Lilac, one of the glossy colors in Eittem’s inaugural collection, captures the ephemeral splendor of spring. Each color in the collection connects to the shape’s nature-inspired forms. Selected to complement Bird, Eittem’s delicate purple is fauna’s ode to flora. Indeed, there is a bird called the lilac-breasted roller, named after the flower for its vibrant, lilac-feathered chest. This synergy of symbols, however, is pure coincidence. This color was chosen because like a bird, lilac is known for lightness, an elegant airiness.
Lilac in Blossom
As spring nudges New York City awake, the hues of returning warmth inspire a renewed appreciation for the palette of the natural world. City blocks that were blanketed in grey all winter are suddenly punctuated with bursts of green, trees shaking away their seasonal slumber. Sidewalk flower beds, long dormant in the cold, are revitalized by budding floral bulbs. People rush to the city’s parks and botanical gardens on the weekends. Everywhere, people revel in the fleeting beauty of the season.
Despite the familiarity with their annual efflorescence, lilacs aren’t native to North America. Blooming lilacs have long been a symbol of spring’s certain arrival, far beyond the East Cross, across cultures. There are more than 20 species of lilacs: two from Europe and the rest from Asia.¹ Eittem’s lilac is a new iteration and interpretation of the classic floral, a universal yet rarefied distillation of the hue.
Lilacs can be pale or rich in color, but Bird in Lilac veers towards a sophisticated paleness. Gently floating, Lilac harmonizes with colors both dark and light. Its springlike optimism soars, exuding a sense of calm through all seasons.
