Why Mocha Mousse Is Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year

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As a cinema devotee with a keen eye for visual aesthetics and an appreciation for symbolism, I find Pantone’s selection of Mocha Mousse as the 2025 Color of the Year both intriguing and thought-provoking. Having spent countless hours immersed in the rich, layered narratives of films, I can’t help but see a parallel between the evocative nature of this color and the stories we choose to tell on the silver screen.

In a nod to its emotional impact and cozy feel, Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year is none other than Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse.

Leatrice Eiseman, the head of Pantone Color Institute, elegantly compares the hue of mocha mousse to a color symbolizing harmony, as she announces it for the Pantone Color of the Year 2024, a choice made amidst global political upheaval. The Index reveals that there are now 56 ongoing conflicts worldwide, marking the highest number since World War II. Regrettably, peacefulness has declined in 97 countries, with North America experiencing the most significant regional drop, according to the report.

The Pantone Color of the Year initiative was launched with an aim to engage people in discussing how global events are symbolically represented through the universal language of colors, according to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, as stated to TIME. Instead of predicting fashion trends, the selected color mirrors the current global needs and sentiments.

The global team explored different realms to choose a color: they considered emerging technologies, societal norms, art pieces, popular travel spots, and the general emotions designers and consumers experienced during the year. As Pressman put it, “We home in on a color family that seems to be gaining popularity across various design sectors, then refine it further to select the specific color.” He likened this process to the work of color anthropologists.

The Mocha Mousse dessert follows this year’s trend from last year’s Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, symbolizing a desire for warmth and tranquility in its hue.

Besides the specific color itself, the name given to the shade significantly contributes to the emotion Pantone aims to evoke. For instance, “Mocha Mousse,” which conjures up an image of a light, whipped dessert, perfectly encapsulates the “warm and rich” brown hue that people often associate with comfort in their dreams.

Pressman stated that colors, including browns, are extensions of neutral shades that are both genderless and practical. She described these colors as foundational and versatile, emphasizing their honesty, authenticity, and connection to nature. Essentially, she believes in the naturalness and reality of these colors.

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2024-12-05 18:06