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Pantone Picks 'Cloud Dancer' as 2026 Color of the Year, Its First White Hue

The institute casts the soft white as a calming reset for a tech‑saturated culture.

Overview

  • Pantone 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is described as a billowy, balanced white symbolizing serenity, clarity and new beginnings.
  • Leatrice Eiseman and Laurie Pressman say the selection reflects a move toward simplicity and a healthier balance between digital life and human connection.
  • Pantone is launching an artist initiative beginning with illustrator Emiliano Ponzi, who is releasing a limited‑edition tote interpreting the shade.
  • Announced brand collaborations feature Cloud Dancer in products and experiences from Motorola, Play‑Doh, Post‑it, Joybird, Pura and Mandarin Oriental.
  • Response is divided, with some praising versatility and others calling the pick uninspired or tone‑deaf, as Pantone emphasizes the choice is an aesthetic forecast.