Prince fans will adore Pantone’s 2018 color of the year
The color gods at Pantone have spoken — the shade to sport in 2018 will be ultra violet.
The blue-based purple aims to take “awareness and potential to a higher level,” Pantone said in its announcement Thursday morning. “From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive ultra violet lights the way to what is yet to come.”
The color is a nod to celebrity, counterculture and standout artistry, as it’s been linked to musicians such as Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix. Pantone also points out that ultra violet has been associated with mysticism and spirituality throughout history.
“The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces and other gathering places energizes the communities that gather there and inspire connection,” according to the announcement.
Pantone makes its yearly color selection based on trends observed in fashion and interior design. Plus, it’s a reflection of the social and political landscape. For 2017, it crowned greenery the year’s hot hue. For 2016, Pantone went with rose quartz and serenity (a tranquil blue), the first time it declared
more than one color of the year.
In fashion, at least, greenery didn’t make the splash that Pantone predicted, and it’s questionable if ultra violet will either. On the runway at New York Fashion Week in September — which mostly previewed trends for spring and summer -— buttery yellows, cherry tomato, powder blues and soft pinks were more predominant than purples, although ultra violet did land a spot in Pantone’s spring 2018 color forecast.
Historically, the more wearable a color is, the more likely its popularity will be. Take emerald, Pantone’s color for 2013. Within days of it being declared a color to watch in the new year, all-things emerald were sold out at most stores, especially jewelry retailers.
Given that violet isn’t the most versatile or universally flattering color, people probably won’t be flocking to add it to their wardrobe in 2018.