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Pantone Names ‘Cloud Dancer’ Its 2026 Color of the Year as Online Reaction Divides

Pantone frames the soft white as a calming neutral chosen through global trend analysis.

Overview

  • Cloud Dancer, identified as PANTONE 11-4201, is described as a gentle, milky white intended to convey ease, clarity and quiet reflection.
  • Laurie Pressman of the Pantone Color Institute says the shade signals a fresh start and functions like a blank canvas for creativity.
  • Social media responses are split, with some users reading racial or political undertones into selecting a white hue while others call that view a reach.
  • Pantone says color meanings vary by context and emphasizes the pick is about relaxation and creativity, with the selection process kept largely confidential and grounded in cultural observation.
  • Design guidance highlights its versatility in interiors when layered with texture and rounded forms, and coverage points to broad product use across categories from tech accessories to home goods.