Every year since 2000, Pantone has chosen the color of the year, including a vibrant red, an evergreen blue, a warm, gentle brown, as well as a cozy peach, rose quartz, a calm blue, an earthy wine red and a radiant orchid violet. All of these colors are intended to express a mood or attitude. But none have been as controversial as this year’s choice of “Cloud Dancer”. This color is described as “a puffy, balanced white with a feeling of serenity.”
“We live in a time of transition as people seek truth, possibility and a new way of life,” said Laurie Pressman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, in a statement.
“Pantone 11-4201 ‘Cloud Dancer’ is an airy shade of white that embodies our search for balance between our digital future and our primal need for human connection. It is a liminal space that serves as a launching pad for creative expression. Individuals and communities experiment beyond traditional boundaries, opening the door to greater imagination and innovation.”
Pantone adds that the white shade was chosen as a “blank canvas.” It is intended to symbolize the “desire for a new beginning” and at the same time “open the door to new approaches,” as “Cloud Dancer” makes all the colors shine.
“‘Cloud Dancer’ calms the mind and promotes true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe. This creates room for innovation,” explains Pantone. “In a world where color has become synonymous with personal expression, this is a shade that can adapt, harmonize and create contrast. It brings a feeling of airy lightness to all product applications and environments – whether as a standalone statement or in combination with other shades.”
Pantone’s “Cloud Dancer” as color of the year is met with criticism
While Pantone describes the color as “calming” and “relaxing,” the global color authority faces headwinds. Color enthusiasts criticize that white is not a color and is a boring choice. Others have described “Cloud Dancer” as anything from “dystopian” to unrealistic given the current political climate.
“This year’s Color of the Year has come up in many different conversations. We understand that people associate different feelings with its meaning. Color changes depending on context and perspective,” Pressman explained to FashionUnited in a written statement emailed in response to the criticism. “Cloud Dancer is a color of relaxation, reflection and creativity”
“The selection process for the Pantone Color of the Year is based on an understanding of humanity. It draws on close observations and global trend analysis to recognize what is emerging in the design landscape. It takes into account the moods a color can evoke and the experiences it can shape in design. The global Pantone Color Institute team chose this color for its emotional and creative resonance – not as a statement of politics, ideology or race. Pantone does not assign political narratives to colors. Select or assign a color on that basis “Avoiding this would give such narratives a meaning that they do not have in this process,” it continues.
Many voices on the Internet described the color choice as “Pantonedeaf”. The color is accused of evoking white supremacy – given the current political discourse in many countries around the world, where right-wing politics are on the rise and measures for diversity, equality and inclusion have been cut. There was also speculation that the white hue signaled wealth and elitism. Others drew comparisons to American Eagle’s summer ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, which alluded to “good genes.” Critics criticized racist undertones.
“‘Cloud Dancer’ visually represents a space to create – like a blank page, ready to turn your inspiration into reality. It gives us the ability to become receptive to what can be and what lies ahead. Cloud Dancer suggests the inner peace we feel after blocking out the noise around us. As a color, it was chosen for its calming presence, its ability to inspire reflection and its versatility in design. It provides an open foundation for creative explorations with color,” adds Pressman.
“The name of the color is a large part of the selection process. The name Cloud Dancer reflects a universally shared experience: wherever we are in the world, we all look up to the clouds for inspiration and wonder. In the simple act of looking up, we are connected by the floating lightness of the clouds. This universality is a key reason why ‘Cloud Dancer’ was selected as Pantone’s 2026 Color of the Year.”
Is white a color?
“It’s an interesting discussion because we understand that white is not always the first thing that people think of when they hear the word ‘color’. However, it plays an essential role in every color spectrum and especially in design. Every shade carries a psychological message, and white is no exception,” says Pressman on the discussion of white as a color.
“Scientifically, the definition of white shifts depending on the context. In light, as Sir Isaac Newton’s prism experiments showed, white contains all colors – every wavelength combined. In pigments, it is often described as the absence of color, but that is just terminology. For all who perceive color, white is experienced as a presence with real visual impact,” Pressman continues.
“And in design, white must be treated with the same intentionality as any other hue. When color lives in digital and printed environments, spans different materials, and must be translated consistently, white must be specified. Its undertones, how it interacts with surfaces, and how it responds to light, can dramatically change the experience.”
“That’s exactly why we chose ‘Cloud Dancer’. It’s not an optical white – it’s a sublime white, carefully balanced with both warm and cool undertones. This balance gives it exceptional versatility. It can blend with a full range of colors without being too creamy or too bright. ‘Cloud Dancer’ was chosen because it works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a sophisticated neutrality that feels conscious and adaptable,” says Pressman.
How to use “Cloud Dancer” in fashion
When it comes to using “Cloud Dancer” in fashion, Pantone adds that it’s the “perfect anchor for monochromatic styling.” The “subtle white” has a reserved presence. “Cloud Dancer” can function as a “conscious statement of simplification” – whether worn as a classic button-up shirt, T-shirt or jeans, or in activewear and suits.
The white color is also suitable for various processing: from down and foam-filled fabrics to fluffy furs to plush and airy wool fabrics that gently envelop you. Likewise for flowing chiffons and liquid jersey fabrics.
Cloud Dancer’s ability to blend effortlessly with any color also makes it perfect for fashion accessories and shoes. The hue brings a “calm sophistication and comfortable elegance” to ensembles – without over-stimulation.
This article was created using digital tools translated.
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