We are now entering a new year and big changes are coming! Color is everywhere using the neutral white pallet of the last decade as a backdrop. Look for the color trends to come from Pantone, the big boss of color worldwide in the design and consumer product industry. The Pantone Color institute is comprised of representatives from various nation’s color standards groups which span across industries of graphic, garment, interior and product design. This group meets in secret for two days every year for presentations and debate before choosing, by vote, the color of the year for the following year.
While most people are aware that colors “trend” most people do not realize why suddenly a color like ballet slipper pink is, literally everywhere. From home décor, graphic design, clothing and even nail polish. This color selection will pop up in cocktails and travel destination advertisements. For example, In 2016 Rose Quartz Pantone 13-1520 was named as the Color of the Year alongside her twin brother Serenity Pantone 15-3919, in a first ever duo of the year. Once, this coupling may have evoked baby boy blue and little girl pink. But in modern mixing of colors Leatrice Eiseman, Executive director of Pantone Color Institute says that “Joined together Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.” The color trends everywhere we look are actually a reflection of societal trends on a global level.
Five years ago, I wrote, “The past decade was lots of white and grey. In this new decade be on the lookout for coral, red and raisin shades of burgundy and brown…” And now, for 2025, Pantone has named Mocha Mousse 17-1230 as the color of the Year. In selecting this color, Eiseman reflected, “Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe,” which makes perfect sense in a year where costs are rising and comfortable sophistication in your established surroundings may make more sense than a trendy look that will need to be redone in the near future.
