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Pantone Defends First-Ever White Pick ‘Cloud Dancer’ as 2026 Color of the Year

The company says the off-white was chosen for emotional and creative resonance, not as a political statement.

Overview

  • Pantone named Cloud Dancer (PANTONE 11-4201), a soft off‑white described as calming and a blank canvas for creativity.
  • The choice is the first time a white hue has been selected since the Color of the Year program began in 1999.
  • Criticism from designers, media and social users cast the pick as tone-deaf or politically loaded, while other industry voices defended its versatility and contemplative quality.
  • In a formal statement, Pantone said it does not assign political narratives to color and based the selection on global trend analysis and emotional resonance.
  • Partner collaborations will roll out products in the shade, including from Motorola, Play‑Doh, Post‑it, Joybird, Command, Pura and Mandarin Oriental.