diff --git a/CHANGELOG b/CHANGELOG
index 245eda7..8a4952a 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG
+++ b/CHANGELOG
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+Release: next
+- Systematize colors and make them user adjustable. See documentation for details. 
+  this requires the \moderncvcolor to be issued BEFORE \moderncvstyle.
+
 version 2.3.1 (2022-02-21)
 - Fix duplicate GitLab icon (#105)
 - Revert using detokenize in social links (#97)
diff --git a/manual/moderncv_userguide.tex b/manual/moderncv_userguide.tex
index 7debcc1..68f9d96 100644
--- a/manual/moderncv_userguide.tex
+++ b/manual/moderncv_userguide.tex
@@ -459,4 +459,244 @@ Sometimes there is the need to add some lines at the end of the CV. For example,
 \end{center}
 \end{verbatim}
 
+\section{Customization}
+\label{section:customization}
+\subsection{Styles and their options}
+\label{section:customization:stylesAndOptions}
+Each style allows fine tuning through passing options to the \Code{\\moderncvstyle} command. The general syntax
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \moderncvstyle[<option1>,<option2>,...]{<style>}
+\end{lstlisting}
+for passing options follows the usual \LaTeX\ scheme.
+Each style defines their own options and not all options are available for each style. 
+Below is a list of all options available along with a short description. 
+
+\paragraph{\texttt{casual}.} This style allows the following options which \emph{only} affect footer and head style:\medskip
+
+\begingroup
+\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1}
+\begin{tabular}{r@{\hspace{2ex}}p{0.72\textwidth}}
+ {\bfseries \code{head alignment}:}  & values: \Code{left}, \Code{right} (default). This option allows to influence the alignment of the title and the picture if one is included.  \\
+ {\bfseries \texttt{name}:} & values: \Code{alternate}. Displays the name in all lowercase letters. Differentiation of the name is done by color (disabled by default). This feature is discouraged for  longer names.\\
+ {\bfseries \code{data in head}:} & values: \Code{details}, \Code{nodetails} (default). Show personal data in the header (\code{details}) or in the footer (\code{nodetails} (default)). \\
+ {\bfseries \code{symbols:}}   & values: \Code{symbols} (default), \code{nosymbols}. These options let you chose between the inclusion of icons for the personal data or text based abbreviations. 
+\end{tabular}\medskip
+\endgroup
+
+\paragraph{\texttt{classic}.} This style allows the following options which \emph{only} affect footer and head style:\medskip
+
+\begingroup
+\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1}
+\begin{tabular}{r@{\hspace{2ex}}p{0.75\textwidth}}
+ {\bfseries \code{alignment}:}  & values: \Code{left} (default), \code{right}. The option toggles the alignment of the address block and the picture.  \\
+ {\bfseries \code{data in head}:} & values: \Code{details}, \Code{nodetails} (default). Show personal data in the header (\code{details}) or in the footer (\code{nodetails} (default)). \\
+ {\bfseries \code{symbols:}}   & values: \Code{symbols} (default), \code{nosymbols}. These options let you chose between the inclusion of icons for the personal data or text based abbreviations. 
+\end{tabular}\medskip
+\endgroup
+
+\paragraph{\texttt{banking}.} This style allows the following options:\medskip
+
+\begingroup
+\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1}
+\begin{tabular}{r@{\hspace{2ex}}p{0.68\textwidth}}
+  {\bfseries \code{alignment (body)}:}  & values: \Code{left} (default), \Code{center}, \code{right}. This option allows to influence the alignment of the entries in the style.   \\
+  %
+  {\bfseries \code{rule style}:}  & values: \Code{fullrules}, \Code{shortrules}, \Code{mixedrules} (default), \code{norules}. This option allows to adjust the rules used in the style.   \\
+  {\bfseries \code{data in head}:} & values: \Code{details}, \Code{nodetails} (default). Show personal data in the header (\code{details}) or in the footer (\code{nodetails} (default)). \\
+ {\bfseries \code{symbols:}}   & values: \Code{symbols} (default), \code{nosymbols}. These options let you chose between the inclusion of icons for the personal data or text based abbreviations. 
+\end{tabular}\medskip
+\endgroup
+
+\paragraph{\texttt{oldstyle}.} This style allows the following options:\medskip
+
+\begingroup
+\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1}
+\begin{tabular}{r@{\hspace{2ex}}p{0.73\textwidth}}
+  {\bfseries \code{data in head}:} & values: \Code{details}, \Code{nodetails} (default). Show personal data in the header (\code{details}) or in the footer (\code{nodetails} (default)). \\
+ {\bfseries \code{symbols:}}   & values: \Code{symbols} (default), \code{nosymbols}. These options let you chose between the inclusion of icons for the personal data or text based abbreviations. 
+\end{tabular}\medskip
+\endgroup
+
+\paragraph{\texttt{fancy}.} This style allows the following options:\medskip
+
+\begingroup
+\renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.1}
+\begin{tabular}{r@{\hspace{2ex}}p{0.73\textwidth}}
+  {\bfseries \code{data in head}:} & values: \Code{details}, \Code{nodetails} (default). Show personal data in the header (\code{details}) or in the footer (\code{nodetails} (default)). \\
+ {\bfseries \code{symbols:}}   & values: \Code{symbols} (default), \code{nosymbols}. These options let you chose between the inclusion of icons for the personal data or text based abbreviations. 
+\end{tabular}\medskip
+\endgroup
+
+
+\paragraph{Note.} From each option category only one of the possibilities listed can be passed at a time, e.g.:  
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \moderncvstyle[left,nosymbols]{casual}
+\end{lstlisting}
+
+
+\subsection{Colors}
+The colors of each style can be readjusted. 
+\todox{explain the three basic colors}
+
+\paragraph{casual}
+\begin{lstlisting}
+ %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
+
+\end{lstlisting}
+
+
+
+\subsection{Modifying symbols and icons}
+\subsubsection{Icons}
+As we have seen in section \ref{section:customization:stylesAndOptions}, the use of icons can be 
