By AMC Newton for QHQ

Did you know that Thursday 21st March 2024 is International Colour Day? This is a day established by the International Colour Association (AIC) who have members from 30 countries. The aim of the day is to celebrate colour, with various events being held around the world. The 21st March was picked as it’s the equinox with just about 12 hours of sunlight and 12 hours of night. The International Colour Day gives us an opportunity to think about the role that colour plays in our lives.

“…in a world which often emphasizes productivity and external achievements, it is critical we recognize the importance of fostering our inner selves …” Pantone

One aspect of colour that I look forward to every year is the Pantone Colour of the Year. The colour standard system company Pantone have, for the last 25 years, announced a Colour of the Year. This is with the view that colour has the ability to tell a story, reflects what is happening in the world, encapsulates the sentiment of a time, and might suggest something people are craving.

Fig 1. Pantone standard for Peach Fuzz Colour of the Year 2024

2024 is no different, the colour chosen by Pantone this year is Peach Fuzz (see Fig 1.) Some of the reasoning as to why Peach Fuzz was chosen is explained by Pantone: “…in a world which often emphasizes productivity and external achievements, it is critical we recognize the importance of fostering our inner selves and find moments of respite, creativity, and human connection amid the hustle and bustle of modern life.”

Fig 2. Showing the mood of Pantone Colour of the Year (Photo by Pantone)

By choosing Peach Fuzz Pantone are capturing the feeling of the move away from constant producing and being ‘on’ towards the need for more self-care. It’s interesting how a colour can help reflect the mood of a time. The softness of Peach Fuzz certainly does this. The very name suggests something soft to the touch, like a peach skin. The colour was also selected for its tactility and warmness. It can evoke feelings of cosiness and cocooning away from the world, as shown in Figs 2-5 which are mood images from Pantone.

Fig 3. Mood image from Pantone for Peach Fuzz (Photo by Pantone)

Fig 4. Mood Image from Pantone for Peach Fuzz (Photo by Pantone)

Curious to understand more about Pantone Colour of the Year I spoke with International Trend Consultant Louisa Smith. With over 20 years experience in fashion & textiles, Louisa works with companies at all levels of the supply chain to help them stay ahead of the trend curve. Read on to hear Louisa’s thoughts on colour forecasting, sustainability, innovation, and bright nail varnish!

AMC Newton (AMC): How influential do you think Pantone Colour of the Year is for retailers and for customers?

Louisa Smith (LS): I think it is good to have Pantone Colour of the Year as it gives a sense of where the mood is regarding a colour.

AMC: Do you think trend forecasting like Pantone Colour of the Year is self-fulfilling?

LS: Yes, purely because Pantone is the name synonymous with colours. So, they do have an impact on announcing Colour of the Year - and brands think they must use this colour - so there is an automatic chain reaction in multiple industries.

AMC: How could Colour forecasting be improved do you think?

LS: With the colour trends I work on for ISPO Textrends - I always say in the presentations - this is our mood from our research- take from it what you want - interplay colours with existing palettes you are running. Most brands have a standard palette they run - so it is interesting to see new accents come through - even if it is in drop in collections.

AMC: Is it difficult, do you think, to choose one colour of the year to cover both fashion and home?

LS: Yes, I would say it is - I think it is difficult for different markets to accept one colour for the year as not all colours are popular in regional markets - some colours just don’t work.

AMC: How might Colour of the Year be improved environmentally & ethically?

LS: I think it would be good to highlight some of the new sustainable techniques in achieving the colour - there are some innovative textile processes that save water, reduce waste and eliminate water in different manufacturing processes across industries.

AMC: With all that is happening in the world; wars, cost of living crisis, instability--what role does colour play or could it play in our lives?

LS: I believe colour is incredibly important, it is a way of expression, and it can lift the consumers mood. It doesn’t have to be in the form of an expense of new clothing, you only have to look at nail market to see the surge in new varnishes.

Fig 3. Nail varnish colours. Photo by Dan Cristian Pădureț on Unsplash

AMC: Any other comments?

LS: Like a lot of people, I wear dark tones, and like many fashion brands, this is what will sell, rarely do you walk past a window and it is screaming colour. Saying that, I am wearing my black basics, a lime green cardigan and fuchsia pink nail varnish. It makes me feel great! I do believe brands in all sectors should look at colour trends that are launched via various agencies - but don’t follow them acutely but be inspired and be confident in being creative.

Thank you to Louisa Smith for her valuable insights into the world of colour trend forecasting, and for the reminder that as business and individuals we can select parts of the colour trends that work for us, and implement them in different ways-whether through a cosy Peach Fuzz blanket, or a vibrant uplifting nail varnish as worn by Louisa.

“I believe colour is incredibly important, it is a way of expression, and it can lift the consumer’s mood”

Louisa Smith’

With this in mind, if you were to create your own colour trend just for you, what colours would make the cut for 2024? What would your personal colour story be? What might your Hero colour of the year be for you personally, and how could you implement that in your life? We’d love to see you share on social media and don’t forget to tag us!

#pantone #peachfuzz #creativeorangestudio #louisasmith #qhq