Groundbreaking: 2 Pantone Colors of the Year

As soon as I hit the “publish” button on yesterday’s post, the Wall Street Journal announced the news that two colors instead of one had been selected as the Pantone ColorS of the Year for 2016.  In light of that, there was no way I was going to miss this morning’s Pantone webinar (free, but “sold out”, and luckily I had my reservation) wherein Pantone explained their choices.

First, I want to say that the images used are with Pantone’s permission.  Secondly, the presentation was made by Laurie Pressman, Vice-President of the Pantone Color Institute. Without further ado:

The first color is Rose Quartz, described as a warm, compassionate and embracing hue. And then there is Serenity, a weightless, airy, cooler color that symbolizes respite and relaxation. Together they symbolize our desire for creating balance, harmony, peace.

At first I was skeptical about the colors. I thought “blue/pink: boy/girl. I get it.”.  But there is so much more to the story.

First of all, the Pantone Color Institute combs the world for influencers: travel, technology, fashion, street art, packaging, trade shows, photography, home furnishings, basically anything and everything. Their selected colors are REFLECTIVE of emerging trends reported.  Pantone showed us slide after slide of products, people, packaging, photography etc. to literally blow our minds with the uses to which these colors have already been put.  


Individually, these colors have their meanings, but together they are synergistic. They fuse together to represent harmony. In most examples, the two colors were used together, often along with their lavender-ish resulting mix.  Lots of light, sky, pastels.

And then Pressman went into a discussion about the current turbulent world events and what it means to all generations - from Boomers to GenX, and others.  We are all desirous of creating balance and harmony in our lives, separate from the world stage. This harmonious color pairing creates tranquility, and is emotionally reflective of the desire for inner peace.  Refuge.


There was also a slide show showing how the “traditional” Pink is for Girls and Blue is for Boys came into being. As recently as the 1920’s, pink was considered the stronger color and was designated for boys. But after WWII, the shift began, and the movie Funny Face and their mantra “think pink” cemented the Pink is for Girls mindset, particularly in the US.  

"Pantone believes the blend reflects a gender neutrality that has strengthened over the last year or so and is sure to carry through to 2016 and beyond", said Pressman.


Yes, we’ve seen it before in the 1960s and 1970s (and beyond) with androgynous styling in pantsuits and then into women’s tailored suits and ties. But it is different this time in that not only are women selecting what was traditionally considered masculine styling, but men are exploring their feminine sides. In combination with not only defining themselves through their jobs, they are taking on more parenting and cooking, and wearing softer colors; lavender, pink, pale shades. Menswear is evolving.


A significant part of the market is recognizing gender neutral styling. An example that hits home to the average person: Target stores have removed their pink Girls and blue Boys signs. Their children’s clothing department allows kids to mix and match the colors and styles that best fit them individually.  In fashion, the trend is to think of the individual as the “canvas”, that can be clothed - without regard to stereotypical colors or styles - a statement that reflects the individual.



So there you have it.  Colors that set a mood: peace, serenity, balance and harmony.  Colors that are blurring the lines of gender identification (in that all colors, like people, are equal). Colors that speak to our desire for inner peace and tranquility.  

They have a lot of hype to live up to.  Personally, I would have taken the easy way: sunshine yellow. 

Choosing a Color of the Year: Pre-Announcement Chatter

It is always with a lot of fanfare that Pantone announces its Color of the Year. And you can bet that I am registered for the Webinar tomorrow to watch it!

The Spring 2016 palette has been out a couple months, and can be seen below.  The actual color of the year is chosen from this palette. On the Pantone website, you can look at each color to see which designers are using it in their 2016 collections.

The color of the year is not a Commandment, as some people think.  It is a reflection of what designers and reporters from all design-related industries have seen being used, or “trending". It is a prediction based on lots of information-gathering and is always changing. Hence, a new palette every season (twice a year).  Often, if a color grabs hold, you will see it go from clothing/fabrics to home decorating and design, and often into others areas - homes, logos, etc.

2015’s Color was Marsala, a wine-brown. And while there was a lot of grumbling at first, it is easy to see NOW - a year later - that brown has been making a comeback in color choices. There are a lot more fabrics with a brown family color way. Brown leather is hot in boots and furniture. And there are a lot more browns offered in winter clothing this year. A warming trend.

