We use cookies to give you the best personal experience on our website. If you continue to use our site without changing your cookie settings, you agree we may place these cookies on your device. You can change your cookie settings at any time but if you do , you may lose some functionality on our website . More information can be found in our privacy policy.
Please provide more information.
Stylus no longer supports Internet Explorer 7, 8 or 9. Please upgrade to IE 11, Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge. This will ensure you have the best possible experience on the site.
stylus
trends		 consumer
lifestyle		 consumer
product		 consumer
engagement		 topics events
calendar		 blog
view all
reports
 		about
stylus		 login
stylus trends
Consumer Lifestyle
Food, Beverage & Hospitality
Fashion
Beauty
Product Design
Colour & Materials
Retail
Media & Marketing
topics
view all reports
events calendar
blog
about stylus
T&C
careers
contact us
login
Colour & Materials

Sacred Colour: Precious & Emphatic Hues

Since ancient times, hues have had significances placed upon them that relate to rituals and divine practices – the often inexplicable, emotive sensations stirred by rich colours being likened to experiencing a spiritual force.

Stylus examines selected hues and techniques derived from the Stylus Spectrum Spring/Summer 2014 report Sacred Space that have manifested themselves in today’s design landscape across architecture, fashion, textiles and fine art.

Share:
Published:
1 Nov 2012
DOWNLOAD PDF
RELATED REPORTS
Tech-Spiritual: Materials
Tech-Spiritual: Materials Tech-Spiritual: Materials As the objects we surround ourselves with become embedded with artificial intelligence, they start to take on an awareness that directs a new aesthetic. The slick surfaces that have come to define personal electronics are replaced with more meaningful materials with tactility and character. The current state of political and economic flux is also fuelling this shift in aesthetics as we seek alternatives to convention and put our trust in earthy minerals, spiritual colour and mystical materials.

We highlight influential projects under two themes: Sacred Innovation and Enchanting Tech.
Colour & Materials
Materials Focus 2018/19
01 Dec 2016
Home Ground: Colour
Home Ground: Colour Home Ground: Colour In reaction to a lack of control over political and economic decisions, a mood for self-sufficiency permeates culture and design across the globe. Natural colour is distilled and refined into rich tones that ground us in our surroundings. The benefits of rural living filter into urban environments where raw colour nourishes our senses.

This season-neutral palette honours grown dyes with vivid Red Onion, Woad Blue, Corn and Dried Primrose. Off-white neutrals, reminiscent of natural wool and unbleached cotton are layered together, while Burnt Umber and Iron Oxide provide an earthy heat.
Colour & Materials
Colour Spectrum A/W 2018-19
10 Nov 2016
YInMn Blue: A Revolutionary Pigment
YInMn Blue: A Revolutionary Pigment YInMn Blue: A Revolutionary Pigment A vivid blue pigment discovered accidentally by a research team at The University of Oregon in 2009 will become commercially available later this year.
Colour & Materials
Colour
14 Jul 2016
Explorer
Explorer Explorer A fascination with nature, the earth and extraordinary vistas has led to an exploration of physical landscapes. Drawing cues from previous rationales Panoramic and Future Landscapes, Explorer focuses on projects where geography and the elements are important sources of inspiration, with creatives fashioning fictional environments, and experimenting with alchemic colouring processes.

The palette combines warm earthy mid-tones Dark Moss, Orange Oxide and Rich Red, with intense pigments of Lapis Lazuli and Yellow Brick. Watery shades of Green Lagoon and Wasabi are complemented with soft brown Cave Stone and Mushroom. Fool's Gold introduces a luxurious green-gold sheen.
Colour & Materials
Colour Spectrum A/W 17-18
06 Nov 2015
Serenity S/S 17: Visual Update
Serenity S/S 17: Visual Update Serenity S/S 17: Visual Update Our Colour Spectrum S/S 17 rationale Serenity emulates serene spaces using contemporary techniques to capture the essence of nature and harness it in precise and restrained forms. Here, we offer inspiring visuals influenced by our luxurious and meditative palette.
Colour & Materials
Colour
05 Aug 2015
VIEW ALL Reports
Serenity
Serenity Serenity In a fast-paced urban world, design visionaries emulate serene spaces using digital and contemporary techniques to capture the essence of nature and harness it in precise, restrained forms. Meditative and immersive spaces blur the boundaries between our digital and spiritual lives to create new quiet environments that allow us time to rest and reflect.

