Conclusion

After analyzing the color scheme of all seasons of Marc by Marc Jacobs collections form Spring 2001 to Fall 2009, we find out some color theories and principles that Marc Jacobs might apply on the brand.

1. Achromatic Color/ Neutral Colors


Achromatic are black grey and white; and Neutrals are one of the easiest groups of colours, or non-colours to work with. They don't appear on the colour wheel and include Black, Grey, White and sometimes Brown and Beige. They all go together and can be layered and mixed and matched. No neutral colour will try to dominate over another.

2. Primary Color



3. Analogous Color in Red + Violet + Blue
These three colors together with black and white always appear in Marc by Marc collections, though the value, intensity and saturation are varied.


4. Split Complimentary Color in Red + Violet + Blue Yellow



5. Balance of Color

6. Harmony of Color --
Convenient for futher development in collections


7. Flicker -- Red and Blue





The red and blue combination often appears in Marc by Mar Jacobs collections.
Red and blue are colors that flicker when seen together. If both colours have the same value and saturation, they seem to flash when seen together. Flicker is an attention-getting color device that is often used in advertising, packaging, or signage, but it is very irritating and unsuitable in textile, fashion, or interior design unless a particularly irritating effect is desired.

8. Widely use of Accent Color


An accent color is a color used in quite small quantities to lift or to add punch to a colour scheme.
An accent colour should be in a complementary colour. It works best if it's a bright, vibrant colour. Marc by Marc Jacobs is a more commercial brand, and its customers might scare of strong color outfits, and accent colours are perfect for them -- simply add a splash of an accent colour on the zipper, trimmings or on the accessories.


We also discovered some interesting rules of using colors in Marc by Marc Jacobs:

1. A color scheme usually comes back and is reused in Marc by Marc Jacobs every four to five years. That is the spring 2007 color scheme is very similar to that of Spring 2002; and spring 2008 is similar to Spring 2003.

Spring 2007 Spring 2002


2. Each Season you with find a hint of what colors are coming next. There are about fifty to sixty outfits presented in each fashion show, and usually after thirty outfits, there is a significant change in hue, tone, saturation etc. of the outfits compare to the former thirty. Then, in the next season you might find the continuous usage of color scheme at the beginning of the fashion show.

Spring 2002 Fall 2006


So, we cannot find out what’s in Marc Jacobs’ mind, but we might predict the color scheme of the next Marc by Marc Jacobs’ collection, with some seemingly reliable evidence from the past seasons:

Step 1: Achromatic is a must.
Step 2: Red and blue too!
Step 3: Trace back the color scheme at four years ago( Remember the cycle of color scheme, huh? ).
Step 4: Check out the lower part of last season’s fashion show to seek implication of the coming collection’s color scheme.
Step 5: Organize the results from the above steps and fit into a color theory in design application, add a few accent colors as you like.

Eureka! Now, just wait and see if the steps really works.