The design world holds its breath for Pantone’s grand reveal of the Colour of the Year every year. It’s not just a hue; it’s a mood, a message, and often, a sneak peek into the creative currents shaping our lives. Colour isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s deeply personal, emotional, and cultural. It can transform a space, set the tone for a moment, or even define an entire era. Think of the soothing blues of Classic Blue in 2020 or the bold optimism of Viva Magenta in 2023. Each choice reflects a carefully curated insight into global trends, moods, and aspirations.
This year’s announcement feels like a warm embrace: Mocha-Mousse 17-1230. Picture a rich, earthy tone that’s equal parts comforting and sophisticated. It’s a shade that invites us to slow down, reconnect, and indulge in life’s tactile, grounded pleasures. From interiors to fashion runways, digital design to personal branding, Mocha-Mousse promises to weave seamlessly into every facet of our lives.
But what exactly makes a Colour of the Year so impactful? And why is Mocha-Mousse poised to take centre stage in 2025? Let’s dive into the vibrant world of the Pantone Colour Institute and uncover the fascinating story behind this year’s choice.
The Pantone Color Institute: Expertise, precision and passion.
In the vibrant design world, colour is a universal language, conveying emotions, setting moods, and influencing perceptions. The Pantone Color Institute, a global authority on colour standardization and communication, is at the heart of this chromatic dialogue. Established in 1963, Pantone revolutionized the design industry by introducing the Pantone Matching System (PMS), a standardized colour reproduction system that ensures consistency across various materials and industries.
Who is Pantone?
Pantone LLC, headquartered in Carlstadt, New Jersey, began as a commercial printing company in the 1950s. Recognizing the challenges of colour inconsistency in printing, Pantone’s founder, Lawrence Herbert, developed the PMS to provide designers and printers with precise language for colour communication. This system assigns unique codes to over a thousand colours, enabling accurate reproduction across different platforms and materials.
The Pantone Color Institute
Beyond standardization, the Pantone Color Institute functions as Pantone’s trend forecasting and colour consultancy division. Comprising a global team of colour experts, the Institute analyzes cultural, social, and technological trends to understand how they influence colour preferences—their insights guide industries ranging from fashion and interior design to product packaging and digital media.
The Color of the Year Selection Process
Each year, the Pantone Color Institute announces a “Color of the Year,” a hue that encapsulates the global zeitgeist and influences design trends across various sectors. The selection process is meticulous and involves:
• Trend Analysis: The team examines emerging trends in art, entertainment, fashion, travel, and socio-economic conditions. They consider how new technologies, materials, and textures impact colour.
• Global Perspectives: Insights are gathered from a worldwide network of colour experts, including those in design, architecture, and cultural studies.
• Emotional Resonance: The chosen colour reflects the collective mood and aspirations, aiming to resonate psychologically and emotionally.
For instance, in 2020, Pantone selected “Classic Blue,” a calming shade that offered reassurance during global uncertainty. In 2023, “Viva Magenta,” a vibrant hue, symbolized strength and optimism.
Naming and Numbering Colors
Pantone’s colour identification system combines numbers and suffixes to denote specific shades and their intended applications:
• Numbers: Colors are assigned unique three- or four-digit numbers. For example, “Mocha-Mousse” is designated as 17-1230.
• Suffixes: Letters indicate the type of material or finish:
• C: Coated paper, offering a glossy finish.
• U: Uncoated paper, providing a matte appearance.
• M: Matte finish.
This system ensures that designers and manufacturers can accurately reproduce colours across different mediums, maintaining visual consistency.
Impact Across Industries
The influence of Pantone’s Color of the Year extends across multiple sectors:
• Fashion: Designers incorporate the selected colour into their collections, setting seasonal trends.
• Interior Design: The colour guides choices in paint, furnishings, and décor, shaping the ambience of spaces.
• Graphic Design: Brands utilize colour in marketing materials to align with contemporary aesthetics.
Pantone fosters cohesion across diverse design disciplines by providing a unifying colour direction, ensuring that the chosen hue permeates various aspects of daily life.
The Pantone Color Institute is a beacon in the design world, illuminating the path for colour trends and ensuring harmony in visual communication. Their annual Color of the Year selection reflects the current global mood and influences the creative decisions that shape our environment.
