PANTONE 2026
Art Cloud Dancer
Since 1999, the Pantone Color
of the Year has used the language of color to reflect what we see and what we
can expect for the year ahead, but above all, it mirrors the “sentiment” of the
world we live in. The result of a collaborative effort between designers and
color enthusiasts worldwide, the Pantone Color of the Year engages the design
community and color lovers in a broader discussion about color itself,
highlighting the relationship between color and culture.
It does not represent a single trend but tells the story of what is happening in the world and what people are seeking globally. As Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, explains: “The Pantone Color of the Year does not try to predict what it will represent three years from now, nor what it might have represented a year ago. It aims to represent what we see and expect for the upcoming year.”
ART CLOUD DANCER, COLOR OF THE
YEAR 2026
Every year, Pantone selects a
color that captures the global spirit of the time: the Color of the Year
expresses the overall mood and attitude and reflects the collective desire in a
single standout hue.
If 2025 was the year of Mocha Mousse, a warm brown tone evoking the indulgence of cocoa, chocolate, and coffee, appealing to our desire for comfort and simple pleasures, 2026 will be marked by Cloud Dancer: a whisper of tranquility and peace in a noisy world. The Pantone Color of the Year 2026 is a neutral white, an ethereal shade reminiscent of the softness of clouds, immediately evoking calm and serenity. Cloud Dancer captures a current social sentiment and carries a message of reconnection: an invitation to rediscover personal well-being, slow down, and embrace a more authentic dimension of daily life. This chosen hue expresses a collective state of mind: the freedom to be oneself, without constraints, allowing individuality to emerge naturally and spontaneously.
FROM INTERIORS TO BEAUTY
Cloud Dancer is a discreet
white whose versatility serves as a framework for the color spectrum, enhancing
all other colors. “In a world where color has become synonymous with personal
expression, this is a shade capable of adapting, harmonizing, and creating
contrast, bringing an airy lightness to all product applications and
environments, whether on its own or combined with other tones,” says Pantone.
It is a color that conveys
freshness and modernity, creating pleasant color contrasts without being loud.
In design and interiors, Cloud Dancer encourages the creation of spaces where
function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of calm and relaxation,
offering a refuge from daily chaos. In fashion, it envelops and protects,
promoting relaxation and well-being, bringing a sense of freshness and
modernity to accessories.
In beauty, it provides a clean
and modern base for minimalist chic statements or to express endless
creativity: in nail art, it can be used as a base for designs enhanced with
cut-outs, hearts, pearls, and glitter; on the eyes, it can serve as eyeshadow or
a subtle highlighter. Alone or in color blocking, it is perfect for creating
styles ranging from dramatic and artistic to minimalistic.
A natural white, free from
artifice, ideal paired with black or as an expression of a clean and ethical
choice, it also makes a statement in packaging: minimalist, modern, and
high-end, reflecting a refined and essential aesthetic that highlights product
quality and brand identity.