The palette features luxurious and calming shades of Warm Light, Wind Chime, Tusk, Lilac Ash, Dark Gold, Golden Ochre and Mint Lustre.
Colour & Materials
Colour Spectrum S/S 17
05 May 2015
Precious Craft
Precious Craft Precious Craft Our perception of luxury is evolving; new ideas about what is truly valuable and precious are no longer just defined by the materials used for a product or environment. Designers and craftsmen collaborate on projects that are not only visually striking, but also appeal to our senses and enhance our surroundings and experiences – providing a more personal connection.
Colour & Materials
Materials Focus 2015-16
03 Dec 2013
Super-Light
Super-Light Super-Light Pioneering research and technical developments have produced some groundbreaking lightweight materials and intriguing applications. Designers and architects are embracing these ideas with their approaches to design. Ingenious uses of fabric are also providing light airy textures or soft ambience to deceptive façades. Stylus presents the most compelling projects.
Colour & Materials
Materials Focus 2014-15
15 Nov 2012
New Zealand Tourism Launches Halal Guide
New Zealand Tourism Launches Halal Guide New Zealand Halal Guide New Zealand Tourism and Christchurch International Airport have introduced a halal culinary guide for Muslim tourists travelling to the country. New Zealand: a Culinary Haven for Muslim Travellers offers general tourist information, as well as a list of halal, vegetarian and vegan restaurants. The guide caters to the growing number of Muslim tourists visiting New Zealand – which rose by 141% between August 2011 and 2012.
Consumer Lifestyle
Transport
17 Oct 2012
Eric Cahan: Sky Series
Eric Cahan: Sky Series Eric Cahan: Sky Series New York-based photographer Eric Cahan’s Sky Series is a collection of colourful depictions of natural polychromatic skies seen at sunrise and sunset across various parts of the world, including Mexico, Brazil and the US.
Colour & Materials
Arts & Pop Culture
25 Sep 2012
Metal Finishes and Application
Metal Finishes and Application Metal Finishes and Application Today’s contemporary design world is seeing a rise in the popularity of authentically degraded and tarnished metal finishes. The idea of embracing naturally occurring processes is a key architectural idea that is filtering through to product and design. An increased appeal in distressed metal surfaces – including copper, iron and steel – signifies an adverse shift in our perception of luxury. Stylus investigates the emerging trends in metals and the key techniques for creating metallic finishes.
Colour & Materials
Materials
19 Jul 2012
Sacred Space
Sacred Space Sacred Space A renewed interest in community and spirituality has led to an exploration of the colours, materials and aesthetics associated with religious beliefs and tribal societies. Sacred Space examines the atmosphere created by the environments, objects and fashions prevalent within spiritual organisations. Traditional craft skills such as weaving are blended with modern materials and finishing techniques, pulling old beliefs into contemporary society.

Bold pigments such as Process Red, Sunbeam, Windsor Blue and Jelly Bean green are used as cosmetics, and organic stains including Indian Yellow colour natural materials, simultaneously acting as a unifying call to arms and a signifier of reverence and respect for the spiritual world.
Colour & Materials
Colour Spectrum S/S 2014
07 Jun 2012
Gemstones: Precious Hues
Gemstones: Precious Hues Gemstones: Precious Hues Changing attitudes towards coloured gemstones are seeing the range of hues present in fine jewellery broadening to include less-heard-of stones. Stylus investigates market drivers in both the bespoke and mass-produced sectors – speaking with London-based jeweller and gemologist Patrick Wyatt and global crystal supplier Swarovski to discover the most directional colours for forthcoming seasons.
Fashion
Womenswear
17 May 2012
Spiritual Spaces: The Architecture of Happiness
Spiritual Spaces: The Architecture of Happiness Spiritual Spaces Religious or not, people are increasingly seeking an element of spirituality within the spaces in which they work, rest and play. Stylus examines a new breed of spatial design for the secular population, conceived to deliver a renewed sense of comfort and community, plus respite from a hyper-connected modern world.
Consumer Lifestyle
Consumer Attitudes
19 Apr 2012
Chinese Indigo: Dyed & Glazed Textiles
Chinese Indigo: Dyed & Glazed Textiles Chinese Indigo The use of natural dyes and traditional finishing processes are a constant source of inspiration to contemporary designers and artists. Stylus investigates the intriguing paper-like qualities of indigo-dyed textiles created in south-west China, noting the preservation of rich traditions by the international fashion industry.
Colour & Materials
Colour
28 Mar 2012
Key Themes A/W 12-13
Key Themes A/W 12-13 Themes Premiere Classe remains one of the world’s premium destinations for independent accessory design and emergent labels. Showcasing a selection of different themes and moods, Stylus highlights the most important directions of the season.
Fashion
Premiere Classe A/W 12-13
13 Mar 2012
Dripping Colour at Loft in Space
Dripping Colour at Loft in Space Dripping Colour Based in Honolulu, Hawaii, the gallery Loft in Space is hosting an exhibition of works by New York-based artist Craig Costello – more commonly known by the moniker Krink.
Colour & Materials
Arts & Pop Culture
01 Dec 2011
I'll Be Your Mirror
I'll Be Your Mirror I'll Be Your Mirror An emerging interest in cool reflective material finishes – where mirrors, polished metals and treated glass act as ever-changing surfaces – is resulting in a visual landscape where all may not be as it seems. Stylus investigates the use of these materials to create objects that manipulate their surroundings, emulating pigmented surfaces by harnessing reflected colour.
Colour & Materials
Materials
17 Nov 2011
Portuguese Apartment Channels Yellow
Portuguese Apartment Channels Yellow Yellow Portuguese Storage Portuguese architects Pedro Varela and Renata Pinho have recently renovated an apartment in their home country, installing a large yellow storage unit as a means of dividing the space and providing storage.
Colour & Materials
Interiors
18 Oct 2011
Responsive Pigments
Responsive Pigments Responsive Pigments Chromics – colours that change in reaction to their surrounding environment – are being given a new lease of life as designers adapt established chemical technologies to incorporate fresh ideas. Stylus examines this developing area, revealing that there is more to colour-changing materials than Hypercolor T-shirts and mood rings.
Colour & Materials
Applications
16 Sep 2011
Ochre
Ochre Ochre Ochre pigment is undoubtedly one of the oldest known to man, dating back to pre-historic cave drawings. Readily available in large quantities across several regions of the globe, ochre has evolved into a staple material for universal modern-day colour applications.

