Dutch leather chemical company Stahl has forecast five groups of colours for autumn/winter 2007/2008 which include a wide selection of mute, darker tones contrasting against warm and cool pastels. They provide many opportunities for smart, casual and sporty designs and colours in leather.

The first group of colours, Effortlessly Chic, ranges from ochres and tans through blues and greys to blacks. They are new and are designed to suit women looking for a modern approach to classic styles and good taste. Tones are refined. Effects are light, shiny and opaque with touches of satin and natural surfaces.

The second group of colours, Complex Simplicity, provides an ultra modern approach with cool distinguished tones. Here clean icy colours contrast with shining and reflective opaque effects providing solid neutrals and tone-on-tone pale dyes.

Turn to the splendour of evening wear and Décor Allure provides modern cosmopolitan glamour ideal for the city lights. Colours include reds, blues, copper brown and dark green which are intense and saturated for rich deep luxury and intriguing reflections.

Colours of the Middle Ages provide the inspiration for the Primal Richness group.

Mysterious and vague, these colours are unrefined with unusual pale tones and hairy and natural nubuck shades. From greys through taupes, they include dull greens and browns to provide and air a freshness and novelty.

The final group of colours, called Synergic Perspectives, is aimed at the young. This is a new vision involving extreme originality on energetic active wear. Colours are metamorphic metals, ranging from greys through copper and gold, through green and blue to lavender and black which are ideal for streetwear.