+influenced by the \code{symbols} and \Code{nosymbols} options that can be passed to the \Code{\\moderncvstyle} command. \medskip
+
+The icons used in the display of the personal data (phone numbers, email, fax, social accounts, etc.) can be customized by redefining the internal commands representing the symbols.
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \renewcommand*{<\symbolcommand>}{{\small<\symbol>}~}
+\end{lstlisting} 
+Using \code{\\small} is optional, but by default all icons are rendered using the small 
+versions of the symbols used. \emph{The above command is what should be used if one merely whishes to 
+  replace an icon/symbol leaving the size consistent with the default icons}.
+The tilde ensures proper spacing after the symbols and is recommended as well.
+
+Currently \moderncv supports the following commands as \code{<\\symbolcommand>}:
+\begin{itemize}
+  \item \lstinline!\addresssymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\mobilephonesymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\fixedphonesymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\faxphonesymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\emailsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\homepagesymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\linkedinsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\xingsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\twittersocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\githubsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\gitlabsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\stackoverflowsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\bitbucketsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\skypesocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\orcidsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\researchgatesocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\researcheridsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\telegramsocialsymbol!
+  \item \lstinline!\googlescholarsocialsymbol!
+\end{itemize}
+The possible options for \Code{<\\symbol>} depend on the package that is used. 
+By default the \Code{marvosym} package is loaded if \Code{pdflatex} is used and the packages 
+\code{academicons} and \Code{fontawesome5} are loaded if \Code{lualatex} or \Code{xelatex} are 
+employed. The documentation including full lists of all available symbols and icons can be found 
+in the respective package documentations \medskip
+
+\begin{tabular}{l}
+  \url{https://ctan.org/pkg/marvosym}\\[1ex]
+  \url{https://ctan.org/pkg/fontawesome5}\\[1ex]
+  \url{https://ctan.org/pkg/academicons}
+\end{tabular}
+
+\paragraph{Example.}
+If one wanted to use the dingbat fonts to substitute fixed phone symbol one would load the \Code{pifont} package in the preamble, then substitute the default symbol \Code{\\fixedphonesymbol} with the dingbat symbol \ding{38}\ by:
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \renewcommand*{\fixedphonesymbol}{\ding{38}~}
+\end{lstlisting} 
+
+\subsubsection{Listing labels}
+The labels used in \Code{itemize} environments or the \Moderncv macros \code{cvlistitem} and \Code{cvlistdoubleitem} can be affected in two different ways:
+
+\begin{itemize}
+ \item By redefining the internal commands \code{\\labelitemi}, \code{\\labelitemii} as well as
+  \code{\\labelitemiii} and \code{\\labelitemiv}, e.g. 
+  \begin{lstlisting}
+  \renewcommand{\labelitemi}{-}.
+  \end{lstlisting}
+  This will affect both, the \Code{itemize} environments as well as the macros \Code{cvlistitem} and \Code{cvlistdoubleitem}.
+  \item If one only whishes to change the labels of the macros \Code{cvlistitem} and \Code{cvlistdoubleitem}, one needs to redefine the \code{\\listitemsymbol}, e.g.
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \renewcommand{\listitemsymbol}{-}.
+\end{lstlisting}
+This will leave the definitions of \Code{itemize} environments untouched.
+\end{itemize}
+
+\subsection{Tips and Tricks}
+\subsubsection{Legal disclaimer at the end of CV}
+Some countries (e.g. Italy) require to add the permission to treat the personal data contained in the CV. This can be achieved by the command \code{\\vfill}. At the end of the last entry to your 
+CV, add the following:%
+\footnote{Example provided by Cristina Sambo} %
+\begin{lstlisting}
+  \vfill
+  \begin{center} 
+  \textit{\small Ai sensi del D. Lgs. 196/2003 ...}
+  \end{center}
+\end{lstlisting}
+
+\section{Implementation details}
+\label{section:implementationDetails}
+
+\subsection{Creating your own styles}
+\todox{Add explanation on how to create styles and and how to recombine headers, footers, bodies etc.}
+
+\subsection{Required packages}
+\label{section:implementationDetails:requiredPackages}
+In addition to the packages that \Moderncv itself provides the following packages are loaded internally:
+
+\begin{itemize}
+  \item\code{etoolbox}, 
+  \item\code{ifthen}, 
+  \item\code{xcolor}, 
+  \item\code{ifxetex,ifluatex}, 
+  \item\code{fontenc}, 
+  \item\code{url}, 
+  \item\code{hyperref}, 
+  \item\code{graphicx}, 
+  \item\code{fancyhdr}, 
+  \item\code{tweaklist}, 
+  \item\code{calc}, 
+  \item\code{xparse}, 
+  \item\code{microtype}, 
+  \item\code{expl3}, 
+  \item\code{tikz}, 
+  \item\code{changepage}, 
+  \item\code{fontawesome5}, 
+  \item\code{academicons}, 
+  \item\code{tgpagella}, %
+  \item\code{ebgaramond}, %
+  \item\code{kurier}, 
+  \item\code{multirow},
+  \item\code{arydshln}. %
+\end{itemize}
+
+Note that the \Code{tweaklist} package has been altered for the development of \Moderncv and ships 
+with \moderncv.
+
+Most of the packages should be included in the \LaTeX\ distribution of your choice.
+
+\subsection{Known conflicts with other packages}
+\begin{enumerate}
+  \item The \Moderncv packages is incompatible with biber.
+\end{enumerate}
+
+\subsection{Known bugs}
+\input{known_bugs}
+
 \end{document}
diff --git a/moderncv.cls b/moderncv.cls
index 8c145b2..8a08bc8 100644
--- a/moderncv.cls
+++ b/moderncv.cls
@@ -495,6 +495,8 @@
 