Stylus takes a look at the origins of the pigment, and the contemporary industrial designers, artists and craft-based makers who explore rich earthy tones derived from time-honoured processes.
Colour & Materials
Applications
07 Sep 2011
Hues and Finishes: Metals
Hues and Finishes: Metals Hues and Finishes: Metals Throughout history, polished gold and silver have been considered the most highly prized of metal finishes. However, conventional notions of luxury and opulence are being challenged by the contemporary design world. Utilitarian metals – including copper, brass, steel and aluminium – increasingly appeal to designers and architects. Stylus explores the emerging trends in metals, investigating new tastes and techniques for creating metallic finishes.
Colour & Materials
Applications
26 May 2011
Ethereal Colourscapes
Ethereal Colourscapes Ethereal Colourscapes The sensorial overload of primary colour blocking and digital media continue to capture our attention in almost every facet of modern life. Meanwhile, a quiet movement has emerged, engaging the observer with an altogether more ethereal approach to colour. Stylus investigates the artists and designers working to produce mood-changing experiences through spectacular ambient lighting effects and a palette of shimmering pastel tones.
Colour & Materials
Architecture & Spaces
11 May 2011
Vivid Landscapes
Vivid Landscapes Vivid Landscapes As the earth’s surface evolves and mutates, photographers specialising in the fields of science, geography and art are documenting the changes to the landscape, in a bid to highlight the awesome beauty of the planet.
Colour & Materials
Colour
28 Apr 2011
Gold Leaf Store, Tokyo: Return to Decadence
Gold Leaf Store, Tokyo: Return to Decadence Gold Leaf Store, Tokyo With innovative tie-ups and a unique store from a top designer, a leading Japanese gold leaf purveyor has given one of the country’s most traditional products a modern lifestyle spin that potentially signals a return to retail decadence.
Retail
Store Concepts
17 Mar 2011
Tokyo's Gold Leaf Store
Tokyo's Gold Leaf Store Tokyo's Gold Leaf Store Launched late last year, luxury store Hakuza Nihonbashi, Tokyo is gaining notoriety for both its interior design and the fact that it's dedicated such an extravagant space to a niche product category: gold leaf.
Retail
Store Concepts
16 Feb 2011
Look to the Skies: The Rooftop Revolution
Look to the Skies: The Rooftop Revolution The Rooftop Revolution The revival of interest in rooftop spaces provides important lessons in creating inspiring spatial design. They can be practical, sustainable or simply indulgent; what’s not in question is their capacity to reclaim underexploited areas of the urban landscape.
Consumer Lifestyle
Education
14 Oct 2010
About Stylus Terms & Conditions Careers Contact Us

Updated
Related
 ©  PANTONE®TPX
 COATED
 RAL
 RGB
 HEX
 NCS