Source: AkzoNobel. From left: Farhan Akhtar, Dulux Brand Ambassador; Rajiv Rajgopal, Director of Decorative Paints, AkzoNobel South Asia Cluster; Jeremy Rowe, Managing Director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, South East & South Asia, Middle East; and Shraddha Kapoor, Dulux Brand Ambassador, revealed Denim Drift as the Colour of the Year for 2017.

AkzoNobel, a global paints and coatings company, specialty chemicals producer, and the manufacturer of Dulux paints in India, has announced Denim Drift as the Colour of the Year for 2017.

This announcement is part of the 14th edition of AkzoNobel’s yearly global study, ColourFutures. Farhan Akhtar and Shraddha Kapoor, brand ambassadors for Dulux in India, introduced Denim Drift and its guiding trend, Life in a New Light.

Annually, AkzoNobel’s colour specialists, international trend analysts, and design experts from various disciplines convene at the company’s Global Aesthetic Center. Their mission is to research and pinpoint the societal and design trends expected to influence consumer choices related to colour and interior design in the coming year. This year’s overarching theme encourages consumers to embrace a fresh perspective on the simple joys of life.

“As the world evolves, people are reevaluating life’s essential elements: family, friends, work, our connection to nature, and the enjoyment of experiences. It’s fitting that Life in a New Light is the driving force for 2017, reflected in all our colour trends for the year,” said Jeremy Rowe, Managing Director of AkzoNobel Decorative Paints, South East & South Asia, Middle East.

“Blue embodies life - everyday life,” he added. “It’s also a colour that promotes calmness and tranquility. Denim Drift aptly represents this trend, as its hue subtly shifts from a clear indigo blue to a lighter blue-grey we call Smoke Grey in our colour catalogues.”

Rajiv Rajgopal, Director of Decorative Paints, AkzoNobel South Asia Cluster, stated, “Through its range of innovative, best-in-class interior and exterior paint products, Dulux has consistently provided Indian consumers with essential colours. Denim Drift will be integrated into the Dulux range of interior and exterior paints, allowing consumers to seamlessly incorporate it into their lives in 2017. The Colour of the Year 2017, along with its complementary colour scheme encompassing various blues and tones, offers an incredibly versatile palette easily adaptable for architectural and interior design purposes.”

“Denim Drift, the Colour of the Year 2017, is a fundamental element of our daily colour palette,” commented Farhan Akhtar, Dulux Brand Ambassador. “When combined with rich shades, it can invigorate your walls and radiate energy. With lighter tones, it introduces a cool, serene, and spacious ambiance.”

“Denim Drift is the must-have colour of 2017,” remarked Shraddha Kapoor, Dulux Brand Ambassador. “Its adaptability to all aspects of life and interior styles makes it an ideal choice for capturing the 2017 mood. The colour trend research team accurately observed that blue reflects life’s everyday experiences - familiar yet fresh.”

Source: Pantone. Niagara.

The selection of Denim Drift aligns with Pantone’s choice of Niagara, a denim blue hue, as a prominent colour for spring 2017. It’s worth noting that Pantone’s 2017 colour of the year is actually green. Unveiled on December 8, PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery was declared the PANTONE Color of the Year for 2017. This yellow-green shade evokes early spring when nature’s greenery resurges, bringing revitalization and renewal, according to Pantone.

“While Serenity and Rose Quartz, the PANTONE Color of the Year for 2016, represented the need for balance in a turbulent world,” shared Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, “Greenery emerges in 2017 to provide a sense of hope that we collectively crave in the face of complex social and political circumstances. Reflecting our growing desire for rejuvenation, revitalization, and unity, Greenery symbolizes our longing for reconnection—with nature, with each other, and with a greater purpose.”

Source: Pantone. Greenery.

Pantone suggests that the widespread adoption of Greenery highlights an intrinsic human need to immerse oneself in the beauty and inherent harmony of the natural world. The company observes that this colour is becoming increasingly popular in urban planning, architecture, lifestyle choices, and design globally. They view Greenery as symbolic of the pursuit of personal passions and a vibrant life.

