Drumroll, Please… Pantone's 2014 Color of the Year Is Radiant Orchid!

Radiant Orchid, an enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink, has been crowned 2014’s Color of the Year by Pantone, the world’s global color authority. Jewelry lovers will have an easy time accessorizing their pinkish-purple fashions in the coming year. Among the gemstones available in the hues of Radiant Orchid are sapphire, amethyst, rhodolite garnet, spinel and tourmaline.

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, 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.

Eiseman told the Associated Press that she expects people will take to it quickly because it’s a flattering color for many skin tones, and because it's something people haven’t seen in a while. Radiant Orchid (officially Pantone 18-3224) looks nice paired against olive and deeper hunter greens, as well as turquoise, teal and light yellows.

While 2013’s top color — Emerald — served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination, according to Eiseman. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society,” she said.

Pantone’s 2014 selection has already found its way onto fashion runways and into the hearts of fashion-conscious celebrities. For instance, Radiant Orchid hues are a favorite of First Lady Michelle Obama.

Pantone’s annual color choice is the result of a year-long distillation of data culled from cultural and fashion trendsetters. The Pantone color experts survey movies in production, fashion runways, traveling exhibitions, new artists, travel hotspots and socio-economic conditions. The result is a color that’s expected to heavily infiltrate the worlds of fashion, beauty, cosmetics, home decor and consumer products in the coming year.


Past Colors of the Year have included the following:

• 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)