 % styles
 \newcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont#1}}
+\NewDocumentCommand{\firstnamestyle}{+m}{{\namefont#1}}
+\NewDocumentCommand{\lastnamestyle}{+m}{{\namefont#1}}
 \newcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont#1}}
 \newcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont#1}}
 \newcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont#1}}
diff --git a/moderncvbodyi.sty b/moderncvbodyi.sty
index 02ac2e3..c917798 100644
--- a/moderncvbodyi.sty
+++ b/moderncvbodyi.sty
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@
 \renewcommand*{\hintfont}{}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{sectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{subsectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{hintstylecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@
   \par\addvspace{2.5ex}%
   \phantomsection{}% reset the anchor for hyperrefs
   \addcontentsline{toc}{section}{#2}%
-  \cvitem[0ex]{\strut\raggedleft\raisebox{\baseletterheight}{\color{color1}\rule{\hintscolumnwidth}{0.95ex}}}{\strut\sectionstyle{#2}}%
+  \cvitem[0ex]{\strut\raggedleft\raisebox{\baseletterheight}{\color{bodyrulecolor}\rule{\hintscolumnwidth}{0.95ex}}}{\strut\sectionstyle{#2}}%
   \par\nobreak\addvspace{1ex}\@afterheading}% to avoid a pagebreak after the heading
 
 \RenewDocumentCommand{\subsection}{sm}{%
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@
   \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@enclosure}}{}{%
     \\%
     \vfil%
-    {\color{color2}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
+    {\color{letterclosingcolor}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
     \vfil}
 
 
diff --git a/moderncvbodyiii.sty b/moderncvbodyiii.sty
index 003f9f3..82dbc96 100644
--- a/moderncvbodyiii.sty
+++ b/moderncvbodyiii.sty
@@ -61,16 +61,16 @@
 \renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{%
   \if@center\centering\else%
   \if@right\raggedleft\fi\fi%
-  \sectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}%
+  \sectionfont\textcolor{sectioncolor}{#1}%
   \if@shortrules\else%
     \par\fi}}
 \renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{%
   \if@center\centering\else%
   \if@right\raggedleft\fi\fi%
-  \subsectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}%
+  \subsectionfont\textcolor{subsectioncolor}{#1}%
   \if@shortrules\else\if@mixedrules\else%
     \par\fi\fi}}
-\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{hintstylecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -133,14 +133,14 @@
 \newcommand*{\sectionrule}{}
 \newcommand*{\subsectionrule}{}
 \if@fullrules%
-  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{color1}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
-  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{color1}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}
+  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
+  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}
 \if@shortrules%
-  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{color1}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
-  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{color1}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}}
+  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
+  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}}
 \if@mixedrules%
-  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{color1}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
-  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{color1}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}}
+  \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{\par\nobreak\vspace*{-.7\baselineskip}\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\leaders\hbox{\rule{1pt}{0.4pt}}\hfill\kern0pt}}
+  \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{\leavevmode{\color{bodyrulecolor}\xleaders\hbox to 0.35em{\scriptsize.}\hfill}}\fi% different subsectionrules will not be perfectly aligned, but remaining space at the end of the fill will be distributed evenly between leaders, so it will be barely visible}}
 \if@norules%
   \renewcommand*{\sectionrule}{}
   \renewcommand*{\subsectionrule}{}\fi
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@
   \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@enclosure}}{}{%
     \\%
     \vfil%
-    {\color{color2}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
+    {\color{letterclosingcolor}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
     \vfil}
 
