Pantone reveals 2022 color of the year – WWD

Colloquial “What’s New?” disappeared as a conversation starter as the pandemic dragged on into its second year, but Pantone is providing a solid answer to that question with Color of the Year.

Instead of picking one winner from the top seasonal colors – or two, as was the case in previous years – the color experts split from the grid to create the 2022 shade. The Very Peri Pick. their – Pantone 17-3938 – announced on Wednesday night at a fascinating event at Artechouse.

Knowing many people still feel mired in the same search for a different way of living and working, and the will and determination to deal with current challenges, the Pantone Color Institute experts say they also count to the promise of eye-opening possibilities and prospects, our growing reliance on digital technology, and “the whole thing with the metaverse” in developing new colors. It’s a terrible thing to ask for any color, but in the name of creativity, newness, and future, they made one.

In a joint interview with Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, vice president Laurie Pressman said, “This is a really different time. How do we capture this moment with the changing world as it is? How can we come up with something that symbolizes global fervor and the transformation the world is going through? “

After much thought, homework, decision making, and back and forth on how to encapsulate all of those emotions into one color that conveys creativity, Pantone came up with Very Peri, a periwinkle green with red purple tones. The blue family is a starting point, due to the familiarity, comfort level, safety factor, and sense of endearment that many people have for the color blue, Eiseman said. They also wanted to convey a sense of freshness, move towards the future, and reflect the digital world – that’s where the red purple comes in, she says.

That combination aims to bring dynamism, creativity, imagination and moving forward. “We are very excited about it because it is a new Pantone color. This is the first time we’ve done that with Color of the Year,” said Eiseman.

The blue and red combination is not at all a bridge for political parties, says Pressman. “It really goes back to the comfort, stability and dependability qualities of blue. This is not about politics at all. And to bring a fresh perspective to the blue family. ”

Interestingly, Very Peri can be found in the wild, as seen in periwinkle flowers, exotic birds, butterflies and mammals, and also in the digital space. With digital design opening up more color possibilities, Pressman notes that people are seamlessly connecting their physical surroundings with what they see on screen.

That versatility extends to fashion as well, as Very Peri comes in a wide range of color combinations “from more sophisticated and neutrals to brighter, more vibrant hues,” says Eiseman . “If you translate that word for fashion, you can imagine it being lavish fabric or metallic fabric for after five hours for her to dress better with her accessories. And also in casual wear, it’s a great color for fleece and things like that. It is not a color that you would think has versatility. However, that’s when you start working on it. ”

Not purple, Very Peri is a warmer shade of blue with the playfulness the design community should aim for, says Pressman. Not only is it fun, but futuristic, says Eiseman, the colors reflect some strands and spheres. She says that color also has a certain effect that can translate into plain or luxurious fabrics. Shading is also said to encourage ingenuity among designers.

As for incorporating Very Peri into the digital world, consumers can use it for your wallpaper, Zoom call background, any kind of animation, digital art, gaming, fashion digital and other applications, Pressman emphasized. “I keep coming back to the metaverse. I hate using from now on [the company formerly known as] Facebook has embraced that. It’s a broad word, but whether it’s games, fashion or interiors in the metaverse. Maybe it’s part of my store. Maybe it’s part of my environment or the outfit I’m wearing. Maybe my avatar wants to wear it, when she goes to Adele’s concert in the metaverse. Maybe that’s what Robles is creating with Louis Vuitton. There are a lot of different uses when you get started in that space. It can be used for animation, movies or shows. It’s a true color that seamlessly transitions between physical and digital. ”

Addressing the potential, Pressman notes how all of this digital clothing is being created by multiple brands, including Nike, Vans and Gucci that “a lot of people are buying”

While Very Peri is well-suited for all sorts of physical applications, Pantone can’t overlook where things are headed, and this is an acknowledgment of the gamut available to those in that field, Pressman said. . (Pantone has partnered with Microsoft to offer Color of the Year in custom Team wallpapers, Windows wallpapers, the new Edge theme, and across other Microsoft products.)

To some extent, that ties into the ethos of Pantone. “From the very beginning, our whole intention was to create a conversation around color. It certainly did. People are understanding color more, because they are more immersed in it. They are curious about it. That opens up more potential for a slightly unusual color,” says Eiseman.

With help from Tezos, an energy-efficient blockchain network, Pantone is diving into digital art with its Color of the Year. Paris-based artist called Polygon1993 joined forces with both parties to create a digital color rendition of the Artechouse installation at the preview event. And Pantone has partnered with Cariuma to produce the limited-edition Color of the Year footwear.

Virgil Abloh’s final collection of Louis Vuitton menswear featured styles in Very Peri. Ariana Grande showed the color in a classic style Gucci halter tops on “The Voice” and Lady Gaga avoid the shade in the movie “The House of Gucci”.

Overall, Very Peri can be a reminder of dreams. “Its futuristic aspect affects not only technology but also our minds. There will be a better space out there. That is something to strive for. Sure.”