“The tangy yellow-green reflects our desire for self-expression, exploration, experimentation, and reinvention, creating a sense of optimism," Eiseman elaborated. “Through its reassuring yet assertive vibrancy, Greenery empowers us with self-assurance and the courage to live life on our terms. It resonates with a time when we are redefining success and happiness."

To bring the spirit of reconnection, exploration, and belonging to life, Pantone has partnered with Airbnb, a community marketplace offering access to distinctive accommodations and global experiences. Together, they aim to showcase Greenery through a unique experience in early 2017. This first-time collaboration draws inspiration from Pantone’s vision for Greenery and Airbnb’s ability to connect travelers with extraordinary experiences.

Areas where Greenery prevails:

Innovation Although frequently associated with environmentalism and nature, Greenery also represents a unifying element in technology and innovation due to its connection with boldness, energy, and modernity, as per Pantone. Many emerging apps, animation iconography, and digitally-focused startups incorporate this vibrant and attention-grabbing shade of green into their logos to express this energy. By conveying a sense of progress and a pioneering spirit, Greenery reflects an entrepreneurial essence that resonates with the industries that have embraced it.

Fashion This hue complements a wide array of colour palettes. It adds a touch of vibrancy to accessories and footwear or serves as a bold statement in patterns. Prominent in both men’s and women’s fashion, as seen in recent collections by Kenzo, Michael Kors, Zac Posen, and Cynthia Rowley, Greenery has also been incorporated into various solid colours and prints in children’s wear.

Home décor and architecture
Introducing Greenery indoors through living walls, terrariums, botanical-themed wallpaper, paint, accent furniture, and décor provides a sense of tranquility and open space. This creates an illusion of being surrounded by nature.

Pantone suggests that, much like the plant life it embodies, this colour can enhance self-esteem, alleviate anxiety, and heighten awareness of one’s environment.

Beauty Greenery is utilized as a stylish and confident pop of colour for hair, lips, eyes, and nails. Its colour-correcting properties also make it a suitable base for natural beauty looks. As a complementary colour to red shades, Greenery minimizes redness in the skin.

Food and beverage Greenery features prominently in current health food trends, including matcha, seaweed, and avocado. The rise of urban agriculture and indoor vertical farms brings the essence of Greenery to unexpected settings. In table settings, Greenery plates and chargers act as an appetizing background for food, enhancing its visual appeal and giving it a fresher appearance. Pantone notes that Greenery is also frequently used in hospitality and culinary industry designs to convey a sense of organic healthfulness.

Graphic design Due to the colour green’s prevalence in nature, it is inherently perceived as healthy and organic. People respond to this hue instinctively, making the captivating Greenery an ideal choice for various graphic design applications. This is particularly relevant for packaging, where the presence of Greenery instantly conveys a message of freshness.

Selecting the Color of the Year is a meticulous process that demands thoughtful consideration and thorough trend analysis. To determine the selection annually, Pantone’s colour experts at the Pantone Color Institute conduct a global search for new colour influences. These influences can originate from diverse sources, including the entertainment industry, films in production, traveling art exhibitions, emerging artists, fashion, all design disciplines, popular travel destinations, evolving lifestyles, playstyles, socioeconomic conditions, emerging technologies, innovative materials, textures, and effects that impact colour, influential social media platforms, and even upcoming global sporting events.

Over the past 17 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions across numerous sectors, such as fashion, home furnishings, industrial design, product packaging, and graphic design.

