Color Tango - Tangerine Tango

<< Home Feb 5, 2012

Long ago I read story about Color Tango. It goes something like this. Tango was considered a low class dance in Argentina where it was born around the turn of the century (1900’s), until it became popular in Europe starting around 1913. When European's discovered Tango they couldn't get enough of this new cultural phenomenon. It was much bigger than just a dance. It transformed Fashion as corsets, dresses & shoes had to change to accommodate the new freer movements. It transformed social norms; prior to this men and women did not get very close in public (Pope Pius X even outlawed it). It transformed social activities including such events as Tango balls, Tango Teas and other forms of Tango parties, where Tango cakes would be served... At the same time in Europe there was a fabric manufacturer who had a large stock of fabric which had been selling very poorly, thus there was a large unwanted inventory sitting around. Some brilliant marketer got the idea to call this "unwanted color" Tango! Consequently this became the most fashionable color in Europe and not only did the unwanted inventory vanish there was a large demand for new production of this color fabric!

Last year while shopping in Montreal I found a great down coat, orange-red in color. I remembered the Color Tango story and laughed. The coat was on sale and in my size. This year I kept seeing this color around town.

Just now I received an email from a friend who specializes in Color & Light design. She knows about my Tango life. She writes:

“Hi Ilona! Just saw this video and thought you might enjoy it. Tangerine Tango is the Pantone colour of the year. If you go to Leatrice eiseman's blog eisemancolorblog.com you will see that a lighting company created a light fixture inspired by this name/colour. All the best, Sharyn”

I just found this site also, http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/category.aspx?ca=88

So not only is 2012 a special year of the Dragon in the Chinese calendar, it is also the Tangerine Tango year! Hurray!

Happy Tangerine Tango Year to all! & Happy Dancing!

Tango ILONA :)

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