The Year Millinery Goes Magenta

What is Pantone Colour of the Year for 2023?

The colour of the year for 2023 is ‘Viva Magenta’ Pantone describes it as:

‘A nuanced crimson red tone that presents a balance between warm and cool. An unconventional shade for an unconventional time’.

When did Pantone Colour of the year first start?

Pantone colour of the year started in the year 2000. Experts from the Pantone Colour Institute research colour influences from around the world.

They look at the entertainment industry and films in production, review traveling art collections, new artists, fashion, design, aspirational travel destinations

Influences may also stem from new technologies, materials, textures and effects that impact colour, relevant social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention.

What have recently been Pantone colours of the year?

Below are some of the recent pantone colours of the year.

Some of them will be very familiar! In a recent discussion with the British Millinery Association, it was noted that despite being ‘Colour of the Year’ the trends sometimes run a year or two behind while the fashion industry catches up.

We will have customers who want to be right up to date and want their piece in ‘Viva Magenta’ for 2023, but then we also find these colours can run for season after season (For example, Serenity Blue seems to endure year after year).

Interestingly, the colour trends for the big race events like Ascot, Derby, Melbourne Cup etc. can often follow completely different trends for the year.

 How do milliners incorporate these colours?

It can be a splash of the colour or a complete piece embracing the colour of the year.

In the example below, members of the British Hat Guild’s created a collection ‘Hats Fit for a Queen’ to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. Milliner Jenny Roberts created this 1980s inspired turban brimmed hat using 2022s Pantone Colour Of The Year ‘Veri Peri’ silk abaca.

How can I find things in the colour of the year (and previous colours)?

Bunique stocks various products in current and previous colours, below are a few examples (Feathers, silk abaca etc). We recommend searching the online store for the colour you are looking for.

Many milliners when faced with a new colour to work with will look at dying materials. Feathers, Abaca, Sinamay can all be dyed using various methods.

Keep an eye out for more ‘Viva Magenta’ tones in the B Unique online shop in 2023. You can also find similar tones in our products in magenta, cerise and pink peacock.

For more information on the pantone colour of the year:

https://www.pantone.com/uk/en/articles/color-of-thecol-year/what-is-color-of-the-year

https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/decorate/g25463774/pantone-colour-of-the-year/