Pantone: How they choose Colour of the Year

Pantone ‘Colour of the Year’ – 'Cloud Dancer' Credits: Pantone Interview Global colour authority Pantone has chosen a ‘Colour of the Year’ since 2000, when it opted for ‘Cerulean Blue,’ a serene colour for the millennium, and since then it has selected pink, red, orange, green, purple, blue, yellow, grey, and brown hues, and this year sees the very first white, ‘Cloud Dancer’. What started out as an educational programme to engage the design community and colour enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around colour has turned into an annual in-depth trend forecasting event, which takes into consideration socio-economic conditions, lifestyle, and political influences, such as fashion, entertainment, and travel destinations. For 2026, Pantone has selected an ethereal hue, ‘Cloud Dancer,’ which aims to serve as a symbol of calm “in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection,” offering a “blank canvas” to inspire a fresh start, while quieting the mind to encourage "true relaxation”. “In a world where colour has become synonymous with personal expression, Cloud Dancer is a shade that can adapt, harmonise and create contrast, bringing a feeling of airy lightness to all product applications and environments, whether a stand-alone statement or combined with other hues,” adds Pantone. Pantone ‘Cloud Dancer’ Credits: Pantone by The Development To find out more about how Pantone decides on its Colour of the Year, how ‘Cloud Dancer’ differs from last year’s warm, brown hue ‘Mocha Mousse’, and the importance of colour, FashionUnited spoke to Jane…

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