As a fashion-savvy business, staying ahead of the curve is essential for captivating your audience and driving sales. In this article, we’ll dive into the five key colors set to dominate China’s style scene in S/S 24, drawing inspiration from the growing influence of wellness, nature, and digital culture in the country. From the energizing hue of Apricot Crush to the futuristic shade of Cyber Lime, these versatile colors offer endless opportunities to create products that resonate with your target audience. Get ready to refresh your palette and discover the must-have hues that will help you curate collections that stand out from the competition.
Table of Contents
1. Apricot Crush: Energizing and restorative
2. Nutshell: Warmth and authenticity
3. Glacial Blue: Serenity meets digital
4. Cyber Lime: Where nature and technology collide
5. Pink Diamond: A gender-inclusive statement
Apricot Crush: Energizing and restorative
Apricot Crush, a refreshing and energetic orange hue, is set to make a splash in S/S 24. This color first appeared as an annual color in the A/W 23/24 forecast and will remain significant for the China region in the upcoming season. Drawing comparisons to the traditional Chinese color of rosy clouds (赪霞), Apricot Crush evokes the beauty of nature, reminiscent of stunning sunrises and sunsets.
The mood-enhancing and restorative qualities of Apricot Crush make it an ideal choice for fashion, beauty, and home categories. Its versatility and gender-inclusive appeal will resonate with a wide range of customers, seamlessly transitioning from occasion-led pieces to resort, active, and outdoor wear. In the beauty sector, this nurturing hue can be incorporated into color cosmetics, hair products, and bath and body ranges, paired with other soothing tones like Mellow Peach and Fresh Mint to create a wellness-focused aesthetic.
Apricot Crush’s restorative attributes also make it a perfect fit for consumer tech products centered around health and wellbeing, offering a warm and comforting visual appeal. In home decor, this playful orange can add a touch of fun to decorative accessories, textiles, glassware, and bath and bedroom products, injecting a sense of positivity and optimism into living spaces.
As customers increasingly seek out colors that promote healing, rejuvenation, and a connection to nature, Apricot Crush is poised to become a key player in S/S 24 collections across various industries.
Nutshell: Warmth and authenticity
Nutshell, a rich and spicy brown shade, is set to make a significant impact in S/S 24, offering a sense of warmth and reassurance in uncertain times. As consumer attitudes in China remain cautious, colors that evoke stability and authenticity, like Nutshell, will continue to resonate strongly. This timeless hue has already gained prominence in the fashion and interior design sectors, favored by designers for its classic appearance and inherent connection to sustainability and longevity.
The enduring appeal of Nutshell makes it an ideal choice for investment pieces and long-lasting designs across various categories. In fashion, this versatile brown can be incorporated into both classic and contemporary styles, paired with seasonal brights like Apricot Crush or Fondant Pink for a modern twist. Beauty brands can embrace the perennial appeal of brown tones in glossy or matte finishes for lips and nails, as well as utilizing Nutshell for packaging and color cosmetics to create a sense of sophistication and reliability.
In the home decor sector, Nutshell will be a key color for investment pieces, connecting customers with high-quality, natural materials that stand the test of time. Its warm and inviting nature makes it an ideal choice for furniture, textiles, and decorative accessories, creating a cozy and authentic atmosphere in living spaces.
As customers seek out colors that provide a sense of comfort and stability, Nutshell is well-positioned to become a go-to hue for S/S 24 collections, offering a timeless and reliable aesthetic that resonates with cautious consumers.
Glacial Blue: Serenity meets digital
Glacial Blue, a soft and restful pastel shade, is set to make waves in the China market in S/S 24, reflecting the growing influence of wellness and digital culture. As a shift from the vibrant Galactic Cobalt of previous seasons, this soothing hue aligns with the increasing focus on holistic wellbeing and the desire for calming, nature-inspired colors. Glacial Blue’s prominence in digital design and virtual idols, such as the serene environments portrayed by AYAYI, further solidifies its relevance in the current landscape.
The versatility of Glacial Blue makes it a perfect choice for fashion categories across all genders and ages. Its calming and relaxed feel lends itself particularly well to casual, lounge, and activewear, as well as offering a fresh and directional option for footwear and accessories. In the beauty sector, this ethereal pastel can be utilized for hair colors, cosmetics, and body highlighters, creating a sense of tranquility and inner peace.
