Radiant Red from Head to Toe Puts on a Fabulous Show

By Lisa M. Miree-Luke, Head of Axalta Corporate Affairs-North America

Ladies, when you wake up in the morning and put on a red dress does your walk change to a sashay?  Gentlemen, correction…single gentlemen--when she, whoever she is, walks into a room in a red dress is she the one you immediately notice?  When you want to make a statement, do you go for the red power tie?  Would a bride ever put her bridesmaids in red dresses when it’s her day?  Silence.

We can change our clothing at a drop of a whim, but what if you were born with this bold, vibrant color on your crown and glory that only a bottle of dye could offer you a break from standing out?  Would you?  Could you or should you simply roll with it like Lucille Ball, Julianne Moore, Rita Hayworth, Prince Harry and “Pretty Woman” Julia Roberts?  Afterall, there are so many things that are radiant red like the beautiful Chevrolet RS Camaro with ground effects that I had my first, second and third car accidents in.  Sure, it was brand new off the lot, but at 16-years old my powers of persuasion had already peeked and my mother couldn’t say “no” to my pressing need to drive her new red car.  Oh yes, I was a frequent body shop customer in my teen days.  I totally helped build the industry I work in now.  And not to mention, Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year 2015 is “Radiant Red”.  So if this vivid color looks so great on the road, why wouldn’t it look great on someone’s head?  Professional writer Kimberley Lovato, the author of a recent American Way essay titled “Pretty Red on the Emerald Isle,” wasn’t always so sure.

Kimberley Lovato, Author

Chants of Pippi Longstocking, Carrot Top and Ginger rang in her head, as she shared with me how she was teased growing up redhead in Los Angeles.  Sidebar, really, LA?!  You needed one more blonde?  So what’s a redhead girl like Kimberley to do, but go to Ireland for some affirmation, appreciation and confirmation.

Kimberley wrote in her essay: “Redheads are found in more concentration on the British Isles than anywhere else in the world, and I had read before my arrival that an estimated 10 percent of the population of Ireland has red hair.  At social events back home, my red hair made me feel like a zebra at the horse farm, but in Ireland I could always count on three or more members of my homogeneous herd roaming about.”

Even more uplifting, Kimberley fondly reminisces about her beloved grandfather calling her “Pretty Red.” As the sole redhead in her non-Irish family, and what seemed like in all of LA, his wisdom encouraged her.  “You’ll spend your school years trying to fit in, and the rest of your life trying to stand out.  Consider your hair a head start,” he would always tell her.

Kimberley has since embraced the color red.  She bought a red bikini, wears red dresses, and shows off her red hair every chance she gets.  Atta’ girl, “Pretty Red.”

To learn more about Kimberley Lovato visit kimberleylovato.com

Lisa Miree-Luke with No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS painted in Radiant Red.

Red Heats Up EyesOn Design

Red always seems to catch the eyes of car enthusiasts.  The color red can be luxurious sporty, simple or complex.  It can be a paradox.  But one thing’s for sure…it is always vibrant and radiant.  There were countless examples of various shades of red at the June EyesOn Design car show located at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House located in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan to benefit the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology. 

Solid reds have been popular throughout time, especially on trucks.  (pictured above: 1952 Chevy)

Color popularity can be cyclical and we are often reminded that what was once old is new again.  Some of the iconic reds throughout automotive history were on display at this prestigious car show. 

(pictured above: 1967 Chrysler)

The vehicles looked spectacular in their lively shades.

At Axalta, we use new technologies to expand the gamut of color, but we are always respectful of the heritage of color coatings.  The capability to offer more chromatic and sparkling reds makes Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year 2015, “Radiant Red” stand out.  Future colors will continue to surprise and delight us on new vehicle shapes and sizes.

(pictured above and below: 1955 Buick)

Axalta is proud to sponsor such a premier event that focuses on the detail and importance of automotive design and helps benefit and support to those who are visually impaired.  For more information on future events please go to eyesondesign.org.

(pictured above: 1961 Daimler)

Many vehicles highlight red interiors. (pictured above: 1967 Austin Healey)

Red is radiant inside and outside vehicles. (pictured above: 1955 Buick)

by Nancy Lockhart – Axalta Color Marketing Manager

Are You Ready to Fall in Love with Red Again?

