You’ve probably heard of Pantone colour of the year, and you’re perhaps also already aware that this year’s colour is called peach fuzz.
Why colour of the year?
You might also be wondering WHY pantone proclaims a colour of the year every year, and fun fact: they have been doing it for 25 years, the first Pantone colour of the year was in 1999. To arrive at the selection each year, the team of global Pantone color experts comb the world looking for new color influences. And I think the hyped-up Barbie movie last year was a major influence in making Viva magenta colour of the year for 2023.
Not only for clothing and wardrobe
Pantone colour of the year is supposed to reflect a lifestyle trend. So we’re not talking only clothing and wardrobe, this is a colour that is supposed to say something on a global level about what we need more of in our lives, interiors, accessories and wardrobes in the coming year. The effect of every pantone colour of the year can be noticeable throughout the year in all kinds of marketing and product creation, all fabric-based fashion, in print, pattern and solid colours.
Does that mean that we should all jump on the bandwagon and make the pantone colour our guideline for purchases in 2024? Not at all. For me as a colour analyst, I find it interesting to look closely at Pantone colour of the year, and then decide which Seasons it harmonises best with.
And I found a lovely quote from the CEO of Pantone:
“The goal of the program is to help companies and consumers better understand the power color can have. We want to highlight color’s role as a silent language to teach them how to leverage color’s power and expressiveness to influence perception — whether it be to create a more successful design strategy that will increase consumer engagement, or to better showcase your own personal identity.»
Colour as a silent language
If pantone colour of the year has a lovely harmony with your palette, you may find some gems this year that will help you showcase your Season and personal identity, and the colour of the year may inspire you to invest in something truly lovely.
For me, this happened last year, when as you know colour of the year was Viva Magenta. I invested in this lovely necklace, and I also knitted myself this cardigan in the vibrant bright Barbie pink. I call it my "Barbiegan". And I will continue to love and use these items for many more years.
But who is this year’s colour for? Which Season is it perfect for, and should you hoard or hide? Watch this video to decide for yourself:
