Swatch-books at the ready, global colour authority Pantone has unveiled its official colour of the year for 2014, a hue of purple named Radiant Orchid. Swatch number 18-3224 for the purists, Radiant Orchid spins the colour wheel a complete 180 away from 2013’s pick of Emerald green.
Described as a “modern and versatile shade”, this marks the first purple to take the Pantone top spot since Blue Iris in 2008. Its pinkish undertones, however, recall 2011’s winning Honeysuckle. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Colour Institute, reveals this captivating and enigmatic shade was chosen to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination.
“An enchanting harmony of fushia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm,” she said.
According to Eiseman, Radiant Orchid is an invitation to innovation, to encourage the creativity and originality increasingly valued in today’s society.
As listed in the Pantone Plus Series 2060C, you can most closely achieve the beguiling bloom of Radiant Orchid in CMYK with C=19, M=70, Y=0, K=0; in RGB with R=200, G=107, B=168; and in html, as you can see here, it’s a satisfying B163A3.
An X-Rite owned company, Pantone devotes intense consideration to its selection, combing the world for colour influences. The colour of the year goes on to impact all manner of product development and purchasing decision across many industries, from fashion and home design to product packaging and the graphic arts. Radiant Orchid is already captivating the fashion world, with the Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy Couture and Yoana Baraschi collections all featuring the hue.
Previous year’s chosen colours include:
- PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald (2013)
- PANTONE 17-1463 Tangerine Tango (2012)
- PANTONE 18-2120 Honeysuckle (2011)
- PANTONE 15-5519 Turquoise (2010)
- PANTONE 14-0848 Mimosa (2009)
- PANTONE 18-3943 Blue Iris (2008)
- PANTONE 19-1557 Chili Pepper (2007)
- PANTONE 13-1106 Sand Dollar (2006)
- PANTONE 15-5217 Blue Turquoise (2005)
- PANTONE 17-1456 Tigerlily (2004)
- PANTONE 14-4811 Aqua Sky (2003)
- PANTONE 19-1664 True Red (2002)
- PANTONE 17-2031 Fuchsia Rose (2001)
- PANTONE 15-4020 Cerulean (2000)