The theory of seasonal color types was created by Swiss painter Johannes Itten. He was the first to pair color characteristics with people’s physical appearance. He developed four color types and named them after the seasons: Winter, Spring, Autumn, and Summer. The painter observed that his students used color palettes similar to their own physical appearance during class. Later, Carole Jackson shaped this theory into a more practical system and wrote the book Color Me Beautiful, in which she described the taxonomy of color analysis. These were the beginnings of the color consulting system and the development of color types. Seasonal color typing became popular worldwide during the 1980s and 1990s and remains influential today.

The basis of color type classification lies in our natural physical attributes: our skin tone, natural hair color, and eye color.

You’ve surely noticed that certain colors make you look fresh and radiant, while others make you appear pale, dull, or tired. Flattering colors always draw attention to the face and eyes—they enhance you. Unflattering colors pull attention away from the face. The reason for this is simple: when we wear shades that harmonize with our natural features, the overall effect becomes balanced and pleasing. But when we wear colors that oppose our natural palette, the result becomes disharmonious.

In my consultations, I use the 12-type color system. Every woman and man can be categorized into one of the 12 color types.