Pantone Colour of the Year : Rose Quartz and Serenity

For this year, Pantone have decided to select two pastel colours for their colour(s) of the year. Not only is it uncommon for Pantone to select two colours, but also this is a softer take on colour than Pantone is used to.

On Pantone's website it states:

As consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent.

Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order
and peace.
In many parts of the world we are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design. This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer’s increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.

In previous years, Pantone have decided on bolder tones for their 'colour of the year'. In 2015 they chose the colour 'Marsala', which is a deep earthy red wine and in 2014 it was 'Radiant Orchid', a blend of pink and purple tones.

'Radiant Orchid' - Pantone Colour of the Year 2014

'Marsala' - Pantone Colour of the Year 2015

Colour(s) of the Year 2016

As you can see from the colour swatches above, the 'Colour of the Year' from 2014 and 2015 have been a lot more vibrant and bold than the colours that were chosen for this year. I think that 'Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity' are very effective as they they truly evoke feelings of calmness and peacefulness which are perfect tones to combat stress. The blend of both of these colours emulates the mix between masculinity and femininity and shows that they pair well together. As well as this, I think that both of these colours are very versatile and can be incorporated into both mens and women fashion, and home-wear in any season. Here are some mood boards that I created on Polyvore for both 'Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity'.

ROSE QUARTZ

'Rose Quartz' in different items of clothing and accessories.

'Rose Quartz' Home.

SERENITY

'Serenity' Home.

'Serenity' in different items of clothing and accessories.

Nike Air Force 1 Pantone Concept

After the these colours were released, graphic artist Zkay Yong created a series of concept images of what a collaboration between Pantone's 'Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity', and one of Nikes most iconic shoes: the Air Force 1. Yong created 4 shoe designs. Two were solid colours of 'Rose Quartz' and 'Serenity' and the other two styles were an ombre gradient of the two colours. The ombre effect truly emulate the message that Pantone as a brand wants to convey to their consumers, which is "tranquility, fluidity and gender equality". As well as this, Yong created corresponding boxes that the shoes would be packaged in when sold. Despite the fact that this is only a concept, I think that this shoe would sell really well as it is an iconic and classic Nike model, as well as the colour palette being universal and very versatile.

Here are the concept images: