“We see color with everything we are. What starts as a signal passing along the optic nerve quickly develops into an emotional, social, and spiritual phenomenon that carries many layers of vivid meaning…The context within which color unfurls its rainbow of symbolism and emotion is history itself.”
– PANTONEⓇ The 20th Century in Color by Leatrice Eiseman and Keith Recker
I am an unapologetic lover of black…literally all black everything–culture, people, style, but most of all the color itself. Over time, after perpetual comments from my family alluding that the color was “…all that I ever wear,” I thought, perhaps, it was worth exploring. Why do I wear so much black? Working behind the scenes in fashion and events, it always made the most sense. Black is safe, professional, and can literally match anything, so, why not?! Like so many during the pandemic, I’ve had more time than usual to work on myself and think deeply about who I am and who I hope to become. Black has always been my safety net, a shield of protection, and a declaration of sophistication. What I would later realize is that wearing black is often a stark contrast to my colorful personality, creative authenticity, and overall energy. There are so many colors that can soothe and invigorate the boost you need to get through dark and difficult periods in life…and some colors just make you happy (Hello Yellow!).
I felt like it was time to implement a personal challenge, not to give up black entirely, but to incorporate more color into my wardrobe, and to see if it would have an effect on my overall mood and energy.
My pursuit was inspired by intuitive stylist Susanna Merrick, owner of the Brooklyn-based company, Aura Wear NYC. I listened to her story on Lacy Phillips’ EXPANDED podcast and knew instantly that I had to book a session with her. I was fascinated by her early years growing up in the church discovering her ability to see auras, actual colors, permeating from people indicating their thoughts and emotions, and then integrating her gift with styling.
My session with Susanna was informative and inspirational! She confirmed that at my “heart center (innate) energy is a mix of Green, Pink, and Magenta.” These are colors that I’ve always been drawn to, but never really incorporated them seriously into my wardrobe. Within the past few years, I’ve been more intentional than ever when it comes to anything that I purchase, especially my clothing and accessories. Now, with Susanna’s help, I’ve implemented the idea of color–what it means, along with its purpose for my needs in this season, and like the seasons, they’re constantly changing. I love a good edit both in my closet and in life. It keeps things fresh, focused, and eradicates the excess.
Here are a few fun colorful investment pieces that I’ve been drawn to lately:
