You all know, how much I LOVE colour analysis and how in my Joyfully Dressed membership (find out the details here) we work together to identify your colour season and learn how to easily add more colour into your wardrobe.

As with anything I'm interested in, I thought I'd do some digging around the history of colour analysis and where it came fro.

This is the first in a new series of blogposts about its fascinating journey, and some of the surprising places it emerged from to influence fashion and our wardrobes.

One of my favourite stories about colour analysis is how it's linked to Hollywood. Before the arrival of Technicolor, movies were filmed in black and white. Actresses' wardrobes weren't a huge visual concern since everything translated to shades of grey. Then, in the 1930s, everything changed overnight.

Then, in the 1930s, everything changed overnight. Technicolor, a revolutionary new film technology, exploded onto the scene, bathing the silver screen in a breathtaking kaleidoscope of colours. Suddenly, filmmakers and audiences alike had a completely different way to view movies.

For costume designers specifically, one aspect became clear: some colours undeniably made certain stars shine brighter on screen, and the key often lay in whether they were warm or cool.

Dressing the Stars for a Colorful New Era

They noticed that actresses' complexions seemed duller on some days and more radiant on others, depending on the colours they wore. Costume designers, now wielding colour palettes like artists, crafted on-screen personas that resonated with audiences. They understood that certain colours could complement specific features and complexions, not just by changing the overall colour (like brightening an outfit), but by strategically using warm or cool tones.

Actresses with warm complexions, like the vivacious redhead Maureen O'Sullivan (think: her iconic portrayal of Jane in the "Tarzan" series), came alive in fiery reds and golden yellows. These warm colors complemented her rosy skin and fiery personality, making her a captivating presence.

On the other hand, cool beauties like Hedy Lamarr (the Austrian-born icon) captivated audiences in dramatic emerald greens and icy blues. These cool tones accentuated her pale complexion and striking features, creating an aura of sophistication and mystery.

Technicolor Triumphs: Actresses Who Owned the Color Spectrum

These are just a few examples of how Hollywood stars, with the help of skilled costume designers, leveraged the power of colour to leave a lasting impression. They didn't just use colour to make someone look "brighter," but rather to create a harmonious visual connection between the actress's features and the colours she wore. Specifically categorizing actresses into warm or cool categories depending on their features became a cornerstone of what we now know as colour analysis.

Maureen O’Sullivan with her red hair (which is unnoticeable in B&W) looking pretty in the warmer tones.

Vivian Leigh, famous for Gone with the Wind looked incredible in earthy tones like olive green, rust, and deep gold.

Lauren Bacall, who was cool toned, looking incredible in soft cool muted tones.

Jane Russel (Cool) and Marilyn Monroe (warm) dressed incredibly in their seasons, in “Gentlemen prefer Blondes” - 1953

In these few examples you can begin to see the magic that colour analysis had, even when it was just basically categorised into warm and cool.

From Technicolor Dreams to Your Everyday Style

This concept of certain colours complementing specific features and skin tones, a cornerstone of warm and cool colour analysis, found its roots in this era. While the science of color analysis has evolved (stay tuned for our next blog post!), the basic principle remains the same: some colours flatter us more than others.

These principles, once you know them, can be easily incorporated into your own wardrobe and how you dress on a daily basis. Intrigued to discover your own colour season and how this can transform the way you dressed. My Joyfully Dressed membership program can help, click here for more details.