Pantone Colour of the Year: 2019.

‘A symbol of optimism’.

PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral emits the desired, familiar, and energizing aspects of color found in nature. In its glorious, yet unfortunately more elusive, display beneath the sea, this vivifying and effervescent color mesmerizes the eye and mind. Lying at the center of our naturally vivid and chromatic ecosystem, PANTONE Living Coral is evocative of how coral reefs provide shelter to a diverse kaleidoscope of color. - Pantone

Pantone have been doing 'Colour of the Year' for 11 years! It's always interesting to see what each colour will be because for my full-time job role (fashion design), trend forecasting plays a very important part.

This year it's coral. Very surprised. Coral is a funny colour, for so many reasons. In my 11 years in the industry, whenever we want to do something in 'coral' it's very often frowned upon. 'Coral never sells' , 'Ew, coral' ... it's always been THAT colour people are never sure of and I think enduring years of this, has also made me feel pessimistic towards it. Don't get me wrong, I really actually love the colour but in regards to its association in my professional career, it's always been one of the worst selling colours.

I remember the times where we ('we' meaning whichever company I am at) would do some coral pieces and they never sold. Then another year would go past, and we would try it again 'just in case'.., same situation. Have you ever worn coral? I have definitely bought it but would never reach for it. There is just too much baggage that comes with it! Ironically, Pantone describes 'Living Coral' as a symbol of optimism. Maybe this is the year people open their eyes to this weird and wonderful colour. 

This colour did also remind me of the gorgeous collection by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012 and Frida Gustavsson in Tim Walker’s 'Jewel in the Crown' shot for Vogue US May 2012.

Runway images courtesy of Vogue.com