According to Pantone, a subsidiary of X-Rite, the global leader in colour science and technology, most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of emerald is sophisticated and luxurious, since antiquity, this luminous, magnificent hue has been the colour of beauty and new life in many cultures and religions.
“This powerful and universally-appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
The emerald vivid and verdant green succeeds to Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango, the 2012 colour of the year, a spirited reddish orange.
Emerald for fashion
“The prevalence of green has been steadily rising for several seasons now, especially in the fashion and couture markets, and even on the Red Carpet,” Pantone observes. Emerald’s classic elegance makes for striking and irresistible women’s formal, everyday wear and accessories.
Emerald also makes a strong statement in men’s sportswear, knitwear and ties. Fashion designers featured in the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2013, including Tracy Reese, Nanette Lepore, Barbara Tfank, NAHM and Marimekko, are incorporating Emerald into their spring collections. “Balanced, yet sophisticated, Emerald enlivens all colors in the spectrum and will continue to make a statement beyond spring and summer into fall and winter.”
Emerald for beauty
On the cosmetic colour wheel, Emerald dramatizes all eye colours. It is compatible to blue eyes, emphasizes the green undertone in hazel eyes and intensifies brown eyes to make them appear deeper.
“Emerald is also a perfect complement to peaches, pinks, roses, ruby reds and aubergines – offering a variety of lipstick and blush options. For those who want to sparkle and stand out, Emerald is the perfect punctuation point in nail color because of its complementary nature,” Pantone highlights.
Emerald for home design
Whether in paints or accessories, the emerald touch of wellbeing and luxury will spread to entryways, powder rooms, dining rooms or studies. It will also extend to bedding, pillows, bath towels, accessories, kitchens and dining rooms, including dinnerware, stemware and appliances.
Pantone and Tollens, a leader in the European paint industry, have already concluded a partnership to give birth to an exclusive paint collection, Tollens inspired by Pantone, available throughout France in 2013. By March 2013, the Castorama DIY network will launch of a 40-colours ready-mix paint collection, followed by the launch of a 100-shades colour collection in Tollens exclusive professional network in June. Pantone 17-5641 Emerald will be the flagship colour in both collections.
In order to select the colour of the year, Pantone’s teams quite literally comb the world looking for colour influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact colour, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.
Past colours of the year include:
– 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)
