The One Thing Pantone and Anna Wintour Have in Common
Who and What Is Pantone?
According to Wikipedia, Pantone is a limited liability company (LLC) most widely known for its “Pantone Matching System (PMS), a proprietary color space used in a variety of industries, notably graphic design, fashion design, product design, printing…” and many more industries. Since the year 2000, Pantone’s researchers have determined their pick for the Color of The Year. This singular color choice attempts to encapsulate global attitudes and moods and also anticipates upcoming color trends.
Why Does It Matter?
In a similar spirit to their Color of The Year announcement, pantone also releases a seasonal color palette each year. Part research and part directive, their color trend forecast provides insight into the color palette we will encounter as consumers. Essentially, Pantone has become a tastemaker, vastly expanding and commercializing the once license-free ROYGBIV color spectrum.
There is a scene in the Devil Wears Prada that expertly depicts the overarching influence that the invisible hand of marketing has on products that are produced, commercialized, and consumed. When rookie intern Andy (played by Anne Hathaway) unintentionally scoffs at her boss Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) confessing that she doesn’t understand the enthusiasm over a “pile of stuff”, Miranda Priestly educates her naïve intern. She explains in a biting delivery that not even a plebian like Andy is exempt from the fastidious curation of what’s on-trend “by the people in this room from a pile of...stuff”.
Indulge in this brilliant cinematic moment here:
Essentially, Pantone can be seen as a modern-day Miranda Priestly a.k.a Meryl Streep becoming an authority as influential as Vogue's Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour. Pantone's color authority saturates the market with its precedent each year.
Did You Notice the Resurgence of Rose Gold? Thanks Apple.
This reminds me of the time when the iPhone 6s first debuted its rose gold backing in 2013. Torn between the classic silver and the new rose gold option, I opted for the latter fearing I’d later regret not jumping onto the new trend. After a few days, I realized that I had made the wrong decision and promptly returned it to switch to the classic silver option. Nonetheless, Apple spawned a resurgence for the rose gold aesthetic. Even though I’d like to think of myself as Andy who thought she willingly exempted herself from the invisible forces of marketing, I’ve fallen victim to the rose gold trend having developed a strong preference for it.
Color Spotlight: Orange Crush Crushes the Winter 2020 Palette
Unlike the traditional blue hues that mother nature donnes during winter, Fashion Week debuted vibrant colors this year, including lively shades of bold orange. This ‘glow’ diverges from traditional subdued autumnal shades and sparks a defiant vibrancy of “self-confidence and creative self-expression” according to Pantone. Among the collections that colored their runway with this rich orange glow include Jonatha Simkah, Carolina Herrera, and Sies Marjan.
Comment below and let us know what you think of this new color trend! Will you be incorporating it into your wardrobe?