Is there too much black?

While In Paris, I visited three fashion showrooms, which collectively represented 60+ brands–and every brand worked almost exclusively in black. Seeing this many brands made me question their role in the fashion industry. Is there really such a big market for the color black? I had only visited three showrooms in Paris yet how many other all-black showrooms are there? And how talented is a designer who only works in one color?

PRO-black

• The designer: working in one color ensures the collection is cohesive.
• The retailer: black is a very sellable color. 
• The consumer: wearing all-black ensures that you’re formal enough for any occasion.
• Functionally, black matches any color (even brown when done right), it hides stains, is slimming, and is classic good taste—reasons it makes a good uniform.

ANTI-black

• The designer: working in one color is too easy and requires less creative talent than working in color. Black is too safe a color choice for someone whose job is to visually excite us. I question whether 60+ similar brands can innovate enough with their products and branding to build competitive, sustainable companies that clearly communicate a value proposition to retail buyers.
• The retailer: after a few seasons of all-black there is not enough newness to excite new shoppers. Consumers will always buy black, but it's a wardrobe staple not an emotional purchase.
• The consumer: when distinguishing quality between a high and low priced black product it is likely difficult for consumers because they would struggle to visually differentiate the two items. 
• Psychology: wearing all-black may indicate an individual’s fear of expressing any sense of personal style. It is very somber to never wear color.

Conclusions

Although there will always be a demand for black, it's more of a safe wardrobe staple than emotional fashion purchase. I believe that fashion, as an extension of an individual’s personality, is masked when wearing all-black. And a designer who only works in shades of black, has yet to tap their full creative potential. So is there too much black? Maybe not! These all-black brands are limited in their market reach and will quickly reach a sales ceiling that they cannot overcome unless they introduce color.