 
diff --git a/moderncvbodyiv.sty b/moderncvbodyiv.sty
index 9127af1..2422940 100644
--- a/moderncvbodyiv.sty
+++ b/moderncvbodyiv.sty
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@
 \renewcommand*{\hintfont}{\bfseries}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{sectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{subsectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{hintstylecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@
   \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@enclosure}}{}{%
     \\%
     \vfil%
-    {\color{color2}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
+    {\color{letterclosingcolor}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}%
     \vfil}
 
 
diff --git a/moderncvbodyv.sty b/moderncvbodyv.sty
index 1f49692..f0bb22e 100644
--- a/moderncvbodyv.sty
+++ b/moderncvbodyv.sty
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@
 \renewcommand*{\hintfont}{\bfseries}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\sectionstyle}[1]{{\sectionfont\textcolor{sectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\subsectionstyle}[1]{{\subsectionfont\textcolor{subsectioncolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\hintstyle}[1]{{\hintfont\textcolor{hintstylecolor}{#1}}}
 
 % lengths
 %   used by \cvitem (and all children command)
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
 
 % underlying command to implement \cvitem, \subsection and \section
 \newcommand*{\@cvitem}[3][.5ex]{%
-  \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+  \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
   \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
   \if@aftersection\else%
     \vspace*{-\separatorrulewidth}\fi% HACK; I don't understand where the space is coming from, nor what it's exact value is :(
@@ -165,7 +165,7 @@
   {%
     \bibliographyhead{\refname}%
 %    \small%
-    \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+    \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
     \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
     \noindent%
     \begin{tabular}[t]{@{}p{\hintscolumnwidth}@{\hspace{\separatorcolumnwidth}}|@{\hspace{\separatorcolumnwidth}}p{\maincolumnwidth}@{}}%
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@
   \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@enclosure}}{}{%
     \\%
     \vfill%
-    {\color{color2}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}}
+    {\color{letterclosingcolor}\itshape\enclname: \@enclosure}}}
 
 
 \endinput
diff --git a/moderncvfooti.sty b/moderncvfooti.sty
index 3703658..a85da92 100644
--- a/moderncvfooti.sty
+++ b/moderncvfooti.sty
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@
     \fancyfoot[c]{%
       \parbox[b]{\footwidth}{%
         \centering%
-        \color{color2}\addressfont%
+        \color{addresscolor}\addressfont%
         \vspace{\baselineskip}% forces a white line to ensure space between main text and footer (as footer height can't be known in advance)
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\addtofoot[]{\addresssymbol\@addressstreet}%
           \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\addtofoot[~--~]{\@addresscity}}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@
     \fancyfoot[c]{%
       \parbox[b]{\footwidth}{%
         \centering%
-        \addressfont\color{color2}%
+        \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
         \vspace{\baselineskip}% forces a white line to ensure space between main text and footer (as footer height can't be known in advance)
         \vspace{-\baselineskip}% to cancel out the extra vertical space taken by the name (below) and ensure perfect alignment of letter and cv footers
         \strut{\bfseries\upshape\@firstname~\@lastname}\\% the \strut is required to ensure the line is exactly \baselineskip tall
diff --git a/moderncvheadi.sty b/moderncvheadi.sty
index 3c8e979..40f3c95 100644
--- a/moderncvheadi.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadi.sty
@@ -43,10 +43,12 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\slshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{namecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\firstnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{firstnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\lastnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -72,7 +74,7 @@
     \collectionloop{socials}{% the key holds the social type (=symbol command prefix), the item holds the link
       \protected@edef\socialsdetails{\socialsdetails\protect\makenewline\csname\collectionloopkey socialsymbol\endcsname\collectionloopitem}}%
     \savebox{\makecvheaddetailsbox}{%
-      \addressfont\color{color2}%
+      \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
       \if@left\begin{tabular}[b]{@{}r@{}}\fi%
       \if@right\begin{tabular}[b]{@{}l@{}}\fi%
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
@@ -94,7 +96,7 @@
       {%
         \if@left%
           \hspace*{\separatorcolumnwidth}\fi%
-        \color{color1}%
+        \color{pictureframecolor}%
         \setlength{\fboxrule}{\@photoframewidth}%
         \ifdim\@photoframewidth=0pt%
           \setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}\fi%
@@ -112,7 +114,7 @@
     \begin{minipage}[b]{\makecvheadnamewidth}%
       \if@left\raggedright\fi%
       \if@right\raggedleft\fi%
-      \namestyle{\@firstname\ \@lastname}%
+      \firstnamestyle{\@firstname}~\lastnamestyle{\@lastname}%
       \ifthenelse{\equal{\@title}{}}{}{\\[1.25em]\titlestyle{\@title}}%
     \end{minipage}}%
   % rendering
@@ -150,7 +152,7 @@
     % optional detailed information
     \if@details%
       \raggedleft%
-      \addressfont\textcolor{color2}{%
+      \addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{%
         {\bfseries\upshape\@firstname~\@lastname}\@firstdetailselementfalse%
         % optional detailed information
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
diff --git a/moderncvheadii.sty b/moderncvheadii.sty
index 67ff3ba..7440b07 100644
--- a/moderncvheadii.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadii.sty
@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\slshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
 
