RADIANT ORCHID POSTER  
WHO: Emilio Pucci and Carolina Herrera helped get it started with touches in their Resort 2014 collections; while for their Spring 2014 Ready-to-Wear presentations fashion heavy-hitters like Burberry Prorsum, Chanel, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Lavin and Monique Lhuillier had runways awash in radiant orchid.

WHAT: According to Pantone, the global color authority, who named it THE color of 2014, radiant orchid is “an expressive, creative and embracing purple…a captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones” and it’s a natural for some super feminine ophthalmic styles for spring.

WEAR: (Top to bottom) The Gucci GG3677 glasses from Safilo have it all; vibrant coloring, embedded pearlized texture and a deep cat eye shape; total statement making specs. Speaking of pearlized, the Dolce&Gabbana DG3177 frames from Luxottica have a definite opalescent sheen not to mention their gorgeous orchid hue and gold accents. Hitting the bluer side of the orchid spectrum, the Lacoste L2709 from Marchon reads like a lavender crystal but definitely picks up pinker tones on some complexions. The Shade 1 ophthalmics from Face ā Face combine a super feminine cat eye shape with an ombré effect; a radiant orchid brow and temples that fade to a classic tort. The Tommy Bahama TB5028 from Altair relies heavily on the more purple aspects of the color in a very wearable modified rectangle in a smoky plum acetate.

WHY: A natural when it comes to lipstick or nail polish and a no brainer for shoes, bags and even home furnishings, a radiant orchid pair of glasses is a little bit more outside the box when it comes to one’s sartorial choices. Pantone described the color as a blend of both cool and warm undertones, radiant orchid is an appealing hue for distinctive combinations and flattering to many hair, eye and skin tones. An eye catching color that encourages expanded creativity and originality, it also enlivens the skin, making all who wear it feel more healthy and energetic; the perfect antidote to this dreary winter.

dcarroll@jobson.com