The image of a blue-black or white-gold dress, which is now trending on social media with the tag #dressgate, has broken the internet and the debate over the actual colour of the dress has only intensified.
Now, celebrities are also debating over the colour of the dress. Several explanations for the optical illusion are doing the rounds, including some calling it an elaborate hoax.
One possible explanation from a man who claims to be the creator of the #dressgate illusion is that those seeing the dress as blue and black are being tricked by their emotions.
"You will be surprised to know that the dress is actually white and gold, however there is an explanation as to why some viewers are seeing black and blue," tweeted BradTheLadLong, who claims to be the creator of the illusion.
"Scientists have proven that when there is a big event in your life that is having a negative effect on you,your sighting of colours may vary and that is why some people are seeing black and blue. It's merely all down to emotions and when the person seeing black and blue check back another day, they might see the dress in white and gold because of there mood has changed," he added.
However, another Twitter user @AndyRexford says: "What colour you see depends on the lighting and the way your retinas interpret the image."
One of the most believable explanations came from a blogger on NeoGAF, cited by Mashable; he notes that those who see blue and black "your retina's cones are more high functioning, and this results in your eyes doing subtractive mixing."
Those who see white and gold: "Our eyes don't work well in dim light so our retinas rods see white, and this makes them less light sensitive, causing additive mixing, (that of green and red), to make gold."
For the people who see both: "Our eyes are very average, and it could change because of YOUR rooms lighting or the tilt of your phone. This is the same manipulation they use for optical illusions."
The Dressgate debate is becoming more intense as celebrities are also participating in it:
#Dressgate - Twitter Reactions
Taylor Swift @taylorswift13 said
I don't understand this odd dress debate and I feel like it's a trick somehow.
I'm confused and scared.
PS it's OBVIOUSLY BLUE AND BLACK
Jaden Smith @officialjaden
I'm Seeing Blue And Black, As Of Now
Kim Kardashian West ✔ @KimKardashian
What color is that dress? I see white & gold. Kanye sees black & blue, who is color blind?
Sarah Hyland @Sarah_Hyland
Guys. I've stared at this dress for 5 minutes. Like an idiot. All I see is white and gold. And a satin bolero that shouldn't be paired w/ it
Anna Kendrick ✔ @AnnaKendrick47
If that's not White and Gold the universe is falling apart. Seriously what is happening????
Ariana Grande ✔ @ArianaGrande
if one more person asks me what color i think this damn dress is