The color red is ubiquitous throughout cultures around the world. Red is a color that can convey a range of emotions – no two are exactly the same and none of them are boring. Now, it seems car buyers in North America are falling in love with red again.

In fact, data compiled in Axalta’s 2014 Global Automotive Color Popularity Report shows a larger percentage of red vehicles on the road in North America than in any other region.

Traditionally, our love for red in North America has focused on the bright and rich shades. At Axalta, we strive to deliver vibrant, dynamic versions for all types of vehicles that may differ in size, usage and shape.

The latest color trends and technologies – including the popularity of red – are exhibited on Axalta’s trend forecast display, “Color Matrix.” Today’s trends indicate that light and bright reds are perfect for small and sport vehicles, while dark versions with depth and hue variance, are targeted for large vehicles and SUVs. To help gain an understanding of how the shade will appear on a vehicle, we paint colors on irregular shapes to demonstrate how they will look on both curved and straight surfaces in differing light conditions. For those who need to see immediate results, we digitally render color concepts on specific vehicles in our color design centers, including our newest center located just outside of Detroit in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Of course, new technology plays an important role in the change-over of new colors.  One of Axalta’s newest innovations -- our line of Vermeera™ color technology -- offers deep, rich reds as well as blacks that you can get lost in. So, while North America is leading the wave of reds, expansion of Axalta’s chroma in reds is timely, as markets in every region are seeing an increased interest in red.

Check back here at the Color Block for more on how we are expanding color choices for Light Vehicle OEMs here and around the globe. Just like red, I bet you will fall in love.

by Nancy Lockhart – Axalta Color Marketing Manager

Some like it Red Hot

By: Dan Benton, Axalta Color Marketing Director

Axalta Coating Systems has been tracking vehicle color trends for more than 60 years, as evidenced by our annual Global Automotive Color Popularity Report.  Historically, red has been a favorite automotive color in the sports car segment, and has increased in popularity in other segments.  Red stands out – and for this reason, many companies use red as part of their corporate brand identities.  What better way to advertise your brand than to feature eye-catching reds on trucks that are transporting your goods across North America?

Recent innovations in pigment and effect technology have enhanced the ability to create unique, eye-catching reds.  High energy pigment grinds, and dispersion technology allow for more saturated (high chroma) reds.  When combined with new effect pigments (synthetic micas and glass flake), these new reds sparkle and shimmer like never before.

Axalta’s Automotive Color of the Year, Radiant Red, featured on the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS driven by Jeff Gordon, is a good example of the new capability.  When exposed to sunlight, this deep saturated red is even more dynamic – exploding with sparkle effects.

Consumers tend to use colors to express their personalities.  Red is often associated with speed, energy, and confidence.  This is why red seems to be a staple color on sports cars. However, reds are not just for sports cars anymore. The deep rich versions are trending in the heavy duty truck market as well.

Peterbilt Truck Model 579 Shines in Axalta’s Imron® Elite Legendary Red color.

Heavy Duty Trucks that pull the 18 wheel semis along highways and by-ways are powerful vehicles that command attention.  Reds accentuate the pioneer spirit of blazing a trail across the open road.  From sunlit beautiful driving days, to the difficulties of winter weather (especially in the Northeast this year) – brilliant red trucks are leading the way.

Independent owner operators of the big trucks are ordering more reds than ever before.  Axalta’s Viper Red is the most popular red ordered in the commercial fleet segment. Proud independent professionals who move products along the open roads, and urban landscape stand out in red.  For many, these heavy duty trucks are a home away from home, and there is a great deal of pride in maintaining eye-catching, attractive rigs that are seen by thousands of people every day.

Axalta is the number one supplier of coatings to class 8 truck manufacturers in North America.  We work closely with designers to create color offerings that keep our customers on the leading edge.  At last month’s Mid America Trucking show in Louisville, Kentucky, Axalta revealed the “Wall of Red”- 30 new reds designed specifically for the Heavy Duty Truck market.  Peterbilt featured its new Legendary line of colors at the Mid America Trucking Show as well.  The line was developed with Axalta’s Imron® Elite coatings.  Peterbilt’s signature color is Legendary Red.  It’s a high chroma color, lush and rich color that fits Peterbilt’s corporate color identity, and brings out the distinctive styling features of Peterbilt trucks.

