Grace Bellinghausen – The Times
House of Colour, a UK-based colour analysis brand with franchises across the US, celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony in historic downtown Papillion on August 16. The company helps customers find their ideal colour palette, boosting their confidence and easing the process of getting dressed.
House of Colour uses a colour wheel system to identify cool, warm, light and neutral shades, providing its customers with guidelines to help them make more informed fashion and beauty decisions.
GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIME
Color analysis was popularized in 1980 by the best-selling book Color Me Beautiful, which introduced the idea of personalized color palettes based on warm or cool skin undertones and seasonal color analysis. The concept boomed in the 1980s, then faded for a while, but has recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to TikTok.
“When I first started doing color analysis, I really had to explain it to people,” said Ashley Dworak, owner of a Papillion franchise. “Today, especially the younger generations already know.”
For Dworak, color analysis is more than just a business; it’s a way to make life easier for herself and her clients.
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“We have to get dressed every morning,” she said. “Why don’t we just make that decision and do something that makes us feel good?”
The process includes a consultation where a color consultant assesses your skin tone, hair and eye color. Using colored cloths, the consultant identifies the shades that best complement your natural features. You’ll then be placed into a seasonal color palette – winter, summer, fall or spring – and given a personalized color swatch guide to help you choose your wardrobe, makeup and even accessories and shoes.
“Everyone who has an appointment goes home with a booklet of their season and a fan of fabric samples of their colors,” said Katie Braga, stylist at House of Color. “We also discuss how to use this information when shopping.”
The grand opening event with the Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce also served as a clothing swap, where visitors could exchange clothes that did not match their color palette for ones that complemented their look.
GRACE BELLINGHAUSEN, THE TIME
At the opening ceremony, a colorful display of clothing racks showcased different color palettes. Customers can bring clothes that don’t fit their color palette to a swap event and place them on designated racks for others that do fit that palette. This system helps customers refine their wardrobe and promotes sustainability by reducing fabric waste.
Appointments at House of Colour typically last between two and three hours. Four colour experts are available for consultations. To schedule an appointment, visit hocpapillion.com. House of Colour is located at 138 N. Washington St. in Papillion.