 % commands
 \@initializecommand{\makeheaddetailssymbol}{%
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@
        \setlength\fboxrule{\@photoframewidth}%
        \ifdim\@photoframewidth=0pt%
          \setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}\fi%
-       {\color{color1}\framebox{\includegraphics[width=\@photowidth]{\@photo}}}}}%
+       {\color{pictureframecolor}\framebox{\includegraphics[width=\@photowidth]{\@photo}}}}}%
   % name (pre-rendering)
   \@initializelength{\makecvheadpicturewidth}%
   \settowidth{\makecvheadpicturewidth}{\usebox{\makecvheadpicturebox}}%
@@ -121,9 +121,9 @@
       \if@right\raggedleft\fi%
       \namefont%
       \if@alternate% alternate design: first- and lastname in lowercase with no space in between (distinction is made by color difference)
-        {\color{color2!50}\MakeLowercase\@firstname}{\color{color2}\MakeLowercase\@lastname}%
+        {\color{firstnamecolor}\MakeLowercase\@firstname}{\color{lastnamecolor}\MakeLowercase\@lastname}%
       \else% default design: first- and lastname as given with a space in between
-        {\color{color2!50}\@firstname} {\color{color2}\@lastname}\fi}}%
+        {\color{firstnamecolor}\@firstname} {\color{lastnamecolor}\@lastname}\fi}}%
   % rendering
   \if@left%
     \usebox{\makecvheadnamebox}%
@@ -131,11 +131,11 @@
   \if@right%
     \usebox{\makecvheadpicturebox}%
     \usebox{\makecvheadnamebox}\fi\\[-.35em]%
-  {\color{color2!50}\rule{\textwidth}{.25ex}}%
+  {\color{headrulecolor}\rule{\textwidth}{.25ex}}%
   % optional detailed information
   \if@details{%
     \\\null%
-    \addressfont\color{color2}%
+    \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
     \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails{\addresssymbol\@addressstreet}%
       \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscity}}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
       \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscountry}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscountry}}%
diff --git a/moderncvheadiii.sty b/moderncvheadiii.sty
index eabe820..27852cf 100644
--- a/moderncvheadiii.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadiii.sty
@@ -36,10 +36,12 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\slshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2!85}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{namecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\firstnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{firstnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\lastnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
 
 % commands
 \@initializecommand{\makeheaddetailssymbol}{%
@@ -81,12 +83,12 @@
   \parbox{\makeheaddetailswidth}{%
     \centering%
     % name and title
-    \namestyle{\@firstname~\@lastname}%
+    \firstnamestyle{\@firstname}~\lastnamestyle{\@lastname}%
     \ifthenelse{\equal{\@title}{}}{}{\titlestyle{~|~\@title}}% \isundefined doesn't work on \@title, as LaTeX itself defines \@title (before it possibly gets redefined by \title) 
     % optional detailed information
     \if@details{%
       \\%
-      \addressfont\color{color2}%
+      \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
       \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails{\addresssymbol\@addressstreet}%
         \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscity}}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
         \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscountry}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscountry}}%
diff --git a/moderncvheadiv.sty b/moderncvheadiv.sty
index cfb0fd0..b609c5d 100644
--- a/moderncvheadiv.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadiv.sty
@@ -38,10 +38,12 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\itshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{namecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\firstnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{firstnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\lastnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -80,7 +82,7 @@
     \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@photo}}%
     {}%
     {%
-      \color{color1}%
+      \color{pictureframecolor}%
       \setlength\fboxrule{\@photoframewidth}%
       \ifdim\@photoframewidth=0pt%
         \setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}\fi%
@@ -91,7 +93,7 @@
     {\setlength{\makecvheadnamewidth}{\textwidth-\makecvheadpicturewidth}}%
     {}%
   \begin{minipage}[b]{\makecvheadnamewidth}%
-    \namestyle{\@firstname\ \@lastname}%
+    \firstnamestyle{\@firstname}~\lastnamestyle{\@lastname}%
     \ifthenelse{\equal{\@title}{}}{}{\\[1.25em]\titlestyle{\@title}}%
   \end{minipage}%
   % optional photo
@@ -103,7 +105,7 @@
   % optional details
   \if@details%
     \makecvheadinfo{%
-      \addressfont\color{color2}%
+      \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
       \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
         \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\makenewline\@addresscity}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
         \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscountry}{}}{}{\makenewline\@addresscountry}}%
@@ -151,7 +153,7 @@
   \if@details%
     \hspace{0pt}%
     \marginpar{%
-      \addressfont\textcolor{color2}{%
+      \addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{%
         {\bfseries\@firstname~\@lastname}\@firstdetailselementfalse%
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
           \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\makenewline\@addresscity}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
diff --git a/moderncvheadv.sty b/moderncvheadv.sty
index 3afd757..fe0238d 100644
--- a/moderncvheadv.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadv.sty
@@ -37,10 +37,12 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\slshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color0}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{namecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\firstnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{firstnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\lastnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
 