We see red, and other high chroma colors continuing to increase in popularity.  Consumer demand and continued technology enhancements will help facilitate growth across segments.  Red is hot, and as the weather warms from spring to summer – it is only fitting that we should see more reds blazing trails across North America, because some like it red hot.

Demand for Radiant Red Gemstones Heats Up in 2015

By: Peyton Kelley, Senior Manager of Product Development, Jewelry at QVC

Gemstones that are red or shades of red are one the hottest gemstones of 2015. Rubies, rubellites (fine red tourmalines), pink sapphires, and rhodolite garnets are on fire not only in America, but around the world. Rubies are making a big comeback this year. Not available in the U.S. for many years, new mines are now producing the true radiant red gemstones that many of us associate with fine rubies. Our buyers at QVC travel the globe and partner with direct mine sources in search of these fine jewels, each with a remarkable radiance and unique story.

The world’s demand for gems with shades of red has caused many of these gemstones to be classified as exotics. This passion for red gemstones has also led to another hot trend in the jewelry industry which is the use of rose gold. Many of these radiant red gemstones are now set in rose colored gold which highlights their deep rich tones. Rose gold plating on silver is also being used by many of the top jewelry designers today. Just as in karat gold jewelry, gems such as rhodochrosite, rhodolite, and pink opal are now being set in silver with rose gold plating offering consumers a more affordable option.

Many of today’s top jewelry designers are also incorporating red and shades of red into their couture lines as well as their exclusive designs for QVC. For example, Barbara Bixby utilizes rhodolite garnets in many of her designs often combined with black sapphire pave. The recent launch of the Scott Kay collection at QVC also included several styles with garnets. Award-winning designer Judith Ripka recently launched a jewelry collection in pink sapphires while offering many of her core metal pieces in rose gold clad.

Red and shades of red continue to be important in all aspects of the jewelry business including designer, gold, sterling, and gemstones while remaining a hot commodity among today’s consumers.

To view QVC’s gemstone collection visit: http://www.qvc.com/Gemstones.content.html

About Peyton Kelley

Born and raised in Louisiana, Peyton developed an interest in gemology early on in life. He has a graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America and has since accrued more than 30 years of experience exploring nearly every facet of the jewelry industry from buying, manufacturing, and sourcing to marketing, design, and development. Peyton has been with QVC for nearly 17 years. In addition to his role as Senior Manager of Product Development for Jewelry, he is also a QVC on air guest for Affinity Diamonds, gemstones, and artisan crafted jewelry. Peyton also has a Master’s in Marketing and International Business from Tulane and a BBA in Finance from Southern Methodist University. 

To connect with Peyton check out his blog on QVC.com. 

QVC, the Q and the Q ribbon logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.

Introducing "Radiant Red" – A Fusion of Science and Design

by Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Color Marketing Manager

Welcome to Color Block!  This blog, sponsored by Axalta Coating Systems, will examine and share information on color.  Axalta created its Automotive Color of the Year campaign to further share our color expertise with our automotive original equipment manufacturer and refinish customers, custom painters, as well as consumers.

Radiant Red is Axalta’s North American Automotive Color of the Year.  It’s for the driver with confidence.  It’s for the person who doesn’t mind a little attention.  The color is made from Cromax^® Mosaic™ low VOC solvent-borne paint with Vermeera™ technology.  It has attributes of deep, rich chroma with sparkling effects that dance in the sunlight.  

Vibrant reds are quickly becoming an automotive trend.  You can also find this hue standing out in home interior accessories, cosmetics and fashion.  Jewelry and sporting goods industries often feature reds as well.  Oh, yes, the color makes a statement.

As the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) kicks off this month in the Motor City, we are reminded of colors from the past and anticipate the concept vehicles of the future.  From hot candy red muscle cars to dark red pearl sedans and solid red trucks, historically, red has been one of the top five popular colors according to Axalta’s Global Automotive 2014 Color Popularity Report.

Deep rich versions of red are trending on a variety of automotive vehicles and heavy duty trucks as well.  In 2014, red’s popularity grew in North America by three percent over the prior year according to the Report. 

Throughout 2015, Color Block will embrace color trends and feature guest bloggers from a variety of industries to share how color is integrated into their work.  Like Mona Lisa to da Vinci or a supermodel to a fashion designer, we find that color is often a muse. It helps us demonstrate our personal style.

When you want to be bold and show your power, drive red! Go ahead, be noticed.