Insights • Inspirations • Destinations • Design

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Navy: Understudy or Star?


For too long now, navy has been the wait-in-the-wings colour; the humble understudy to fashion's perennial favourite: black. Occasionally, once every few years or so, it gets a brief moment in the spotlight, when black feels it needs a break from all the sartorial attention. But then it's relegated back to the wings again when black decides to make a comeback. Black is the New Black, and all that.

I don't understand this. Navy is as elegant and as sophisticated as black, if not more so. It's as slimming as black, and far less austere looking. It's not as harsh on complexions as black. It reflects better in front of television and photographers' cameras than black. (Karl Lagerfeld and Armani both know this: the two designers now prefer navy over black when facing the media.) And lastly, it speaks of honesty, authenticity, dignity and integrity more than black, which is why many of those in the White House wear it. Including President Obama.

I've always adored navy. So I'm thrilled to hear that – after a brief flash in the fashion world last year – it's now being heralded as the beautiful "new" look for interiors. Here, in tribute to this lovely colour, are some gorgeous, naval-gazing inspirations...



A retreat to remember: the navy-and-white interior of JK Place hotel, Capri. {Image via JK Place}


A study in sophistication: a navy library by Nate Berkus. {Image via Elle Decor}


A moment of sheer glamour: navy gown by J Mendel, Fall RTW 2007 {Image credit uncertain: please advise if you know}


Tailored perfection: navy linen and furniture from Ralph Lauren's Grand Hotel collection. {Images via Ralph Lauren}


Flirtatious and fabulous: navy frill 'Trista' trenchcoat by Kate Spade. {Image via Kate Spade}

Cheeky but still demure enough for business: Navy 'Bailey' dress by Kate Spade {Image via Kate Spade}


Librarian chic – with a sexy twist: navy-and-white dress by Lily Pulitzer. {Image via Lily Pulitzer}


Inspiring living: Sitting room/living room by Mary McDonald. {Image via Mary McDonald and Domino}



More Ralph Lauren elegance.


Navy with a slice of lemon: Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. {But can't find the credit so please advise if you know!}


6 comments:

  1. See it more in the landscape than interiors.

    Ha, you remind me I wore navy a lot in high-school. Of course I did grow up on Galveston Bay.

    No navy in the closet now. House or garden either.

    Garden & Be Well, XO Tara

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  2. Star, star, star. I love Navy... I would have it in every room if I could. I think my love of Navy all started with the birth of my first boy.... boy clothes, boy rooms, now it's everywhere in my home. Navy, navy, navy! Wonderful post! A-M xx

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  3. Have to say it is a colour I don't wear much or use in interiors but your images are beautiful. Love it with white for the nautical Ralph Lauren theme. Hope you are having a lovely Sunday. x

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  4. MOTH's absolutely favourite colour. He wants to do a Dining room in this colour before he trots off into the next world. So glad to see that navy has resumed it's rightful place in the design Universe.
    Millie xx

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  5. MOTH's absolutely favourite colour. He wants to do a Dining room in this colour before he trots off into the next world. So glad to see that navy has resumed it's rightful place in the design Universe.
    Millie xx

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  6. MOTH should Google Leo Schofield's dining room at his Georgian mansion in Tasmania. Schofield painted it in a colour called 'Bible Black' (not sure of the paint range; it's a British brand). It's the colour bibles fade to when they're old - that deep, rich, dignified navy. It's an absolutely stunning dining room. Has had lots of media because of the colour. Janelle xx

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