The 2025 Colour of the Year – Mocha-Mousse 17-1230
Every Pantone Colour of the Year tells a story, and for 2025, Mocha-Mousse 17-1230 takes centre stage as a shade of grounding, indulgence, and understated elegance. This warm, earthy tone exudes a sense of timeless sophistication while connecting deeply to our human need for comfort and stability. As we step into a year of balance between innovation and introspection, Mocha-Mousse offers a palette that speaks to our digital and tactile worlds.
Why Mocha-Mousse?
Pantone’s choice reflects the growing emphasis on reconnection—with ourselves, others, and the environment. The global conversation about mental wellness, sustainability, and slowing down has influenced every sector, from fashion to technology. Mocha-Mousse emerges as a response to these themes, offering a versatile and deeply resonant hue.
The Meaning Behind the Shade
Mocha-Mousse is a rich, velvety blend of brown and taupe with subtle undertones of caramel. It embodies warmth and indulgence, reminiscent of a steaming cup of coffee or the soothing tones of natural wood. The color invokes a sense of stability and coziness, making it ideal for spaces and designs meant to evoke calmness and security.
“Underpinned by our desire for every day pleasures, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence. Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe.”
Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director Pantone Color Institute
Mocha-Mousse Across Industries
1. Interior Design:
Mocha-Mousse is perfect for creating modern and welcoming spaces. Imagine plush sofas in Mocha-Mousse paired with brass accents or accent walls that ground airy, neutral-toned living spaces. Designers are already embracing earthy tones to foster nurturing and stimulating environments.
2. Fashion:
In fashion, this colour will dominate collections as a neutral that complements bold patterns or acts as a standalone statement. Expect Mocha-Mousse in tailored coats, cosy knitwear, and accessories like boots and handbags, offering elegance and practicality.
3. Beauty:
Cosmetics brands will likely incorporate Mocha-Mousse into their palettes, from creamy eyeshadows to lipsticks that flatter a wide range of skin tones. It’s a shade that radiates natural beauty, aligning with the ongoing trend of minimalism in makeup.
4. Digital and Branding:
As brands seek to balance sleek modernity with a human touch, Mocha-Mousse is poised to be the go-to colour for digital interfaces, websites, and packaging. Its warm undertone softens sharp edges, creating a sense of trust and reliability—qualities consumers crave in an ever-changing world.
The Trends Behind the Choice
Pantone’s selection of Mocha-Mousse ties into macro trends such as:
• Biophilic Design: A continued focus on bringing nature indoors through earthy hues and natural materials.
• Comfort Culture: The prioritization of spaces, products, and aesthetics that make us feel safe and at ease.
• Neutral Evolution: A shift from cold, stark neutrals to warmer, more inviting tones that embrace diversity and inclusivity.
Versatility is Key
What makes Mocha-Mousse stand out is its adaptability. It pairs effortlessly with various colours—soft pastels for a romantic touch, deep jewel tones for richness, or vibrant oranges and reds for a bold statement. Whether refreshing your wardrobe or designing a living room, Mocha-Mousse offers endless possibilities.
As we enter 2025, Mocha-Mousse isn’t just a colour; it’s a reflection of the world we’re shaping—grounded, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the beauty of life’s simple pleasures.
To Conclude,
Colour is more than just visual—it’s a universal language that speaks directly to our emotions, memories, and aspirations. Pantone’s annual choice of a Colour of the Year mirrors our times, capturing the cultural, emotional, and creative zeitgeist. In 2025, Mocha-Mousse 17-1230 does just that, offering a warm, grounding hue that feels both timeless and forward-thinking.
As we navigate a world increasingly defined by change, this rich shade invites us to pause and reconnect—with nature, others, and ourselves. Its versatility makes it a staple across industries, from fashion to interiors to digital branding, effortlessly bridging the gap between modernity and tradition.
In the words of Henri Matisse, “Colour helps to express light, not the physical phenomenon, but the only light that exists, that in the artist’s brain.” Mocha-Mousse embodies this sentiment—it’s not just a colour but an expression of our collective need for balance, stability, and beauty.
As 2025 unfolds, Mocha-Mousse will inspire designers, creators, and individuals alike to embrace its warm, welcoming energy, proving once again that colour can shape trends and how we experience the world.
José Amorim
The author sourced the information for luxuryactivist.com. All content is copyrighted, and reproduction rights are not available. Images are for illustration purposes only. Featured image is property of PANTONE.
