In a tradition that has evolved into a global phenomenon, Pantone, the authority on color, has revealed that Pantone 13-1023 “Peach Fuzz” will be the Color of the Year for 2024. The announcement marks the 25th edition of this annual event, which has grown from a small engagement with the design community in 1999 into a significant moment eagerly anticipated worldwide each December.
Described as “a velvety gentle peach tone whose all-embracing spirit enriches mind, body, and soul,” Pantone 13-1023 “Peach Fuzz” was carefully selected to resonate with the innate human yearning for closeness and connection. Leatrice Eisenman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained the choice, stating, “In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. A shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.”
The journey of Pantone as the authority on color and the influencer of trends began in 1999 with the Pantone Color Institute’s education program. The company aimed to showcase the interconnectedness of color and culture, demonstrating that global events and societal shifts could be mirrored and expressed through the language of color. Since then, the Color of the Year has grown in popularity, extending its influence beyond the realms of design and art into shaping trends in marketing, consumer products, and various industries.
Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, commented on the program’s impact over the years, stating, “Since we introduced Pantone 15-4020 Cerulean Blue as the first Pantone Color of the Year in 1999, we have seen this program influence product development and purchasing decisions in nearly every industry and country around the world.”
The Color of the Year has become a symbolically rich representation of the collective mood and serves as a wellspring of inspiration for designers, creatives, and businesses globally. Pantone’s team of color experts rigorously analyzes trends in fashion, art, technology, and socio-economic factors, creating a color that encapsulates the current cultural climate.
This year’s choice of a gentle and subdued hue reflects a departure from the vibrant magentas, violets, and bright yellows of recent years. Against the backdrop of a powerful and divisive global conflict and an impending important election, the choice of “Peach Fuzz” encourages a collective pause and centring. The soothing peach tone acts as a reminder to embrace compassion and bridge the divide, providing a visual anchor amid the complexities of the modern world.
As Pantone continues to wield its influence in shaping color trends, Pantone 13-1023 “Peach Fuzz” stands poised to leave its mark on fashion, color cosmetics, home furnishings, automotive and industrial design, product and packaging design, multimedia design, and commercial interiors, influencing the visual landscape of 2024.