It will be a colourful year, as fashion embraces pretty shades and bright hues

Colours can help dress up your outfit, whether in terms of clothes or with the jewellery you accessorised with. Photo: Kin

The year 2024 looks set to be pretty sweet. Pantone named Peach Fuzz, a soft and gentle hue, as its colour of the year.

While the choice does not necessarily dictate what trends in fashion, it does have a ripple effect. Designers will be keeping a close eye on anything the global colour institute favours.

Malaysian ready-to-wear designer Edie Chung calls it “a very comforting and positive colour” that is “not too saccharine”.

“It reminds me of James And The Giant Peach (book) by Roald Dahl. Although this colour isn’t that common in everyday products, I think everyone would find it more familiar than they think.”

As a multicultural country, Malaysia is known for its diversity. This aspect extends to fashion and colours, as well. Photo: Friesenguys

For others, it represents emotions.

“We can see how the soft peach colour resonates with the yearning for closeness and connection,” says Zaireen Iskandar, co-founder of local demi-fine jewellery brand Kin.

“We also feel it brings a sense of caring and healing, of community and calmness.”

Chung says he had coincidentally already ordered fabric in the shade before Pantone announced its selection.

From a designer’s standpoint, he believes it is tricky to colour block, as the shade is not as commonly used like the basics of yellow, blue or red.

“I think the key would be combining it with several other similar colours, or to pair it with something completely opposite.”

Zaireen remains enthusiastic. Her advice is to go minimal with jewellery if you want to pull off the Peach Fuzz look.

“We love the colour and feel rhodium or silver hues would go extremely well with it – keeping everything understated and calm.”

Read more: Vintage looks, oversized jewellery, metallic hues: Fashion inspirations for 2024

What do Malaysians like?

As a multicultural country, Malaysia is known for its diversity. This aspect extends to fashion and colours, as well.

Chung says that locally, he sees his customers going for red, green and blue.

“Culture plays an incredible part in people’s colour choices in fashion,” he notes.

He explains that it usually bears down to festivities – like how red is prominent during Chinese New Year, and green is popular when Hari Raya rolls around.

Chung’s label Friesenguys (pronounced as Free-sun-guys) recently unveiled a boldly colourful collection. It incorporates traditional textiles and patterns, pairing them with vibrant animal prints in bold neon colours.

He made a big break into the Japanese fashion market last year, earning acclaim from notable personalities such as Harajuku pop princess Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Japanese Idol group Sakurazaka46 and Yoasobi vocalist Lilas Ikuta.

Back in 2021, green became a hallmark colour that everyone can't get enough of. Photo: Bottega Veneta

Chung explains that he sees Malaysians as people who generally love versatile colours.

“Another colour I think that the people here really love is blue, in all it’s different shades, finishes and combinations,” he says.

“I can also speak from my customer’s point of view that blue is a great entry point into more daring pieces in a variety of fabrics like print, brocade and satins and the like.

“My Malaysian customers responded very well to this colour, ever since I used it more often towards the end of 2023.”

Creating that pop of colour

While colours are not as apparent in jewellery (precious metals only come in shades of yellow gold, rose gold or silver) compared to ready-to-wear, they are increasingly being used in other ways to catch attention.

“There has been a significant surge in brands adopting coloured gemstones and combining precious stones with vibrant enamel over the past few years,” Zaireen says.

Kin is embracing the generous use of colour too.

The brand’s customers can now take their pick of various shapes and colours for their jewellery.“We have introduced a spectrum of colours to our collection through high-quality bead gemstones complemented by 9-karat gold. This approach provides an extra touch of luxury with the inclusion of sapphires and emeralds,” Zaireen relates.

“By focusing on marquise, baguettes, ovals and emerald-cuts featuring multi-coloured sapphires and emeralds, we empower our customers to select their preferred colours, creating pieces that resonate with their unique tastes.”

According to Zaireen, this is important for those who love to stack their jewellery. Customers can thus play mix and match with their jewellery.

That said, precious metals do have their colours – limited as they are.

She reveals that yellow gold remains a favourite among Kin customers, followed by silver and rose gold.

This preference can vary by the region.

“Generally, yellow gold maintains higher popularity in Asia. However, in Europe, for instance, silver enjoys more favour compared to its reception in Asia,” Zaireen says.

“Overall, globally, yellow gold remains the more prevalent choice for fashion-style jewellery.”

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Bright and beautiful

Fashion runways make use of a wide breadth of colours each year. Sometimes there is a dominant shade – like hot pink in 2023, while other years see different vibrant hues capturing attention.

Trending colours can remain in favour for longer periods too.

“Bottega Veneta’s green was incredibly influential in the last few years and even though it has waned, it is still very mainstream,” Chung enthuses.

Of course, the aforementioned hot pink was such a hit on last year runways that it spawned its own trend: Barbiecore.

Fashion collections are unveiled almost half-a-year in advance, and as such, what you may see in the upcoming Spring/Summer 2024 collections simply can’t be based on Pantone’s Peach Fuzz.

Yet, there were quite a number of peach-coloured designs by designers and brands spotted at the fashion weeks in New York, London, Milan and Paris last October.

Balmain, Jil Sander, Alaia, Missoni and Prabal Gurung used the colour.

Part of the Barbiecore trend, hot pink was a big hit last year. Photo: Valentino

Similar hues also adorn accessories or singular clothing items, like Acne Studio’s bags or Miu Miu’s tights.

As for selecting a specific colour for your outfit, Chung says that it is important that you first ask yourself how comfortable are you wearing it.

He thinks having a friend or a boutique assistant give you an objective opinion is good.

“Always let your skin’s undertone guide and determine whether a particular shade will flatter you,” he advises.

“I think the most straightforward way is to stick your arm up a sleeve or put the fabric against your skin and observe whether your skin tone is more flattering. Ask yourself whether it makes you look more sallow or more radiant, this saves time before one even enters a changing room.”

He says that colours will often look different when worn by different people. As such, you need to judge on a case-by-case basis.

“I think pastel colours are safe choices. Pastels are youthful and not too striking,” Chung further adds.

They are softer with a sense of comfort, yet can allow shoppers to still be more adventurous with colours than they would otherwise be.”