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -61,7 +63,7 @@
     \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@photo}}%
     {}%
     {%
-      \color{color1}%
+      \color{pictureframecolor}%
       \setlength{\fboxrule}{\@photoframewidth}%
       \ifdim\@photoframewidth=0pt%
         \setlength{\fboxsep}{0pt}\fi%
@@ -75,7 +77,7 @@
       % optional details
       \if@details%
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@photo}}{}{\\[0.5em]}%
-        \addressfont\color{color2}%
+        \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
           \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\makenewline\@addresscity}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
           \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscountry}{}}{}{\makenewline\@addresscountry}}%
@@ -91,23 +93,23 @@
       % name and optional title
       \newlength{\makecvheadpictureboxskip}%
       \setlength{\makecvheadpictureboxskip}{\totalheightof{\usebox{\makecvheadpicturebox}}}%
-      \namestyle{\@firstname\ \@lastname}%
+      \firstnamestyle{\@firstname}~\lastnmestyle{\@lastname}%
 	  \ifthenelse{\equal{\@title}{}}{
 	    \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@quote}}%
           {}%
-          {\\[1.25em]\begin{minipage}{\quotewidth}\quotestyle{\@quote}\end{minipage}\\[2.5em]}
+          {\\[1.25em]\begin{minipage}{\qutewidth}\quotestyle{\@quote}\end{minipage}\\[2.5em]}
 	    }{
-	    \\[1.25em]\titlestyle{\@title}\\[2.5em]%
+	    \\[1.25em]\titlestyle{\@title}\\[2.em]%
         % optional quote
-        \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@quote}}%
+        \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@quote}%
           {}%
-          {\begin{minipage}{\quotewidth}\quotestyle{\@quote}\end{minipage}\\[2.5em]}}}%
+          {\begin{minipage}{\quotewidth}\uotestyle{\@quote}\end{minipage}\\[2.5em]}}}%
   \par}% to avoid weird spacing bug at the first section if no blank line is left after \makecvhead
 
 % underlying command to implement \makecvtitle, identical to \@cvitem from moderncvbodyv
 \let\standarddoublebackslash\\%
 \newcommand*{\@makecvtitle}[3][.5ex]{%
-  \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+  \arrayrulecolor{headrulecolor}%
   \setlength\arrayrulewidth{1.2\p@}%
   \if@aftersection\else%
     \vspace*{-\arrayrulewidth}\fi% HACK; I don't understand where the space is coming from, nor what it's exact value is :(
@@ -137,7 +139,7 @@
     % optional detailed information
     \if@details%
       \raggedleft%
-      \addressfont\textcolor{color2}{%
+      \addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{%
         {\bfseries\upshape\@firstname~\@lastname}\@firstdetailselementfalse%
         % optional detailed information
         \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\makenewline\addresssymbol\@addressstreet%
diff --git a/moderncvheadvi.sty b/moderncvheadvi.sty
index abda829..b29befd 100644
--- a/moderncvheadvi.sty
+++ b/moderncvheadvi.sty
@@ -43,20 +43,22 @@
 \renewcommand*{\quotefont}{\large\slshape}
 
 % styles
-\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{color2!85}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{color2}{#1}}}
-\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{color1}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\namestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{namecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\firstnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{firstnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\lastnamestyle}[1]{{\namefont\textcolor{lastnamecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\titlestyle}[1]{{\titlefont\textcolor{titlecolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\addressstyle}[1]{{\addressfont\textcolor{addresscolor}{#1}}}
+\renewcommand*{\quotestyle}[1]{{\quotefont\textcolor{quotecolor}{#1}}}
 
