In this lecture we will be introduced to a feast of colour: beginning with what was available in earlier times, and where it came from, looking at the research into colour and colour perception. What was the impact of the great international exhibitions where new developments were displayed? We will hear about the changes brought about by the discovery of the first synthetic dyestuffs, including David Smith of Halifax. This is a vibrant lecture that reveals the pace of change and the impact of the new colours on fashion and society.