The History of ICA

Jim Lambie, 'ZOBOP'       Scottish National Gallery, of  Modern Art

In celebrating our 45th Birthday it can be said that ICA's specialised work over the years has contributed significantly to 5 colourful decades. In the mid-1960s a dramatic change in the textile industry signalled the need for revision as the large international chemical companies moved into the textile industry. Supported by massive financial strength and powerful marketing know-how, their branded man-made fibres signalled a revolution in mass-production.

At that time the situation for predicting colours was akin to the legendary Tower of Babel, there was no leadership and no co-ordination. Trade associations, yarn producers and a multitude of manufacturing companies throughout the world all issued conflicting 'colour cards' forecasting trends six to twelve months ahead of the season.

Unquestionably the time for change had arrived and, seizing the initiative, in 1966 three like-minded publishers from London, New York and Amsterdam formed a joint venture and two years later in 1968, with the launch of the first ICA edition, their vision became a reality. Over the decades ownership of the original organisation has changed several times and today ICA is a UK enterprise.  

From the start ICA’s forecasts have been created by panels of professional colourists and to this day across the world ICA is regarded as the benchmark for colour forecasting.

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* See extracts from ICA's Forecasts, above left 

Colour is not important - it's VITAL !