Natural Color Design

Suzanne Caygill (1911-1994), creator of the Key to Color Harmony originated her theory of personal color and design in the 1940's. Ms. Caygill had thousands upon thousands of clients throughout the United States and conducted in-depth seminars, wardrobe and interior design consultations.

Ms. Caygill's Academy of Color was designed to train graduates in her transformative work. Although Suzanne objected to the phrase "personal color analysis" (preferring "personal color identification"), her work of genius spawned today's professions known as Personal Color Analysis and Image Consulting. Suzanne Caygill recognized that the design and color harmony expressed in every individual reflected the design and color harmony of one of the four seasons… Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter. She saw clearly that each peron's color and design was highly individualized. There are a myriad of "Types" within each season. In 1980 Ms. Suzanne Caygill published her book, Color: The Essence of You which summarizes her theory of personal color harmony and provides a multitude of examples of Seasonal Types.

In 1999 Michaelin introduced Suzanne Caygill's work to Cornell University, where the Suzanne Caygill archives are housed and protected in the Department of Rare Books and Manuscripts Suzanne Caygill Archives. Michaelin and her husband Dave Watts are the primary benefactors for the maintenance of the Suzanne Caygill Archives at Cornell University. Their contributions provide funds for organizing and digitizing this rich body of materials. Michaelin is working with Cornell to make these materials increasingly available to researchers, students of personal color design and the public. Donations for this effort would be greatly appreciated. Checks should be payable to: Cornell University/Suzanne Caygill Collection #6367
Please mail checks to:
Ms. Jenifer Sawyer
130 East Seneca Place
4th Floor
Ithaca, New York 14850