Pantone 18-1438 Marsala takes the spot this year as Pantone’s color of the year, following Radiant Orchid, and its subtlety is surprising. “Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” says Leatrice Eisman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. Marsala, the color, derives its name from a fortified wine made in Sicily that is often used in cooking. One may wonder whether or not Eisman’s description was meant for the color or the wine.
Pantone’s color of the year has been a persuasive part of the design, fashion and a number of related industries for over 50 years. We’ve been associating decades with colors since the 1950’s and Pantone is to thank…or blame. Marsala’s closest relative, Rust, comes from ‘The Earthy ‘70s,’ a significantly muted decade following ‘The Psychedelic ‘60s.’
How are these colors chosen, you may wonder, who decides? Well, secret meetings in European capitals twice a year, each with two days of presentations and debates given by representatives of color standards groups from many different nations is the process. Sounds pretty legit to me…But, what catchy title will this decade have?