The year 2024 is set to be defined by the color "Peach Fuzz," according to Pantone's research. This is a bright, fruit-inspired hue that brings a sense of peace and tranquility. Pantone color expert, Leatrice Eisman, explained during a video call with CNN, "We are going through many turbulences in our lives and need a color that nourishes." She added, "It's a warmer, soothing tone. It's very tactile. In times like these, touch is really important – connecting with other people and bringing them into our homes."
Peach has become a staple color on the runways for the Spring/Summer 2024 collections, particularly in Milan. Brands like Gucci, Jil Sander, and Sportmax are leading the way. At the Vanity Fair Oscars afterparty in March, Hillary Duff wore a peach-inspired dress from Dolce & Gabbana. Not long after, Uma Thurman attended the Women Making History Awards and wore a coordinating Gabardine dress from Prada's Fall/Winter 2023 collection.
However, Eisman emphasized that the color selection process is cumulative, and it's not just about focusing on the latest version of peach. For Spring/Summer 2016, Giorgio Armani, known for his gray, released a memorable collection where most pieces were dominated by salmon instead of the typical gray of his designs. The last time we saw Beyoncé at the Met Gala was in 2016, wearing a peach-toned outfit with puff sleeves from Givenchy. Though the latex dress was criticized by the public at the time, it was a pivotal moment for Eisman and the Pantone team. So, how does Beyoncé's red-carpet moment from 2016 relate to the mood of 2024? Eisman said, "We feel like it's still alive today..."
The peach-toned pop culture moment is definitely on the rise. Since then, the color has been seen on some key figures on the red carpet. Florence Pugh wore a Chloé dress for the French premiere of "Little Women" for Spring/Summer 2020, while Zoë Kravitz wore a peach Oscar de la Renta dress at the SAG Awards 2020. The vintage-inspired style of the dress has made headlines.
Eisman explained, "We thought Peach was such an extremely nostalgic color... It's more of a feminine color, but it's been adapted and incorporated into men's wardrobes and environments. I think that speaks to the modernity of the color."
A visual representation of the increasing appreciation of peach in men's fashion can be seen in Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Oscar-night tuxedo jacket at the 2023 Oscar ceremony. The jacket features the perfect "Peach Fuzz" hue and is made of a primarily satin-like fabric. Ideas for modernizing the color palette can be found in Rihanna's peach-colored leather mini-dress she wore during her pregnancy at the Off-White show in Paris 2022.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Pantone Color of the Year program. The color psychology behind the last three selections from Eisman's team is based on endurance, optimism, courage, and strength, reflecting our increasingly turbulent times. However, the capturing of collective emotions even in a chaotic atmosphere and fear is a familiar territory for Pantone.
Interestingly, the first color of the year in 1999 was Cerulean Blue. Eisman noted, "When you think about the future, you feel all these wonderful, hopeful things. But there's also the fear that all the clocks are stuck." She added, "That's our challenge. But for us, it's simple: the color of the sky, the color of the sky, what lies ahead."
If 1999 was about embracing the unknown and reflecting with a sense of contemplation, then Pantone's pick for 2024 is a call for a calming retreat inward. Eisman said, "Next year, we are celebrating a break from the malaise of the last year." She explained, "We had the feeling that we needed some peace, some peace, some peace in the chaos and fear that surrounds us, and that's what Peach Fuzz is for us."
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