It was Kate’s colourful Instagram account that caught my eye with her ethos to spread joy helping people build their colour confidence through her positively colourful clothing. The perfect Colour Couch guest. So it’s over to Kate to share her love of colour and how there was a time in her life that colour scared her.

What is your earliest colour memory?

My earliest colour memory was when my Grandad complimented me wearing blue, he said that it really suited me! I think that was my first unknowing insight that colour can make you look and feel a certain way, it’s one colour I love to wear when feeling a little down.

What does colour mean to you?

Colour for me means confidence, it means a way of expressing myself in a way that I never knew I could. It means a way of making myself feel more me if that makes sense. I always used to wear black but now I have allowed myself to wear colour and fill my home with colour. I often wonder why I didn’t do it sooner.

Do you have a favourite colour or a colour that you find yourself constantly drawn to? And why?

My favourite colour definitely changes. When I push myself to wear a different colour it can so easily become my new favourite. At the moment though emerald green is my go to, I love the brightness of it, and the confidence it gives me. I also find green allows me to concentrate, so I wear it a lot when I need to focus and get things done!

Do you have a colour that you least like? And why?

Red, I’ve tried many times to wear it over the years, but I don’t feel me – I often feel anxious around red so maybe it’s that feeling that makes me not like it, plus my football teams rivals Arsenal wear red maybe it’s that association I don’t like either.

What do you love most about working with colour?

I’m definitely in my happy place when surrounded by colour, from a very young age I’ve felt that I’ve had a real connection to colour. I think now I’ve connected colour with emotions, I love it even more it has a real sense of meaning for me and the fact I can use that to encourage people to boost their moods, self esteem and confidence, brings me so much JOY!

What do you think your life would be like without colour? 

I think my life would be less creative, I’d feel less confident and wouldn’t be on the colourful path I’m on right now. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what life would be like but I definitely wouldn’t be me.

Were you ever afraid or wary of colour? And what did you do to overcome this?

After having children my body never went back to how it was and baggy non fitting dark clothes were my go to – colour scared me, it made me stand out and I didn’t want that. I overcame it by taking a leap, one purchase (my pink jumper) made me overcome a fear I had been totally over thinking, starting small and working my way into wearing colour changed my life. Now I have a home that is super colourful, a wardrobe of colour, and an office that is floor to ceiling colour.

What’s your favourite colour story?

Me and the Pink Jumper – this I suppose is what initially kicked off my colour journey, from setting aside the daily black and grey way of dressing to finding comfort and confidence in colour. I saw this bubble gum pink knitted oversized jumper in a shop window and must have driven past it every day to work for about 3 weeks wondering whether I should get it, and then quickly talking myself out of it. On week 4 I took the leap and went in and bought it, as soon as I put it on I have never looked back, that was 2 years ago, and I still have it and wear it when I need a boost, it brings me so much joy, and energy and my kids love me wearing it, they call me fun mum!

Do you have a favourite colour place that you visit (or have visited)?

I’m a very outdoorsy kind of person and find myself content when surrounded by earthy tones, autumn for me is my favourite time of the year even though it’s cold the colours that come out in autumn are all so warm and cosy and there is nothing more enjoyable than taking a walk through a wooded trail (anywhere) with a canopy of changing coloured trees above your head and crunchy leaves underfoot, it’s utter autumnal joy for me!

If you could pick any colour and give it a name, what would that be?

I would choose green (leafy coloured), and call it ‘A sense of freedom’

For anyone afraid of colour what would your number 1 piece of advice be?

Start small, and grow – I think this lends itself to wearing colour as much as decorating with colour, start with a small piece, embrace it, love it and build on it. Deep down I think everyone has this love of colour, you just need to find the key and open the lock to let it in!

Which colourful person do you most admire and would love me to interview for the On the Colour Couch series?

Baddie Winkle, she’s an American lady in her 90s and is one of the most colourful humans – she gives me hope that I’ll be dressing for myself in all the colours when I’m her age and owning self confidence like no other! She is a true inspiration.

How amazing that Kate took that leap and bought that pink jumper. That one act of courage had regaining her colour confidence! And I just love that her kids call her ‘fun mum’ whenever she wears it!

If you would like to discover more about Kate, head over to her Instagram @theyaymakers.

Wishing you a colourful day,
Karenx