Pantone’s Color of the Year Is Peach Fuzz

Pantone Color Institute, the global authority on color trends, has crowned the year 2024 as the year of “Peach Fuzz.” The esteemed institute, known for its influential color choices, has chosen a unique shade to symbolize our collective need for compassion and human connection in the coming year.

Describing this chosen hue as a gentle, warm, and cozy orange-pink, Pantone points to its subtle sensuality and heartfelt nature. “Peach Fuzz,” a velvety peach tone, is more than just a color; it represents our shared desire to care for ourselves and others. It embodies an all-encompassing spirit that enriches the mind, body, and soul.

Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of Pantone, explained the thoughtful selection, stating, “In seeking a hue that echoes our innate yearning for closeness and connection, we chose a color radiant with warmth and modern elegance. [It is] a shade that resonates with compassion, offers a tactile embrace, and effortlessly bridges the youthful with the timeless.”

Hence, as we step into the year ahead, let “Peach Fuzz” guide us with its comforting and embracing presence, fostering a sense of togetherness and understanding in our lives.

Defining color for the upcoming year

When Pantone decides on the color that will define the upcoming year, it goes beyond just picking a shade. It is a meticulous process that involves studying emerging trends across various industries.

Experts delve deep into entertainment, films in the making, new artists, fashion, and all facets of design, including aspirational travel spots, evolving lifestyles, and socio-economic conditions among other things.

“Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, and effects that impact color, relevant social media platforms, and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention,” the company explained.

These carefully considered factors contribute to the selection of Pantone’s color of the year. The choice extends its influence to product development and consumer decisions in fashion, industrial and interior design, and product packaging for instance

Recent color trends

In recent years, Pantone highlighted Viva Magenta for 2023 and Very Peri for 2022, showcasing the ongoing impact of color trends on various aspects of our daily lives and the industries that shape our world.

According to the company, the new orange-pink hue brings comfort, calmness, and beauty to our digital world. It is modern but with a nod to the past as well.

Old world charm with a touch of a modern hue, that’s the appeal of motorola edge 40 neo and razr 40 ultra in the @pantone Color of the Year 2024, Peach Fuzz.#coloroftheyear #peachfuzz #COY24 pic.twitter.com/OWlUOcCXgt

— motorola (@Moto) December 11, 2023

“At a time of turmoil in many aspects of our lives, our need for nurturing, empathy and compassion grows ever stronger as [do] our imaginings of a more peaceful future,” said Laurie Pressman, the company’s vice president. “We are reminded that a vital part of living a full life is having the good health, stamina, and strength to enjoy it.”

Pressman added that the world required a color “whose gentle lightness and airy presence lifts us into the future.”

Reaction to “Peach Fuzz,” Pantone’s color of choice for 2024

The reaction to the color choice was quite varied on social media. Many users agreed, describing it as beautiful and refreshing. Conversely, some criticized the color, calling it boring, out-of-touch, and unflattering.

A common sentiment among critics was that the peach hue seemed overly familiar, reminiscent of an overplayed vintage tone.

Interestingly, a notable portion of the online community anticipated, and even hoped for, a year dominated by green. “At least it coordinates with a deep green or a steely green, but it feels like the people needed the hope, regrowth, and steadfastness that come with a green year,” commented one user.