Pantone has unveiled its Color of the Year 2026: PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer.
The airy white arrives as a calming presence for a world seeking quiet in the midst of constant noise, reflecting a renewed interest in intentional living, inward reflection, and the value of pause.
Much like a blank canvas waiting to be explored, Cloud Dancer represents the act of peeling back outdated habits to make way for new ideas. Its softness encourages stillness, relaxation, and focus—conditions that allow the mind to drift freely, opening room for creativity to thrive.
“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences.”
Pantone collaborations
To celebrate the announcement, Pantone will spotlight artists across creative disciplines throughout 2026, inviting them to interpret Cloud Dancer through their own lenses. These collaborations will surface as limited-edition drops spanning graphics, fashion, product design, and more.
The first installment features illustrator, visual artist, and author Emiliano Ponzi, who has designed a limited-edition tote bag that captures the shade through his signature blend of conceptual storytelling and graphic clarity.
“An airy white hue, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer opens up space for creativity, allowing our imagination to wander and drift so that new insights and bold ideas can emerge and take shape,” adds Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute.
The Pantone Color of the Year 2025 was Mocha Mousse (PANTONE 17-1230).
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