It's easy to think colour is the last decision to make. My expertise is getting it right first: reading upcoming trend, building palettes with a point-of-view, and knowing where the colour belongs in the line. At Converse I saw an opportunity to go further: I revamped the Seasonal Colour program and managed it for five years, making the colour calls that shaped our biggest volume-driving shoes.
I noticed people online dyeing their Chucks brown and being absolutely in love with the colour. I proposed 'Dark Root' for 2023, right as Quiet Luxury took off. Sold out instantly, reissued for seasons, still on shelves for peak Chocolate Brown mania in Fall 2025.
Even an always-on hue like Pink needs a strong strategy. 'Chaos Fuchsia' hit windows for opening day of Barbenheimer, 18 months of planning down to the day. 'Newfound Bloom' followed, a classic break from the brights.
Signals from fashion, interiors and wellness spaces were suddenly pointing to yellow. I swapped out a colour I was planning for 'Bananas', a soft, happy shade, and hit peak Butter Yellow love. Sensing more runway, I kept the hue space but went neutral for 2026 with 'Hay Day'.