In interior design, Glacial Blue can create a futuristic and forward-thinking atmosphere when applied to wall paints and home decor items. Its digital quality also makes it an ideal choice for consumer tech products, such as smartphones, wearables, and smart fitness devices, appealing to customers who seek a balance between technology and wellbeing.
As the demand for colors that promote relaxation and digital innovation continues to grow, Glacial Blue is well-positioned to become a key player in S/S 24 collections, offering a serene and future-focused aesthetic that resonates with the evolving priorities of Chinese consumers.
Cyber Lime: Where nature and technology collide
Cyber Lime, a punchy and near-neon green, is set to make a bold statement in the China market in S/S 24, representing the powerful fusion of nature and technology. This vibrant hue, reminiscent of the traditional Chinese color known as Nice Green (青粲), signifies the onset of summer and is associated with the high-quality Bi Japonica rice (碧粳), linking it to food, nature, and vitality. Cyber Lime’s presence in virtual worlds that blend natural and digital elements further emphasizes its relevance in the current landscape, reflecting the growing trend of multi-species thinking.
As a gender-inclusive shade, Cyber Lime has already been embraced by premium and youth-focused Chinese brands for directional apparel and accessories. Its impact is expected to filter through to all fashion categories by 2024, offering a fresh and energetic option for customers seeking to make a bold statement. In the beauty sector, this playful and ‘FUNctional’ bright can be incorporated into color cosmetics and hair products, adding a touch of whimsy and vibrancy to personal style.
Cyber Lime’s digital quality makes it an ideal choice for the metaverse, offering a striking option for virtual renders and digital campaigns. In the physical world, this lively hue can be utilized for home interiors, retail spaces, packaging, and consumer tech products, injecting a sense of energy and innovation into various environments. When combined with futuristic metallics, Cyber Lime creates a unique and eye-catching aesthetic for decorative accessories, consumer tech, and automotive design.
As customers increasingly seek out colors that blend natural and digital influences, Cyber Lime is poised to become a key player in S/S 24 collections, offering a dynamic and forward-thinking aesthetic that captures the essence of the current zeitgeist.
Pink Diamond: A gender-inclusive statement
Pink Diamond, a sweet pastel hue, is set to make a significant impact in the China market in S/S 24, transcending traditional gender norms to emerge as a universally appealing color. Once primarily associated with feminine styles, this soft pink shade is now being embraced by a new generation of Chinese men who seek to express their emotions more openly and authentically. The work of Chinese artist Wang Yuhan, who employs pink to create dreamlike and abstract displays that engage the viewer’s heart, further underscores the emotive power of this color.
The growing prominence of Pink Diamond in menswear collections, as exemplified by fashion brand Pronounce, demonstrates its gender-inclusive potential. As a color that resonates with customers seeking to express their true selves, Pink Diamond is poised to make a significant impact across fashion categories. In womenswear, menswear, and kidswear, this versatile hue can be applied to activewear, streetwear, and occasionwear, either as a standalone statement pastel or paired with grounding tones like Nutshell for a contemporary and balanced aesthetic.
In the beauty sector, Pink Diamond can be incorporated into color cosmetics and nail products, paired with other chromatic pastels to create a playful and expressive look. This cheerful hue also lends itself well to home decor, offering a soft and inviting option for bedding, plush furnishings, and decorative accessories. Pink Diamond’s youthful and modern appeal makes it an ideal choice for consumer tech products aimed at younger audiences, such as smartphones and gaming equipment, as well as for automotive design targeting a new generation of female customers.
As gender norms continue to evolve and customers seek out colors that allow for authentic self-expression, Pink Diamond is well-positioned to become a key player in S/S 24 collections, offering a fresh and inclusive aesthetic that resonates with the changing values and priorities of Chinese consumers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the five key colors for S/S 24 in China – Apricot Crush, Nutshell, Glacial Blue, Cyber Lime, and Pink Diamond – reflect the growing influence of wellness, nature, and digital culture in the country. By incorporating these versatile and emotionally resonant hues into collections across fashion, beauty, home, and tech categories, brands can effectively capture the attention of Chinese consumers seeking products that align with their evolving values and priorities. Embracing these colors will help create a strong and cohesive visual identity that stands out in a competitive market, driving sales and customer loyalty in the upcoming season and beyond.
