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5. Selling Colour

Episode 5 of 5

Tracey Logan discovers how colour forecasting began and how today's retailers decide which colours are in fashion. From February 2013.

The process by which designers select next season's colours is a story that goes back to the First World War.

Tracey Logan finds out why a naval blockade, cutting Paris fashion houses off from the rest of the world, created today's colour forecasting industry.

Nowadays, retailers have tight controls over the colours they choose and how they are produced.

Tracey visits Marks & Spencer to find out how digital technology ensures they manufacture exactly the same shade of green across different fabrics, from your woollen coat to leather shoes.

Producer: Michelle Martin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2013.

Available now

15 minutes

Last on

Fri 29 Nov 202409:30
BBC Radio 4 Extra

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Broadcasts

  • Fri 1 Feb 201313:45
    BBC Radio 4
  • Fri 28 Aug 201514:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 29 Aug 201502:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 2 Nov 201814:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 3 Nov 201802:15
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Fri 29 Nov 202409:30
    BBC Radio 4 Extra

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  • Colours

    A collection of programmes and clips celebrating colours