Pantone: How they choose Colour of the Year
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.
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 Boddy_ creative director of Pantone Color Institute.
How does Pantone go about choosing _Colour of the Year_?
Choosing the Pantone Colour of the Year is never something we just pull out of thin air. It comes from months of trend-watching and cultural research that our global team at the Pantone Color Institute does throughout the year. The same thinking that leads us to that one colour also shapes the palettes we build for our trend-forecasting tools.
We_re constantly scanning what_s happening around us_ everything from movies in development and big moments in entertainment_ to traveling exhibitions_ emerging artists_ and what we_re seeing in fashion and design. We look at shifts in lifestyle and leisure_ the places people dream of visiting_ and the broader social and economic mood. We even track new tech_ materials_ textures_ digital conversations_ and those major global sporting events that tend to capture everyone_s attention.
All of that feeds into understanding where the world is heading_ and ultimately_ which colour feels right for the moment.
How would you describe this year_s colour _Cloud Dancer_?
Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a soft_ airy white with a gentle warmth that softens its appearance. It feels light and open_ like breathable clarity_ avoiding the harshness or glare of a cooler_ more clinical white.
Instead_ it carries a natural_ human softness that makes it calming and easy on the eye. Its surface reads as quietly luminous rather than bright_ offering a subtle radiance that feels serene and effortless.
Cloud Dancer creates the impression of space and stillness_ like a blank page washed in diffused daylight_ giving objects and environments a sense of purity_ comfort_ and understated refinement.
The 2025 _Colour of the Year__ Mocha Mouse was a warming_ brown hue. How does _Cloud Dancer_ compare?
Even though the two colours appear quite different_ they share a surprising amount of common ground. Both are grounding_ comforting_ and highly versatile_ effortlessly crossing into all areas of design. Just as importantly_ they speak to a cultural desire for pause_ reflection_ and a softer_ more intentional way of moving through the world.
Pantone 17-1320 Mocha Mousse brings quiet confidence and understated elegance. Its simplicity reads as sophisticated_ and its soft_ sensorial warmth offers calm amid our fast-moving_ digitally driven lives. It subtly elevates everyday moments_ bridging technology and human emotion so even routine interactions feel more thoughtful and premium.
Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer carries these values as well. Its airy openness creates clarity and spaciousness_ almost like a visual exhale. Like Mocha Mousse_ it encourages balance_ gentleness_ and a return to essentials. Together_ they express a shared longing for grounding comfort and a more mindful pace_ each contributing its own dimension to that emotional landscape.
What kind of colours will work well with _Cloud Dancer_?
What makes this colour truly special is its versatility. Cloud Dancer can stand confidently on its own as a clear_ singular statement. As a modern white_ it aligns with today_s softer approach to minimalism_ offering a mood that feels calm_ sensual_ and gently grounding. Yet it also performs beautifully as a supportive framework for other colours.
Paired with bright tones_ it adds a crisp clarity that sharpens and lifts their energy_ making vivid hues feel even more dynamic. With softened tones_ pastels_ and quiet neutrals_ Cloud Dancer settles into the background with ease_ giving subtle colours the space to breathe.
It can ground_ amplify_ sharpen_ or diffuse depending on the moment. This ability to adapt while retaining its gentle warmth makes Cloud Dancer especially relevant for the year ahead — a colour that shifts with intention and always supports the atmosphere around it.
How do you see brands and retailers utilising this year_s colour?
One of the key ideas behind Pantone Colour of the Year 2026 is its role as a blank canvas_ a shade that opens up space for imagination and creativity to lead. Brands can tap into this by embracing both the colour and its narrative within their products_ experiences_ and environments.
The story behind the shade is just as important as the hue itself_ offering a powerful framework that can spark new ideas_ refresh existing lines_ or shape the atmosphere of a space. In this way_ Cloud Dancer becomes more than a colour. It becomes a storytelling tool_ a catalyst for possibility and creative direction.
How does Pantone stay ahead in a fast-moving creative landscape?
We_re fortunate to have such a large and diverse global team_ made up of people with different backgrounds and deep experience across the design industries. That diversity means everyone brings a fresh point of view. As a team_ we_re united by our curiosity about the world_ culture_ and innovation. It_s something that comes naturally to us_ and it keeps us constantly tuned in to what_s happening around us.
With that mindset_ we_re able to spot shifts early and get a sense of what_s coming next.
Why is colour so important for brands?
Colour sits at the heart of every design decision. We have an emotional reaction to a product or an image before we even realise it_ and that response is almost always driven by colour. It can define the entire attitude or personality of a brand. Every shade carries its own story_ one that is deeply connected to colour psychology.
Throughout my years in design_ I_ve seen this become increasingly important. Right now_ colour is one of the most influential aspects of any design-led choice_ shaping how we feel_ how we connect_ and how we understand the world around us.
How did you get into colour forecasting?
I originally started out as a fashion designer_ working with well-known brands and developing the stories and palettes for their collections. That was the part of the job that excited me most_ and it made me realise that colour could be a career in its own right. So_ I decided to steer my path in that direction.
I eventually became head of colour at WGSN_ one of the world_s leading forecasting agencies. The natural next step for me was to join the world_s most iconic colour company. What I love about Pantone is its reach. Pantone Colour of the Year is something everyone can engage with_ not just the design industry. People genuinely get excited about it_ and it creates a real buzz. It brings everyone in. It_s inclusive_ engaging_ and instantly recognisable_ and I meet very few people who don_t know who Pantone is.
What does colour mean to you?
Well_ it_s an obsession. It always has been. I love colour. It makes me feel good_ and every time I work on a project_ I get so much energy from it. It_s my natural place.
Which of the previous Colour of the Year hues has been your favourite and why?
I think it_s hard to choose a favourite from past years because I always fall in love with the new one. Especially this year_s_ because it really digs into how people are feeling_ and for me_ the narrative behind a colour is just as important as the colour itself.
I loved Peach Fuzz because it felt so warm and friendly_ and Mocha Mousse was such a beautiful shade of brown with that subtle pinkness.