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

Pantone casts the ethereal PANTONE 11-4201 as a calming reset for a visually noisy culture.

Overview

  • It is the first time the Color of the Year has been a white tone in the program’s history dating to 1999.
  • Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as an airy, warm white that balances cool and warm undertones to avoid the clinical look of optic white.
  • Leatrice Eiseman frames the choice as a soothing cue linked to fresh starts, while Laurie Pressman underscores a selection process grounded in cultural research and evocative naming.
  • Industry coverage expects the tone to serve as a versatile neutral across branding, interiors, product design, and fashion by acting as a breathing backdrop that lets form and content stand out.
  • Early signals include high-profile white looks cited on red carpets—Diana Ross at the Met Gala, Emma Stone in Venice, and Rosalía’s “Lux” promotions—as well as reported collaborations with Joybird, Mandarin Oriental, and Play-Doh to showcase the color.