"After the economic crash in 2009 came mimosa, a warm and engaging shade of yellow said to represent hope and optimism (it rang true with a mimosa-coloured sofa becoming a must-have and everyone taking up daily affirmations). In 2016, there was the blending of serenity and rose quartz AKA the ubiquitous millennial pink while last year's mocha mousse is the reason you are seeing brown everywhere."
"Pantone describes cloud dancer as a billowy white imbued with serenity, which serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. It's basically white, but not Hollywood veneer white. A sort of off-white. If you follow Molly-Mae Hague, or any other influencer with a home that resembles a clinical setting, you'll already be familiar with it."
"Yet, against a background of rising white nationalism and the culling of diversity, equity and inclusion programmes in the US and UK not to mention vibrant colours making a massive comeback on the catwalks after the death of quiet luxury critics quickly called it Pantone-deaf. In an interview with the Washington Post, Pantone's vice-president, Laurie Pressman, defended the choice, saying: Skin tones did not factor into this."
Pantone named Cloud Dancer its 2026 Color of the Year, calling it a billowy off-white imbued with serenity and a symbol of calming influence and quiet reflection. Past Color of the Year choices have mirrored cultural moods, including mimosa after the 2009 crash, serenity and rose quartz in 2016, and last year’s mocha mousse driving a brown trend. The Cloud Dancer choice generated criticism amid rising white nationalism and rollbacks of diversity and inclusion programmes in the US and UK. Laurie Pressman stated, "Skin tones did not factor into this." Pantone is promoting the color through collaborations including with Motorola.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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