If the warming trend continues, I predict that Buttercup may be the color of the year. However, I am guessing that it may be Snorkel Blue.  In my opinion (which is worth the paper it is printed on - HA!) Rose quartz, Lilac Gray and Serenity are close contenders.

After the seminar, I will do an announcement post.  In the meantime, which color is your favorite???

2015 Pantone Color of the Year

.....and YOU thought it was going to be teal, after all the Frozen/Elsa ice dress madness.  Ha!

Welcome to Marsala, a rich red-brown.  (I’m thinking chocolate....)  Pantone, Inc., who professes themselves to be "the authority on color, provider of color systems and leading technology for accurate communication of color” has named Marsala the 2015 Color of the Year.  

Now we can all run out and get Marsala lipstick, Marsala-colored fabric and shoes, Marsala wine (just for the heck of it), Marsala nail polish, Marsala this and Marsala that. Or not.

The entire Spring-Summer 2015 color palette is below and consists of (L-R, top to bottom): Aquamarine, Scuba Blue, Lucite Green (a retro color making a comeback), Classic Blue, Toasted Almond (warm neutral), Strawberry Ice, Tangerine, Custard, Marsala, and Glacier Gray (cool neutral).

If you are interested (color fascinates me), here is a link to the Pantone website.
(click here) .  There you will find a video of Lee Eiseman talking about these colors, as well as information on how colors are selected (who influences the choices).

So, will you be incorporating any of these colors into your art or wardrobe?

Hugs,

Pantone Color of the Year 2014

This year I am way late (surprise, surprise) in sharing the color of the year. So this is not so much “news”, but just sharing my thoughts and the colors in case you missed the announcements.

Pantone is a world-renowned authority on color. They are the “go-to” people who set color definitions and standards that span across all industries.  By studying designers throughout the world in various industries, they discover trending colors that are emerging as new favorites.

Pantone is a fascinating site if you are interested in color.  You can visit them here, but beware; you could spend lots of time there, LOL!!

Here is the 2014 Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid:

These are the colors from the Spring 2014 Pantone Fashion Color Report:

For spring, Pantone describes the colors as “a modern twist on the traditional” because they "pair soft pastels with vivid brights to create a colorful equilibrium."

The fall color report was just unveiled last week during the New York Fashion Week.  

The Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, Leatrice Eiseman says, “This is a season of untypical colors - more reflective of the imagination and ingenuity, which makes for an artful collection of colors and combinations by the usual hues for fall”.

I think the spring colors are gorgeous, and just love Radiant Orchid.  When I was in Arizona  last week on vacation, I bought a paperweight for my collection that has the orchid, cayenne and orange in it.  And I see some of these colors in my sewing for summer!

You can download both color reports and read about the influencers (designers) who played parts in the color selections for this year.  And you can also vote for your favorite color in each palette.  

So, which colors do you like?

2013 Pantone Color of the Year

I am so excited that Pantone announced their 2013 Color of the Year and the spring color palettes for women and men.  Are you ready?!?

The 2013 Pantone Color of the Year is Emerald!

The entire women’s color palette is below.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE the clear, fresh colors and could shut my eyes and pick any of them, in almost any combination, to wear. And think of the decorative possibilities for our homes, clothing, quilting, stitching, etc. !

The Pantone site has some fun colors resources for you.  Visit it here.  Watch the video that explains the how the colors were chosen and what they represent.  Take a color quiz.  Download the 43-page Pantone Spring Color Report and learn how various designers are already using these colors in their collections.

There is also a men’s Spring collection which retains six of the colors above; Emerald (of course), and then Monaco Blue, Poppy Red, Grayed Jade, Linen and Dusk Blue. The remaining four colors are Alloy (medium gray), Sunflower (instead of Lemon Zest), Vibrant Orange (more grayed than Nectarine), andTidal Foam (a khaki).

As a green lover, I am thrilled.  Green is, after all, the most common color in nature. I am excited to use more of it in my work (and clothing) in 2013!

So, what do you think of the colors?  Which is your favorite?

Hugs,