The color institutes WGSN and Coloro have presented the trend colors for autumn/winter 2025/2026. “Acceleration” is the overarching theme for color forecasting, the two institutions said in a press release issued earlier this month.
“As the climate crisis brings chaos and eerie portents of doom (orange skies, green oceans), we will experience both positive and negative changes. Urgency, restoration and reassurance will be necessary in this new reality, and this is reflected in the Color palette for autumn/winter 25/26,” it says.
The key colors for the FW 25/26 season are Celestial Yellow, Cherry Lacquer, Retro Blue, Neon Flare and Future Dusk. For inspiration, here are some catwalk looks for each trend color.
Celestial Yellow- 048-90-17
The bright, pale shade of yellow “Celestial Yellow” is described by trend researchers as “a radiant, multi-sensory color that has both a restful and surreal effect.”
The trend color yellow evokes associations with natural celestial bodies such as the moon, stars and sun and symbolizes the human search for reassurance, orientation and a sense of belonging,” write WGSN and Coloro in the press release. “In times of uncertainty, people turn spiritual and cosmic considerations such as spirituality, astrology and astronomy in order to find meaning and orientation.”
Pale yellow hues were used in the Spring/Summer 2024 collections of Lie, Pedro Del Hierro, Versace and Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini.
Cherry Lacquer- 159-23-15
Like Future Dusk, the color of the year 2025, Cherry Lacquer is a dark, mysterious color with a luxurious look, write the color institutes. While Future Dusk falls on the spectrum between blue and purple, this is a mix of black and red. It is best described as a deep red shade, somewhere between burgundy and cherry red.
According to the institutes, Cherry Lacquer fits the feelings of anger and insecurity that many people are feeling right now. The color symbolizes resistance and rebellion, which means that it is associated with the desire to violate existing rules and expectations.
At the same time, there is also something seductive about this deep red color, something that attracts people and appeals to their deepest desires and forbidden pleasures. This means it can provide a feeling of exhilarating escape and empowerment.
On the runway, we saw similar hues in dreamy haute couture dresses from Zuhair Murad. Gucci, Versace, Prada and Bottega Veneta show how the color can be used in ready-to-wear clothing. According to designers and fashion houses, the color is particularly suitable for garments made of (patented) leather.
Retro Blue- 100-64-14
Retro Blue conveys a feeling of warmth and joy. The “analog” color is reminiscent of the past. The idea is that in times of uncertainty, people often find comfort and security in things that are familiar and give them a sense of stability and security. So Retro Blue plays with nostalgia. According to WGSN and Coloro, the color may have particular appeal to Generation Z.
On the catwalk, the color was used by Emporio Armani, Irensense and Zuhair Murad.
Neon Flare- 014-68-51
This intense, bright neon color relates to the zeitgeist of increasing concern about climate change and its impact on the planet, according to WGSN and Coloro. “This artificial intelligence (AI)-based color has a stimulating and activating effect, stoking a sense of collective urgency to find solutions to complex problems.”
We see the coral color in designs by Viktor & Rolf, Valentino, Imane Ayissi, Sergio Hudson, Mark Fast and Pedro Del Hierro, among others.
Future Dusk- 129-35-18
WGSN and Coloro believe that this will be the time of renewal and change, where there will be opportunities to find new solutions to the world’s “economic and environmental” problems. “Future Dusk represents the combination of darkness and hope, suggesting that despite the challenges that lie ahead, there is always room for imagination and optimism for the future,” it said. The blue-purple hue also has a celestial and futuristic tone Character, according to the institutes.
Future Dusk and similar shades can be seen on the catwalk in a variety of creations: casual outfits from Lemaire to sexy evening dresses from Tom Ford and Laquan Smith.
When predicting color trends, experts predict which colors will be popular in the future based on social movements, consumer preferences and cultural influences, and other factors. Companies like WGSN and Coloro announce trend colors and colors of the year to help designers, manufacturers and retailers align their products and marketing strategies with new trends. This also helps establish their name as an authority.
Read here: The role of color in fashion
This translated article previously appeared on FashionUnited.nl