not disappoint. Maybe the food was just a little bit too inspiring. Ha. Here are a few pics that boast excellent colors. In no particular order, here are a few pics from my trip that give me pause for thought.

The art museum in Oviedo was absolutely amazing. And huge, I might add. It was absolutely impossible to see and digest it in it's entirety. You'd need days, we didn't have. This portrait by Luis Pardo definitely inspired me. I adore the way he used green to communicate the stubble for his mustache and beard. For me this is such an excellent combination of colors. Black, Green, Beige & Grey.

 

 

 

I'm addicted to sugar. This translates my having eaten A LOT of desserts on my vacation. Yum. The first cookies I ate on my vacation came from this batch. I'm sure it's the colors that spoke to me first. Brown, Red & Beige.

 

On our last day of Spain we traipsed through several parks including the Parque de El Retiro. This park was enormous and was very close to the backside of the also enormous Prado Museum. It seems odd to travel all the way to Spain for the "change in leaves." As it turned out, that is what we experienced. Every color in the earthy rainbow. Green, Gold, Brown & Rust.

 

 

 

 

 Discovering Santander was fantastic. For most tourists, this city of approximately 170,000 is definitely off the beaten path. It was lovely strolling along the coastline and taking in so much beauty. Randomly I looked left, when most people would be looking right - right at the water. What I discovered was a huge vehicle for recycling. I actually watched a woman carefully dumping things in the glass section, then the paper section, then the old clothing section and other sections. Yes to the people of Spain's efforts to taking care of the environment. And check out the various shades of green. Blue Green, Lime Green, Sea-foam Green, Yellow-Green! Nice for Spring jewelry, don't you think?

Exploring Basque Territory was fascinating. I can see why the rich and famous adore San Sebastian. It's a gorgeous resort. But gee whiz, I sure was attracted to Bilbao which was a bit more gritty. The Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank Gehry is a site to be seen. For jewelry color combinations, random painted buildings in Bilbao seemed a bit more inspirational. Here's a cool stretch of buildings with excellent colors. Beige, Pink, Blue & Garnet Red.

 

 

 

If you follow my personal Instagram, you probably know I'm a nut for street art. I'm often inspired by the color choices of other artists. This random drawing on a store gate is no exception. This was snapped in Madrid. Pinky-Beige, Ruddy Brown & Sea-foam-esque Blue. OK - that was a bit specific in my description of color. This piece of art wasn't created with just any shade of blue or brown!

 

In my past, I've been accused of being too monochromatic and having a love of neutral colors. This has never changed. I was traveling with a friend and when we couldn't choose which giant cream filled cookie we wanted to share, we opted for one of each. Chocolate Brown, Pale Beige, Snow White.

 

 

 

When in Spain, do as the Spanish do. Eat lots and lots of tapas. And it varies from city to city. Endless tapas. And often these beautiful, small pieces of art are so easy on the eyes, you hardly want to sink your teeth into them. Or perhaps you do! Yes I love anchovies and they are lovely in color. Browns, Salmon, Grass Green, Olive Green, Yellow. (I'm inclined to not add the white white of goat cheese to my color combos!)

 

This is all you get from me today on my honing in on colors. But you get the gist. I can't encourage you enough to pause and check out the artistry and color of EVERYTHING! Want to know what will inspire some of our new color combinations for the next season of Dunitz & Company jewelry? It might be lodged in one of the photos shared here. -ND

Hooray for Classic Blue - 2020 Color of the Year

You've heard me time and time again say that blue has always been Dunitz & Company's best selling color. And dark deep ocean blue (aka Classic) has always been right up top. What was Pantone waiting for? I've been designing and offering fashion jewelry since 1990, and it's only this year that "Classic Blue" has been named "Color of the Year?"  I think it should be crowned Color of the Decade! Or perhaps the Century.


The fashion mags are already having a field day showing off how you can wear blue all year long. Did Pantone not know that we've already been wearing deep shades of blue all year long, every year? We didn't need prompting. My guess is, is instead of anointing colors like Living Coral (2019) or Ultra Violet (2018), they'd choose a color that was safe and stable for people during these somewhat turbulent times.You can interpret what I mean by turbulent. But, heck, Classic Blue is like eating meatloaf, it's comfort food all the way.