Previous Color of the Year selections include:

• PANTONE 15-3919 Serenity and PANTONE 13-1520 Rose Quartz (2016) – a combination of pink and vibrant blue
• PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala (2015) – a deep red
• PANTONE 18-3224 Radiant Orchid (2014) – a reddish-purple
• PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013) – a shade of green
• PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012) – a reddish-orange
• PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011) – a reddish-pink
• PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)
• PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009) – an orangey-yellow
• PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008) – a purplish-blue
• PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007) – a classic red
• PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006) – a light beige
• PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005) – a teal
• PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004) – a reddish-orange
• PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003) – a light teal
• PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002)
• PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001) – a bright pink
• PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000) – a faded blue

In September, Pantone released the PANTONE Fashion Color Report Spring 2017 edition, featuring Greenery among its top selections. The PANTONE Fashion Color Report, a biannual publication for the fashion industry, is curated by colour experts at the Pantone Color Institute and highlights the top 10 trending colours in fashion.

“One of the notable trends we observed this year was a renewed sense of imagination in how colour was being used in unconventional contexts,” noted Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute.

Source: Pantone. Primrose yellow.

“Drawing inspiration from the hues found in nature, our Spring 2017 Fashion Color Report evokes a spectrum of emotions and feelings. From the warmth of sunny days with PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow to the invigorating sensation of fresh mountain air with PANTONE 18-0107 Kale to the allure of escaping to pristine waters with PANTONE 14-4620 Island Paradise, designers have skillfully utilized colour in playful yet thoughtful and precise combinations to fully embody the promise, hope, and transformation we long for each spring."

The top colours for spring 2017 fashion are:

• PANTONE 17-4123 Niagara
  As the most dominant colour in the PANTONE Fashion Color Report for spring 2017, Niagara embodies our longing for comfort and relaxation with its classic denim-like blue hue.

• PANTONE 13-0755 Primrose Yellow
  Exuding warmth and vitality, Primrose Yellow evokes a destination brimming with enthusiasm, joy, and sunny days.

Source: Pantone. Lapis blue.

• PANTONE 19-4045 Lapis Blue
  Lapis Blue radiates energy. This intense and confident blue shade possesses an inner radiance.

• PANTONE 17-1462 Flame
  Flame, a red-based orange, is a sociable and cheerful hue. This vibrant and theatrical orange infuses the spring 2017 palette with fiery warmth.

Source: Pantone. Island Paradise.

• PANTONE 14-4620 Island Paradise
  Island Paradise, a blue-green shade, embodies our yearning for escape.

• PANTONE 13-1404 Pale Dogwood
  Pale Dogwood evokes feelings of innocence and purity. This subtle pink hue imparts a healthy glow.

• PANTONE 15-0343 Greenery
  Representing our desire to explore, experiment, and reinvent, Greenery is a tangy yellow-green that inspires us to breathe deeply, rejuvenate, and feel revitalized. Its connection to flourishing foliage is evident.

Source: Pantone. Pink yarrow.

• PANTONE 17-2034 Pink Yarrow
  Tropical and vibrant, Pink Yarrow is a playful, attention-grabbing hue that tempts and entices. This bold colour uplifts spirits and stimulates excitement.

• PANTONE 18-0107 Kale
  Similar to the more lively Greenery, Kale, another foliage-inspired green, evokes a desire to connect with nature. This natural green shade offers a complementary backdrop for the palette’s brighter tones.

• PANTONE 14-1315 Hazelnut
  Hazelnut, a key neutral for spring, rounds out the spring 2017 colour selections. This shade evokes a sense of natural earthiness. Unpretentious and inherently warm, Hazelnut is a transitional colour bridging different seasons.

Source: Pantone. Hazelnut.

The colours showcased in the PANTONE Fashion Color Report and the Color of the Year selection are derived from the PANTONE Fashion, Home + Interiors Color System, a globally recognized colour standard system used in fashion, textiles, home décor, and interior design. To develop the report, Pantone analyzed colour selections from fashion designers’ collections showcased at New York Fashion Week and other international fashion events. This process involved gathering data on prominent collection colours and evaluating overarching colour trends. Serving as a valuable resource for fashion enthusiasts, journalists, and retailers, the PANTONE Fashion Color Report provides insights into colour trends throughout the season.

Note: In 2015, Pantone deviated from its traditional practice of choosing a single Color of the Year by introducing two colours.