The 8th edition of the SGMA International Activewear Color Card has been produced for Spring/Summer 2006 and Fall/Winter 2006-07. This Color Card highlights 24 directional colors for 2006 and 2007, which are uniquely tailored to the global market.

The SGMA Activewear Color Card project is a collaborative partnership between SGMA International’s manufacturers/suppliers and The Color Association of the U.S. The color committee is composed of marketing directors of fiber companies, designers, and retailers.

The Color Card committee members are: Chairwoman Monika Tilley (Monika Tilley, Ltd.), Roseann Forde (Forecasting), Katherine Novakovic (Cotton Incorporated) Iris Le Bran (Invista), June Carlin (Patagonia), Sansan Chen (Liz Claiborne), and James Siewert (Celanese Acetate).

This Color Card is especially created for the global activewear market and forecasts new color directions for the next 12 months.

Light and darkened neutrals are the cornerstones for 2006. These are, however, updated and not the usual classic colors. They convey the importance of current optics as an active message.

Colors arranged in tonalities will be the newest interpretation of the ongoing emphasis on color. Shades of red will be most important, followed by the greens. Teals and cool blues are gaining importance.

Activewear colors will take their major inspiration from nature, such as wheat melon and peat. The importance of metallized and surface treated colors is growing and adding an energizing new perspective.

“Beyond marketing and branding, the correctly timed use of color is emerging as the strongest retail direction,” said Monika Tilley. “Customers now expect a continuous update to reflect their changing lifestyle mood.”