Purple reign
When Dame Helen Mirren took to the stage at the recent Emmy awards, she not only won best actress, she nailed this season's colour - purple. Lavish, dramatic, grand and gorgeous, the symbolic colour is steeped in regal history, oozes glamour and is a celebrity favourite.
Victoria Beckham has been flaunting all shades of purple around Los Angeles and Mariah Carey wore a skin-tight lycra dress of the same colour to a VH1 bash in New York last week. The wacky singer has taken her love for the colour to another level and is reportedly on a strict mauve-coloured food diet to stop her developing wrinkles.
When Keira Knightley stepped out at the London premiere of Pride and Prejudice, her transformation into a star was complete thanks to a stunning purple silk empire-line gown by Matthew Williamson.
Purple has long been the colour of power: history has it down as Cleopatra's favourite colour. If it's good enough for her... Whether it's magenta or aubergine, violet or plum, the colour purple is the shade for autumn/winter '07. You must take care not to overdo it though. Pick one strong piece, be it a skirt, dress, top or coat, and mix it with the season's other colours such as neutral grey or black.
Black stocking or tights complement a purple dress and a purple top looks fab under a grey or black jacket. Dark shades like violet and plum look great with a tan whereas pastels such as lavender and lilac are more suited to blondes and fairer complexions. Black is still a favourite for patent leather, but look out for purple versions of shoes and purses. Also keep a watchful eye open for purples and berry colours in cable knits and on graphic print dresses.
When the top designers paraded their autumn collections down the catwalk last spring, there was an unmistakable bond with purple among the majority. Donna Karan, Emilio Pucci, Jean Paul Gaultier and Anna Sui all paid homage. Predictably, purple is now huge on the high street, with an overwhelming range of fruity fashions from which to choose.
The designers at French Connection have clearly fallen in love, and are offering a plethora of purple-hued items. Wallis, Kookai, Warehouse, Principles and Miss Selfridge are also loving the must-have colour, with a wide selection of berry knits, burgundy pussy bow blouses, sleek tailored coats, fitted dresses and accessories. For the designer look on a high-street budget, check out Designers at Debenhams. From Matthew Williamson and Julien MacDonald to Pierce Fionda, purple most definitely reigns. (Independent.ie)
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