Black is the New Black

Black is a dichotomy! The first being whether we even call it a colour or not! Truth being that it's actually the absence of colour itself. Second, its symbolism is extremely contradictory, it is synonymous to power and authority when dawned as a cloak by a judge but in the same room synonymous to humility and empathy when worn by the nun as her uniform. It's sensual and luxurious when worn by any woman as a 'little back dress' and drab and dirty when draped in poverty by a beggar. It's worn in celebrations as a mandate for a 'black tie' event and also worn as a 'dress code' while mourning. No other colour in the spectrum sends so many mixed messages that are clearly understood and accepted by all cultures.

Portrait of a Gentleman and Portrait of a Lady, Michiel J. van Mierevelt, ca. 1610-1620

Let us for a moment reflect on the history of this colour to see if it holds the answer to its ambivalent present. The colour black was first seen as cave art thousands of years ago, as it was the charcoal residue post burning fire logs that became a medium of expression. In the recent it was seen in Spain as the colour of royalty, this was because the black dye, called 'raven's wing' was extremely hard to make and procure hence very expensive and only afforded by the wealthy.

Queen Victoria in black

Chanel in Little Black Dress

From this time around the 14th-15th century is when its coalescence with luxury and power began. By the 17th century, Christianity started to proclaim the semblance of black with death and evil and that started to gain acceptance. Queen Victoria's black gown that she donned for 40 years as a widow is etched in the minds of the western world as the colour of mourning and pain. In the 19th century, there was a turning point when the designers who became the torchbearers of the fashion industry like Jeanne Paquin and Chanel made it a fashion mainstream colour of choice. They added the most powerful personality dimension to the colour by making it fashions must-have colour.

Our book 'Fashion's First Designers' speaks in detail about how these two fashion visionaries have been responsible for creating 'black' the unequivocal colour of the century.

Comment below to share your thoughts about the most iconic colour black.