Vogue magazine editors jumped on the bandwagon quickly. It was the first post I read featuring clothing from the Spring 2020 runway shows featuring shades of classic blue. Of course, all of the well known designers had created their offerings long before Pantone announced their queen color. Like me, the likes of Gucci, Marni and Marc Jacobs always know the masses love dark rich shades of blue.

So, now I get to act really smart. Dunitz & Company will have lots of classic blue for Spring 2020. Our newest colors will launch next month at the wholesale gift shows. Dunitz will debut our latest designs in all of our new colors at the LA Mart Temporaries and NY NOW.  But here are a few advance teasers for you all.

Our glass jewelry is always a crowd-pleaser. And I proudly state that these wonderful color combinations that include peaceful, safe and comforting blue, were all created long before Pantone's announcement. Gosh we're smart!





Are you a fan of Dunitz & Company's beaded jewelry? I'm guessing you might be since you're reading our blog, and we've been offering seed bead jewelry for almost 3 decades. Yikes. Yes, THREE decades. Dunitz will offer several new color combos with the flair of blue. These two show off a dash of classic. Smirk. Smirk.

Can I stretch the story further? How about paintings for the millennium that sing of classic blue? The most famous paintings of all time for your ears. The Wave & Starry Night. These are some of our best sellers. For that reason, I'll take any opportunity to put them smack dab in front of your face. Perfect for museum shops, hipster boutiques and your ears!



So there you have it. Hip Hip Hooray for Classic Blue.  Dunitz & Company is all about this rich, safe, homey, comfortable color we just want to wrap our arms around.  Find it in a store near you this season. And of course, we hope your choice will be our fair trade jewelry! -ND

Bright White - A Must for Spring 2020

Seems Dunitz & Company will be right on trend for Spring 2020. NYFW (New York Fashion Week) still has a few days to go, and one thing is clear. White clothing will be everywhere next season. Harper's Bazaar editors highlight 'Le White Suit' in their recent trend report. Me? After scouring the shows online, I noticed a prevalence of pheasant type necklines. These pant suits on the right are offered up by Tori Burch, Mara Hoffman and Adeam. Don't worry your pretty little head. When the time is right, Dunitz & Company will be offering plenty of white fused glass and seed bead earrings, bracelets and necklaces.

NYFW - White on Trend

And here are a few more runway looks to prove my point. Bright White is a must for Spring 2020. From left to right, starting from the top. Dennis Basso. Gabriela Hearst. Herve Leger. Cushnie. Anna Sui. Alexander Wang. Cynthia Rowley. Josie Natori. Sally LaPointe. Ya gotta see what I mean, no?


White was "big" for Spring 2019. It will be even bigger for 2020. I was amazed when one retailer we sell to told me that they kept receiving special requests for our white fused glass earrings all (this) summer long. Are you a Dunitz retailer? If so, keep this in mind when you place your Spring 2020 orders.


Do you know it hasn't been since Spring 2012 that I've offered a true white combination in our seed bead collection? I've offered off-white, combinations with beige - but not white-white. Well we'll definitely have it for 2020.

White on White - Joanie M Fused Glass

And you better believe our white color combo for our Joanie M fused glass will return next spring! With a hint of silver, it's perfect.






Stay tuned to Dunitz & Company blog. (You can even sign up and have our posts emailed to you. Follow this link and look to the bottom right of the page.) I'm sure I'll be highlighting some other fashionable colors that you'll want to plan for. How? Either by having appropriate clothing in your own closet for your own pleasure. Or in your store, for the pleasure of others.-ND

Yellow - Be Brave My Fashionistas

Oooo. Yellow for fashion has always scared me a bit. And as we embark on our looks for 2019, Dunitz & Company fair trade jewelry is offering some sunny and brave alternatives. Heck, Glamour Magazine has boldly stated that "Yellow is the Biggest Color Trend for Spring."




Seriously! If Carolina Herrera, Max Mara and Marc Jacobs can offer yellow- so can we. This list goes on and on. Lanvin. Bottega Veneta. Balenciaga. Brandon Maxwell. Lela Rose. Etro. Monse. Kate Spade New York. Oscar de la Renta. Should I keep typing? Even after reading this long list of top designers banking on yellow, you may reconsider your wearables for the soon to be warmer weather.