 % commands
 \@initializecommand{\makehead}{%
   \setlength{\makeheaddetailswidth}{\textwidth}%
   % name and title
   \if@left\hfill\fi%
-  \namestyle{\@firstname~\@lastname}%
+  \firstnamestyle{\@firstname}~\lastnamestyle{\@lastname}%
   \ifthenelse{\equal{\@title}{}}{}{\titlestyle{~|~\@title}}\\[-.35em]% \isundefined doesn't work on \@title, as LaTeX itself defines \@title (before it possibly gets redefined by \title)
   % rule
-  {\color{color1}\rule{\textwidth}{.25ex}}}
+  {\color{bodyrulecolor}\rule{\textwidth}{.25ex}}}
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                resume head definition
@@ -107,7 +109,7 @@
   % optional detailed information
   \if@details{%
     \\\null%
-    \addressfont\color{color2}%
+    \addressfont\color{addresscolor}%
     \ifthenelse{\isundefined{\@addressstreet}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails{\addresssymbol\@addressstreet}%
       \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscity}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscity}}% if \addresstreet is defined, \addresscity and \addresscountry will always be defined but could be empty
       \ifthenelse{\equal{\@addresscountry}{}}{}{\addtomakeheaddetails[~--~]{\@addresscountry}}%
diff --git a/moderncvskillmatrix.sty b/moderncvskillmatrix.sty
index 68b8db9..803df30 100644
--- a/moderncvskillmatrix.sty
+++ b/moderncvskillmatrix.sty
@@ -252,10 +252,10 @@
 %       \cvskill{3}
     \begingroup
         \my@repeat@count=\z@
-        \@whilenum\my@repeat@count<#1\do{\tikz\filldraw[color1] (0, 0) rectangle (\cvSkill@RectangleSize, \cvSkill@RectangleSize);\advance%
+        \@whilenum\my@repeat@count<#1\do{\tikz\filldraw[skillmatrixfullcolor] (0, 0) rectangle (\cvSkill@RectangleSize, \cvSkill@RectangleSize);\advance%
         \my@repeat@count\@ne\,}%
         \my@repeat@count=\numexpr5-\z@\relax
-        \@whilenum\my@repeat@count>#1\do{\tikz\filldraw[color2!30] (0, 0) rectangle (\cvSkill@RectangleSize, \cvSkill@RectangleSize);\advance%
+        \@whilenum\my@repeat@count>#1\do{\tikz\filldraw[skillmatrixemptycolor] (0, 0) rectangle (\cvSkill@RectangleSize, \cvSkill@RectangleSize);\advance%
         \my@repeat@count\m@ne\,}%
     \endgroup
 }% end \cvskill
@@ -596,7 +596,7 @@
 \RenewDocumentCommand\cvskilllegend{s +O{.25em} +O{\skillLegend@defaultLevelOne} +O{\skillLegend@defaultLevelTwo} +O{\skillLegend@defaultLevelThree} +O{\skillLegend@defaultLevelFour} +O{\skillLegend@defaultLevelFive} +m}{%
     \IfBooleanTF#1{% if a star is given, add dashed line
         \begingroup%
-            \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+            \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
             % calculate descriptor widths
             \setlength{\cvskilllegend@leftdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-3\skilllegend@padding}%
             \setlength{\cvskilllegend@rightdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@bodylength-\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-3\skilllegend@padding}%
@@ -650,7 +650,7 @@
                 % in the stared and nonstared case
                 \setlength{\cvskilllegend@leftdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-4\skilllegend@padding}%
                 \setlength{\cvskilllegend@rightdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@bodylength-\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-4\skilllegend@padding}%
-                \arrayrulecolor{color1}
+                \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}
                 \begin{tabular}{@{}p{\skilllegend@hintscolumnwidth}
                                 @{\hspace{\separatorcolumnwidth}}p{\cvskill@width}@{\hspace{\skilllegend@padding}};{.6pt/1pt}%
                                 p{2\skilllegend@padding}%
@@ -697,7 +697,7 @@
         }{%
             \cvitem[-0.5em]{#8}{}%
         }%
-        \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+        \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
         \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
         \RenewDocumentCommand{\@starIndependentTabular}{}{%
             \begingroup%
@@ -766,7 +766,7 @@
 \RenewDocumentCommand\cvskillplainlegend{s +O{.25em} +O{\skillPlainLegend@defaultLevelOne} +O{\skillPlainLegend@defaultLevelTwo} +O{\skillPlainLegend@defaultLevelThree} +O{\skillPlainLegend@defaultLevelFour} +O{\skillPlainLegend@defaultLevelFive} +m}{%
     \IfBooleanTF#1{% if a star is given, add dashed line
         \begingroup%
-            \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+            \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
             % calculate descriptor widths
             \setlength{\cvskilllegend@leftdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-3\skilllegend@padding}%
             \setlength{\cvskilllegend@rightdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@bodylength-\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-3\skilllegend@padding}%
@@ -816,7 +816,7 @@
         }%
         \IfBooleanTF#1{% if a star is given, add dashed line
             \begingroup%
-                \arrayrulecolor{color1}
+                \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}
                 \setlength{\cvskilllegend@leftdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-6\skilllegend@padding}%
                 \setlength{\cvskilllegend@rightdescriptorwidth}{\skilllegend@bodylength-\skilllegend@leftdesriptorfactor\skilllegend@bodylength-\cvskill@width-\skillmatrix@padding-6\skilllegend@padding}%
                 \begin{tabular}{@{}p{\skilllegend@hintscolumnwidth}
@@ -863,7 +863,7 @@
         }{%
             \cvitem[-0.5em]{#8}{}%
         }%
-        \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+        \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
         \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
         \RenewDocumentCommand{\@starIndependentTabular}{}{%
             \begingroup%
@@ -924,7 +924,7 @@
 \RenewDocumentCommand\cvskillhead{O{.25em} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultOne} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultTwo} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultThree} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultFour}}{%
     \begingroup
         \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.25}
-        \arrayrulecolor{color1}
+        \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}
         \begin{tabular}{@{}p{\skillmatrix@hintscolumnwidth}@{\hspace{\separatorcolumnwidth}}%
                 p{\cvskill@width}@{\hspace{\skillmatrix@padding}}%
                 p{\cvskill@descriptorwidth}@{\hspace{\skillmatrix@padding}}%
@@ -938,7 +938,7 @@
 % Definition of \cvskillhead valid moderncvbodyv
 \if@moderncvbodyv%
     \RenewDocumentCommand\cvskillhead{O{.25em} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultOne} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultTwo} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultThree} +O{\skillMatrix@HeaderDefaultFour}}{%
-        \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+        \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
         \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
         \vspace*{-\separatorrulewidth}% HACK; I don't understand where the space is coming from, nor what it's exact value is :(
         \begingroup%
@@ -990,7 +990,7 @@
     \IfBooleanTF{#1}{% If a star is seen a dotted line is drawn above the entry
         \begingroup
             \renewcommand{\arraystretch}{1.25}
-            \arrayrulecolor{color1}
+            \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}
             \begin{tabular}{@{}p{\skillmatrix@hintscolumnwidth}@{\hspace{\separatorcolumnwidth}}%
                     p{\cvskill@width}@{\hspace{\skillmatrix@padding}}%
                     p{\cvskill@descriptorwidth}@{\hspace{\skillmatrix@padding}}%
@@ -1018,7 +1018,7 @@
 \if@moderncvbodyv%
     \DeclareDocumentCommand\@starIndependentMatrixEntry{}{}%
     \RenewDocumentCommand\cvskillentry{s O{.25em} +m +m +m +m +m}{%
-        \arrayrulecolor{color1}%
+        \arrayrulecolor{bodyrulecolor}%
         \setlength\arrayrulewidth{\separatorrulewidth}%
         \vspace*{-\separatorrulewidth}% HACK; I don't understand where the space is coming from, nor what it's exact value is :(
         %test for the star * in the command
diff --git a/moderncvstylebanking.sty b/moderncvstylebanking.sty
index afc20e5..9a38386 100644
--- a/moderncvstylebanking.sty
+++ b/moderncvstylebanking.sty
@@ -60,7 +60,28 @@
     \moderncvicons{letters}     % do not use symbols, use letters
 \fi
 
