Are we in a 'color recession'?
Summary
Host Brittany Lusece explores the "color recession" with Amog Dimri and Katie Kelleher, examining why American cities, cars, and homes have shifted toward neutral grays. The guests discuss how risk aversion, economic instability, and the "quiet luxury" trend have made bold colors feel risky or tacky. They trace the history of color signaling, from Tyrian purple to mid-century cars, and note that vibrant hues now primarily exist in temporary spaces like social media and fashion. The episode concludes by suggesting that a renewed "colorist movement" could help people reclaim color as a safe f…
Topics discussed
Intro: Unpopular color opinions and the 'color recession'
Introducing guests Amog Dimri and Katie Kelleher
San Francisco's colorful history vs. modern gray cities
Why car colors faded: regulations and resale value
Rentals, flippers, and the loss of personal expression
Quiet luxury, class signaling, and the fear of risk
Farrow & Ball, texture, and how context defines class
Historical context: Tyrian purple and sumptuary laws
Sponsor break and show promotion
Cultural homogenization and the whitewashing of aesthetics
Color as risk: surveillance, control, and survival
The myth of white marble and the Met exhibit
Pantone's 2026 color and the politics of white
Color migration to social media and fast fashion
The death of color advisory and low-risk online expression
Color as a temporary, experiential trend
Dr. Color and the need for a modern colorist movement
Reclaiming childhood joy and freedom with color
Closing remarks and credits
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