Is the concept of yellow jiving with you yet? Marie Claire magazine also confirms that "yellow" is on the money.  Their recent trend article offered up some images of more subtle yellow shades, even if they were coined 'egg-yolk yellow'. Can I say this confused me a bit? These designs featured by Marie Claire (Jonathan Simkhai. Tibi. Escada. Rodarte.) reveal lovely softer yellows, definitely not egg-yolk. (I think these outfits are definitely an easier wear for the not-so-brave.)

Pantone, as you may know, made a huge study of all the runway fashion shows before announcing their colors for Spring 2019. Their "Aspen Gold" sure sounds sexier than Egg Yolk. The shade - very similar. The feeling? Bold. Warm. Sunny. Happy. So, I say, be brave, bring on the yellow. Even a paler yellow.  (Did you know I painted my house yellow? Random non-sequitur, I know. It definitely is a "happy" color.)







My guess is most of you don't have much vibrant yellow clothing in your closet. You might not choose to invest big dollars in an outfit you might rarely wear. You may not have the time to scour thrift shops for the perfect yellow trousers, raincoat or sweater.  And frankly, you just may not be brave enough to publicly wear such a bold shade. (A few years ago, I went out and bought a pair of loud pink corduroys because they were supposedly right on-trend. Do you know how many times I wore them? Once!) I understand all of it. There is a solution! Accessories! Bring them on.

So, this is definitely where Dunitz & Company with our fair trade jewelry makes the pitch.  One does not need to be brave to don a bold yellow necklace or pair of earrings. Our bright accents will add pizazz to any outfit and scream 'on-trend'. Be that gal. Go for it! Dunitz & Company's Joanie M fused glass collection is offering a wonderfully sunny combination for Spring 2019. (Check out the square pendant necklace pictured here.) Have a retail store? Log into our wholesale website to see all of the fused glass jewelry possibilities. We'll surely help your fashionista clients with yellow accents.




So you're style is a bit more Boho versus Classic? Dunitz & Company has you covered. We've been working with artisans in Guatemala that create the most spectacular beadwork since the early 1990s. And twice a year we create new color combinations that mesh with the clothing you'll find on store racks. We definitely did not miss out on 'yellow' for Spring 2019. A new seed bead combination we're crazy for combines golden-yellow with a softer celery green.  We think you'll love it.  It's a bit tamer than our Joanie M fused glass yellow.  Necklaces, Bracelets, Earrings. Dunitz & Company's fair trade jewelry will spice up your warmer weather ensembles.


Glamour, Marie Claire and Pantone have declared "Yellow" as one of the biggest color trends for the upcoming season. Don't miss out on the fun. Dunitz & Company's fair trade jewelry offers so many yellow accents at affordable prices. If it's not our design, wear something from another designer. Forget about corduroys. (Note to Nancy) I say dazzle 'em with a new sunny pair of fair trade earrings! -ND

Black & White, A Fashion Classic

Yin and Yang. Up and Down. Right and Left. East and West. One never exists without the other. Black & White. A Fashion Classic. And for a jewelry designer (I'm talking about me,) who is typically 'all about color', for Dunitz & Company's Spring 2018 collection, I'm most excited about this classic.  What ever has gotten into me?

When studying all the runway shows in preparation for designing for Spring 2018, I was glued to all of the Black & White.  Was there more than usual? Or was I just honing in on it.  The best of the best, all are offering spectacular clothing in black & white.  Seen here are super outfits from Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart and Nicole Miller. And Miller always works in bright colors. What's up?

Yes, you'll see lots of color this season from Dunitz & Company. But guess what? I'm so stoked about our Black & White fair trade jewelry this season.  The photo to the right is a teaser of what's coming from our Joanie M fused glass collection.  The black is strong. And it's coupled with metallic silver. It really shouts that classic story of.... black & white. Our fused glass pieces will be deliciously handsome coupled with what so many folks call their safety net, black.

And for our bead-work, I paired jet black with crystal and silver.  It definitely feels black & white and will adorn any black...or white....or black & white clothing perfectly. By using crystal and silver, the pieces won't feel so harsh. Dunitz & Company's beaded designs will boast a contemporary essence. Hey, modern museum shop buyers! We're a must for Spring 2018. Hint. Hint.

 
As Karl Lagerfeld once said, "black and white always looks modern, whatever that word means. Whether it's a white dress with black accessories, or a white  blouse paired with this season's must-have noir trouser or graphic stripes, it's hard to mess up this timeless color combination." 

