In a suprising move for the colour giant, Pantone has moved away from it’s traditional vibrant hues to an uncommon selection for 2026 Colour of the Year: PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer.

Cloud Dancer is a serene white, bringing peacefulness to the foreground, a gentle reminder of space and structure.  Pantone has described it as a “calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection,” a break away from the busy-ness of day to day existence. Like a deep breath before a sentence, Cloud Dancer evokes realm of possibility and imagination

What is passion? Stillness and calm support deep emotion. The harmony of subtle colour against a gentle support evokes a fresh page, a blank sheet. Cloud Dancer is space and neutrality. When we look at tones in white, do we start looking at nuance, subtle differences, the sparsity of shadow?

White sure does appear in fashion and interiors  profusely, and I’m  curious to know whether this trend will appear further in 2026.

Pantone has been tracking colour in culture since 1999, looking at trending influences in fashion, art, design and society. In a world of conflict and political turmoil, white is a surprising choice. This is the first time that Pantone have chosen a white.

However, reactions are not without their  critiques. Commentary has reflected on recent moves by the Trump administration to cut back on diversity programs. Have Pantone got their finger on the pulse?

What do you think of this move by Pantone?