Attire Accessories - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 80)

12 PANTONE REVEALS 2020 COLOUR OF THE YEAR Pantone has unveiled 19-4052 Classic Blue is its Colour of the Year for 2020. The timeless and elegant hue is intended to highlight the desire for a dependable and stable foundation from which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era. “We are living in a time that requires trust and faith,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable hue we can always rely on. Imbued with a deep resonance, it provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking, challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication. Laurie Pressman, vice president, says, “As society continues to recognise colour as a critical form of communication and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions, designs and brands should feel inspired to use colour to engage and connect.” In fashion, blue is genderless in outlook and seasonless in endurance, taking on a distinct appearance through application to different materials, finishes and textures. For packaging, it conveys a message of honesty, credibility and reliability that today’s consumers will respond to. Pantone has also collaborated with a number of sensory experts from the worlds of music, food, fashion, beauty and technology to envision Classic Blue as a sound, smell, taste and feeling, inspiring creatives and consumers to think about colour differently. Find out more at pantone.com CAMPAIGN LAUNCHES TO SHINE SPOTLIGHT ON INDEPENDENT BUSINESSES IN SUNDERLAND A campaign has been launched to shine a spotlight on independent shops, restaurants and businesses in Sunderland. inSunderland is an initiative supported by Sunderland BID in collaboration with Save the High Street and it aims to connect a collaborative community that will support, promote and champion the independent businesses in Sunderland. The scheme, which is also being supported by Sunderland City Council, is now calling on independent food outlets, bars, service providers, shops and businesses within the city centre to sign up to take part. They will then be encouraged – with help from the BID – to support each other through joint marketing and promotional activity. BID’s Head of Business Operations, Sharon Appleby, says, “We have a thriving community of independent businesses, which bring originality, variety and character to our high street. “But it is easy for their voices to get lost and, by bringing them all together to create one, sizable community, it will be a case of strength in numbers.” The BID hopes that by working with the businesses and providing marketing and promotional support they will not only increase footfall within the city centre but improve the overall health of the high street. They are urging the public to get behind the scheme and spread the word among friends and family and on social media. “Of course, the best way to support local businesses is to spend money with them,” said Sharon. “So I’d urge shoppers to explore the city centre, visit our independents and see for themselves just how lucky we are to have such a thriving community here in Sunderland.” SaveTheHighStreet.org is an industry movement, launched in 2016, with the aim of establishing diverse and successful high streets, now and for the long term. The inSunderland initiative hopes to have signed up at least 50 independent city centre businesses by March 2020, supporting the hashtag #insunderland. For more information visit facebook.com/InSunderland PANAMA HAT COMPANY AND MAJESA LTD MOVE TO NEW PREMISES The Panama Hat Company and Majesa Limited have moved to a newly restored hat factory at ‘Hat House’, 32 Guilford Street, Luton – the original home of hat making. The property is part of a major development of three historic hat factories in the Hat District for creative, design, tech and digital businesses. The Panama Hat Company has been manufacturing and selling high-quality elegant men’s and women’s Panamas since 2011 and trades through its parent company Majesa, which has been specialising in Panamas for 34 years. The founder Jenny Froehlich, who is from Ecuador herself, and her daughter Mavi Tzaig, use their unrivalled knowledge, experience and passion for the Panama hat industry to provide the largest range of genuine Panama hats in the UK. Mavi stated, “We have been looking forward to moving into this beautifully restored hat factory and are delighted that we can grow our business here. We make our hats by hand and this location will offer the public a chance to buy a hat and see how it is made”. Visit panamahats.co.uk