-
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!60}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2!85}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                header, body & footer
diff --git a/moderncvstylecasual.sty b/moderncvstylecasual.sty
index eba5df6..928f68a 100644
--- a/moderncvstylecasual.sty
+++ b/moderncvstylecasual.sty
@@ -47,6 +47,28 @@
     \moderncvicons{letters}     % do not use symbols, use letters
 \fi
 
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                header, body & footer
diff --git a/moderncvstyleclassic.sty b/moderncvstyleclassic.sty
index 3018cc6..0c9c77d 100644
--- a/moderncvstyleclassic.sty
+++ b/moderncvstyleclassic.sty
@@ -47,6 +47,28 @@
     \moderncvicons{letters}     % do not use symbols, use letters
 \fi
 
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
 
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                header, body & footer
diff --git a/moderncvstyleempty.sty b/moderncvstyleempty.sty
index a865605..877b3cb 100644
--- a/moderncvstyleempty.sty
+++ b/moderncvstyleempty.sty
@@ -32,6 +32,29 @@
 %                style definition
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color2}
+% \colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
+
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                fonts & icons
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/moderncvstylefancy.sty b/moderncvstylefancy.sty
index 56de636..2464fa9 100644
--- a/moderncvstylefancy.sty
+++ b/moderncvstylefancy.sty
@@ -21,6 +21,30 @@
 \ExecuteOptions{symbols}
 \ProcessOptions*\relax% \ProcessOptions* processes the options in the order provided (i.e., with the later ones possibly overriding the former ones), while \ProcessOptions processes them in the order of the package
 
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
+
+
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                fonts & icons
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/moderncvstyleoldstyle.sty b/moderncvstyleoldstyle.sty
index 78225e0..466af7e 100644
--- a/moderncvstyleoldstyle.sty
+++ b/moderncvstyleoldstyle.sty
@@ -50,6 +50,30 @@
 \fi
 
 
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+%               Colors
+%-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+% head and footer
+\colorlet{lastnamecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{namecolor}{lastnamecolor}
+\colorlet{headrulecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{firstnamecolor}{lastnamecolor!50}
+\colorlet{titlecolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{addresscolor}{color2}
+\colorlet{quotecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{pictureframecolor}{color1}
+% body
+\colorlet{bodyrulecolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{sectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{subsectioncolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{hintstylecolor}{color0}
+% letter
+\colorlet{letterclosingcolor}{color2}
+% skillmatrix
+\colorlet{skillmatrixfullcolor}{color1}
+\colorlet{skillmatrixemptycolor}{color2!30}
+
+
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 %                header, body & footer
 %-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/template.tex b/template.tex
index 01c9c65..63f7776 100644
--- a/template.tex
+++ b/template.tex
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
 
 \documentclass[11pt,a4paper,sans]{moderncv}        % possible options include font size ('10pt', '11pt' and '12pt'), paper size ('a4paper', 'letterpaper', 'a5paper', 'legalpaper', 'executivepaper' and 'landscape') and font family ('sans' and 'roman')
 
-% moderncv themes
-\moderncvstyle{classic}                             % style options are 'casual' (default), 'classic', 'banking', 'oldstyle' and 'fancy'
 \moderncvcolor{blue}                               % color options 'black', 'blue' (default), 'burgundy', 'green', 'grey', 'orange', 'purple' and 'red'
+% moderncv themes
+\moderncvstyle{casual}                             % style options are 'casual' (default), 'classic', 'banking', 'oldstyle' and 'fancy'
 %\renewcommand{\familydefault}{\sfdefault}         % to set the default font; use '\sfdefault' for the default sans serif font, '\rmdefault' for the default roman one, or any tex font name
 %\nopagenumbers{}                                  % uncomment to suppress automatic page numbering for CVs longer than one page