Pantone, the global authority on colour and people who dictate what's 'Elephant's Breath' and what's just ivory have announced their 2016 'Colour of The Year'. This year's announcement is special, however, as for the first time in the history of the award, it's actually two colours.
The colours in question are 'Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity', which are a soft pink and baby blue respectively. T he colour numbers are 15-3919 for Serenity and 13-1520 for Rose Quartz, for any real hue nerds out there. Pantone say they chose the shades after reflecting on our current obsession with wellbeing.
In a press release, Pantone said "As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to the stress of modern day lives, welcoming colours that psychologically fulfil the yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Weightless and airy, like the expanse of the blue sky above us, Serenity comforts with a calming effect, bringing feelings of respite and relaxation even in turbulent times. Rose Quartz is a persuasive yet gentle tone that conveys compassion and a sense of composure."
Looking to the colour in fashion, Pantone noted the colour appearing at BCBG, Emilio Pucci and Leanne Marshall's recent runway collections. Rose Quartz has been popular in the beauty industry, too, lending itself well to soft blushes and dainty lips, while Serenity ties in with the metallic trends we've been spotting on lips and nails backstage and on the red carpet.
Pantone choose their colour of the year by looking at trends in fashion, beauty and interiors, and studying socioeconomic change, as well as tracking popular art movements and travel destinations. In recent years, technology and social media has played an even greater role in Pantone's decision, as they too capture a worldwide audience.
“This more multilateral approach to colour is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumers’ increased comfort with using colour as a form of expression which includes a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged, and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to colour usage."
Last year's colour was 'Marsala' - a deep plum - which looked especially lovely on nails. If you're looking to give your home a makeover, or invest in some new season pieces early, consider yourself ahead of the curve.