Specialty chemical company Clariant hosted the ModEurop workshop on colors for Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 at its premises in Leinfelden/Germany on May 2 and 3, 2011. While the influential color authority had analysed the basic themes in advance, the workshop provided the opportunity for its members to decide - on the overall color palette for the season still some eighteen months away.
“After the severe turbulence of recent times, our sensitivity for the lasting, the timeless and the sustainable has increased,” states ModEurop. “We are seeing things from a new angle. Much has suddenly become clearer, the differences more distinctive, the extremes greater. We are no longer willing to compromise: it's black or white, hot or cold, light or dark, North or South.” The list of contrasts is providing the impetus and inspiration for the new color palette of Autumn/Winter 2012/2013.
The workshop was open to all members of ModEurop and was attended by a broad spectrum, from tanners, designers and shoe manufacturers to retailers working in the shoe, bag and leather industries.
The occasion also presented an opportunity for members of the ModEurop Color Club to review the forecasts for the Spring/Summer 2012 seasons, released to the leather, accessory and footwear sectors of fashion industry six months ago, and how they had been received by the wider apparel industry. The presentation was led by the international fashion trend consultant Ms Marga Indra-Heide.
“As a global supplier to the shoe, automotive, furniture and garment sectors, we need to be closely involved in the development of the seasonal color story for our customers worldwide; we were delighted to host this event.” said Ralph Schneider, Head of PM Finishing, Clariant Business Unit Leather Services.
As one of the leading companies supplying chemicals including pigments and dyestuffs to the leather industry worldwide, Clariant has been working closely for many years with both ModEurop and the Fashion Pool at DSI (Das Schuhinstitut GmbH) that are involved in the selection of the colors and textures for the leather industry. Based in Germany, ModEurop traces its history back to the 1950s when the first steps were taken towards coordinating fashion colors in the leather industry across Europe; today its authority and expertise is recognised globally.
Clariant will be issuing its own detailed presentation of the forecast, texture and trend story for Autumn/Winter 2012/2013 to customers worldwide in the coming weeks, along with actual leather samples.