'Color Me Purple'

With New York Fashion Week just about wrapping up, it looks like the Pantone Color Institute has released its list of popular men’s and women’s colors for fall.

For those that don’t know, the Pantone Color Institute is the leading authority on color and is instrumental in its use in both the fashion and home furnishings industry. Chances are that whichever color makes it on this list is likely to turn up on your next shopping trip for the next dress, accessory or bath towel.

So that you can compare and contrast between the spring-summer and the upcoming fall-winter, here’s a look at some of this season’s picks:

After the recession hit in 2008, most designers retreated to leather and studs, hard and masculine all-black looks. It might be the jumpstarting economy or the possibility that designers believe color might lure more shoppers. Whatever the reason, the color purple dominates the chart this season (and no, I’m not referring to the novel, although that’s a best-seller too) and will continue to, come fall.

Listed in value of importance is the latest Fall 2010 list:

1. Purple Orchid

2. Chocolate Truffle

- Because this shade bears a near resemblance to plum, chocolate truffle is able to combine with other shades of brown and other brighter colors as well. There are fewer limits with such a shade. According to the Pantone Institute in WWD, this color is “classic, dependable.”

3. Woodbine

4. Oyster Gray*

- With nudes having a strong presence this spring, oyster gray is a neutral worthy of exploring. It can be paired with more of the flesh tones we see this spring, and as a lighter gray, it can also break up darker color combinations in the fall.

5. Lagoon Pantone

6. Rose Dust

7. Lipstick Red

8. Golden Glow

9. Living Coral*

- Coral is a natural deviation from the orange that so many designers have favored in the past two seasons. It breathes freshness and is soft and warm. On a personal note, I already have my eyes on a silk floor-length Nicole Miller gown in this same shade, which I plan to match with my collection of elaborate costume jewelry.

10. Endive

My top picks: Chocolate Truffle; Oyster Gray; Rose Dust; Golden Glow; Living Coral

Least favorite: Woodbine, Lagoon, Endive

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of bellasignature.com and pantone.com

'SJP Does Halston'

CONFIRMED : Everyone’s favorite Sex and the City star plans to work under the creative wing at the revived Halston fashion house.

Yes, I know what you’re thinking. We all saw how Lindsay Lohan fared as a creative consultant at Emmanuel Ungaro last fall. “Debut Deemed Disastrous” was one headline at New York Magazine. “Pasties and Poor Fashions” was another at BlackBook magazine.

But Lindsay Lohan is in no way like SJP, who has capitalized on her ‘Carrie Bradshaw’ alter ego, successfully launching her own clothing and fragrance line. The latest SJP NCY fragrance arrives just in time for the release of the second Sex and the City movie.

As for Halston, the fashion label now headed by creative director and designer Marios Schwab, has been trying to regain its strength since it fell from the fashion radar after the seventies.

The iconic American designer created the pillbox hat that Jacqueline Kennedy wore to the presidential inauguration in 1961. Halston's partying ways and lack of authority eventually led to his demise (he lost control of the company and died from AIDs in 1990) But Halston was and is still noted for its exquisitely draped jersey dresses and clients like Bianca Jagger, Anjelica Huston and Elizabeth Taylor.

Reports say that SJP will be more involved that other said ‘celeb consultants’ - going as far as earning equity stake and being named president of the company. The contemporary collection takes riffs from archived Halston creations, sold at a slightly more affordable price point (pieces range between $325 to $825), according to WWD.

Not sure if SJP's relationship with the brand will have a more democratizing effect on the line's affordability. Will it be like that of Miu Miu to Prada or J+ Collection to Jil Sander? Let’s hope for the latter if the Halston Heritage is any good.

And although I am as big a fan as the Carrie Bradshaw character and the SJP who plays her, I’d like to give most of SJP's fashion credit to stylist Patricia Field – not just because Field rocks, but because she put the actors on the fashion map by styling the cast and giving Bradshaw her distinct Manolo-loving, New York City charm.

Maybe SJP wouldn't mind if Field instead took her place? Just an idea.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of harpersbazaar.com and the glamazonediaries.com