You know that famous question about which five people you would invite to a dinner party? On my list is Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. In my opinion, she has the coolest job on the planet. I did have the good fortune to interview her a few years ago, so I guess she would understand it if I had to bump her from my imaginary dinner party guest list to make room for someone like Michelle Obama or The Rock.
Living Coral is Pantone's Color of the Year for 2019
It was just announced that the color Living Coral is the color of the year for 2019. I'm not always a fan of the shades that get picked (I'm looking at you Serenity and Rose Quartz), but Living Coral? Um, yes please. Living Coral is a shade that I am naturally drawn to. I look at the color and I immediately feel full of glee and playfulness, as if, for a second, I am allowed to be a child again.
Pantone doesn't just throw a dart against a wall when they choose a color of the year. I would love to be a fly on the wall so I could watch the process go down. Wouldn't that be an amazing documentary, watching how Pantone chooses its standout color each year?
What I always find the most interesting about the reason why Pantone chooses the color that they do is it always seems to nail we are as a society and what we most in need of in the future. As described on Pantone's site:
"Living Coral embraces us with warmth and nourishment to provide comfort and buoyancy in our continually shifting environment."Doesn't everyone need comfort and buoyancy right now? They continue on saying:
"In reaction to the onslaught of digital technology and social media increasingly embedding into daily life, we are seeking authentic and immersive experiences that enable connection and intimacy. Sociable and spirited, the engaging nature of PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral welcomes and encourages lighthearted activity. Symbolizing our innate need for optimism and joyful pursuits, PANTONE 16-1546 Living Coral embodies our desire for playful expression. Representing the fusion of modern life, PANTONE Living Coral is a nurturing color that appears in our natural surroundings and at the same time, displays a lively presence within social media."Oh Pantone, you get me, you really get me.
Shop for Living Coral
With the announcement of Living Coral as the color of the year for 2019, fashion hasn't really had the opportunity to react and stock their stores with a lot of the color. Plus, I definitely think people will consider it more of a spring color than a dead-of-winter shade, so I will save the outfit ideas and more for a little later in 2019. For now, I was able to scan the stores to see what shoppers could get their hands on in Living Coral. Turns out, there is a reasonable amount to be found, much of it on sale from last year, but it comes darn close in tone. Even on sale, these items it will still be relevant for next year, so take a look at my findings and let me know what you think about Living Coral as the color of the year for 2019!