I think it's the perfect time to dress you and your customers up with our black & white fair trade pretties. Black & White. A Fashion Classic. - ND

More About Pantone's Ultra-Violet

There are so many influencers of fashion design and the colors used in fashion. I've always thought the most well known "international" designers (think Calvin Klein, DKNY, Stella McCartney etc.) cast the greatest directions. I've been told these designers are working two years ahead in many cases. Dunitz & Company starts working on new fair trade collections about six months ahead of their fair trade jewelry release. And then there is Pantone making their announcements of color long after the rest of us have done our work.


I've been at the design game for a long time. Often, I dream of color combinations. Most often I am inspired by the ready-to-wear runway shows. I watch them avidly for inspiration. I also have noticed over the years that color trends gradually evolve and disappear. For instance, shades of grey have dominated for as much as three years. In recent years all shades and tints of jade seem to persist. This has allowed Dunitz & Company the opportunity to repeat successful color combinations. Shades of grey or silver with jade and seafoam ....just isn't going anywhere. And then there is PURPLE!

With our fair trade jewelry collection, I tend to always offer twelve colors. With our lower-end jewelry, our gift shop customers are more successful when they can offer their clients a potpourri of colors. For the upcoming Spring 2018, our plans were no different. New to my color range for Spring and one I'm most excited about is Black/Silver/Crystal. There seemed a plethora of black & white on the New York runways. And after I finished my colors this season, I thought something is missing. Guess what that was? Yes. Purple. To round out our fused glass and beaded collections we added some amethyst and plum. And in a few cases combined with lime or grass green.



Flash forward. December 2017 and after all of those "international designers" I mentioned earlier have launched their Spring 2018 designs, Pantone crowns ULTRA-VIOLET color of the year for 2018. Seriously? Leatrice Eiseman is viewed as the goddess of color. And clearly, everyone is scrambling. Harper's Bazaar immediately wrote that many designers including Tom Ford and Michael Kors were showing more flattering shades of amethyst for Spring 2018!

So why did Pantone choose ULTRA-VIOLET as their color? Eiseman is quoted here, "We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to Ultra Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level."  Pantone's website suggests Ultra Violet is focused on the mysteries of the cosmos,  the intrigue of what lies ahead and discoveries beyond.  Enigmatic purples have also been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality and artistic brilliance. Seriously, who is Pantone hiring to write this stuff? I'm afraid to say that purple is also the color of kings or those that think they are king.


Pantone has joined the Facebook advertising craze and is actively sponsoring posts about their 2018 color choice. And Facebook strollers are eating up the announcements. ("I better paint my walls purple now." "I bought a dark purple shirt last week. I'm way ahead." and the comments go on and on and on.)  You better believe Pantone is successful in creating trends. I'm sure many an "international designer" is masterminding how they can cut some last minute garments for retailer racks.



Bloggers and top magazines and publishers are grabbing at straws. Nylon and New York Times and every other magazine last week launched articles with found photos of perfect purple clothing and accessories for your 2018 wardrobes. I'll almost guarantee that their next printed editions will offer the same.

Even the stylists on NBC's Today Show were in on the act this morning. Both Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb were decked out in 'Ultra-Violet' clothing. I tuned in late. I have no idea if they featured a story today on this recently crowned shade.




I'd like to say that I was on the pulse in advance of the Pantone announcement. The truth is, as mentioned above, I added 'shades of purple' to our 2018 Spring collection, because it was needed to round out our offerings. Honestly, I would have never guessed "Ultra Violet" (AKA dark Purple) would be bestowed such an honor. But heck, Dunitz & Company is ready for you. Our fair trade fused glass will shine this season with our color 88 (a repeat of amethyst and violet) and our new color 117. This luscious combo marries plum with lime.

Our newest bead-work color 354 joins amethyst and violet with various shades of spring green. We think you'll love it. It's bright and perky and makes one think of new growth and flowers. One might suggest that this combination is the perfect coupling of Pantone's 2017 color "Greenery" with their 2018 queen, "Ultra-Violet".



Dare I say sometimes these projections don't equal sales or popularity. Somehow, 2016's Rose Quartz was a big bust. In the meantime, if you want to fit in, you might look to Allure magazine's suggestion. After the Pantone announcement, they offered new hair coloring as a way to blend in!


What are your thoughts on this topic? -ND