Color Analysis - CD Haute Couture S/S 2009

After realizing the inpiration of Christain Dior Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2009 came from Dutch Painter - Johannes Vermeer, I did some research on his painting and the use of colors,

and I find out that there are coherence between Dior's collection and paintings of Vermeer.

First, let me showcase the collection and analyse the color scheme of CD Haute Couture S/S 09.


COMPLETE COLLECTION - Christain Dior Haute Couture S/S 09




COLOR CHART
Now I choose 7 prominent colors used in the collection.

COLOR ANALYSIS
By finding out their HUE, SATURATION and VALUE, similarities are discovered.

For the Upper Row - 3 outfits
Hues are different - Blurt Red, Golden Yellow and Cornflower blue

but they have similar value: 77-80%
while the first 2 (red silk dress and yellow dress) have same chroma :99%,
the cornflower blue dress has 50% of chroma which is 1/2 of the first 2 outfits.

For the Lower Row - 3 outfits
Hues are also different - Peach orange, Soft Pink, Light blue

but they have similar value: 81-94%
while the last 2 (light blue and pink dress) have similar chroma: 16-26%,
the peach orange dress has 70% of chroma.

Moreover, Black and white colors are used frequently in the collection
White is added to many outfits as chapeaux, collar and hemming of the underskirt.

COLOR SCHEME

Mr. Galliano used TRIADIC COLOR SCHEME in the whole collection.

As we have analysed the most colors used are Red, Yellow and Blue.

And also don't forget the ACHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME because black and white are widely used in the collection.

When we analyse the masterpiece individually,

MONOCHROMATIC COLOR SCHEME is applied to each outfit as only one hue is used or some black/white color is added.

COLOR PRINCIPLE

PRINCIPLE OF ORDER can be seen as there is an orderly plan which create harmony and coherence to the complete collection.

COLOR RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE THEME - Seventeenth-Century Dutch Vermeer

Refer to Inspiration of Couture S/S 2009 - Colors used

I have searched that this painter loved to use golden yellow and cornflower blue in most of his painting, like the painting -"Girl with a Pearl Earring", "Milkmaid (1658-1660)"

While this two colors are exactly applied on this season collection.

And when we focus on "The Girl with a Wine Glass, 1660", Blurt Red(vermilion) is used

Besides, floral prints (Tulip) are used in last few gowns as underskirt prints.

Blue-and-white Delftware embroideries are also found.

These are the elements related to Netherlands.

John Galliano combined the Dutch theme with his chiefed Couture S/S 09 collection flawlessly.