Pantone’s 2025 color of the year has been officially announced and it’s none other than Mocha Mousse (17-1230). This evocative soft brown shade has already created quite a buzz among color enthusiasts and fashionistas. The Pantone Color Institute describes it as a color that “transports our senses into the pleasure and deliciousness it inspires” while also appealing to our desire for comfort. With its warm and earthy tones, Mocha Mousse has been hailed as a win for quiet luxury and a perfect representation of the shifting color trends in the fashion and design industries.
The announcement of the color of the year is always highly anticipated, and this year was no different. As soon as the news broke, social media was abuzz with reactions and opinions. Some praised the choice of Mocha Mousse, while others were not so convinced. The Washington Post hailed it as a “win for quiet luxury,” while The New York Times’ Vanessa Friedman’s mind went straight to comfort eating. However, some on social media couldn’t help but point out the uncanny resemblance of the color to, well, poop.
Despite the scatological comparisons, many have applauded Pantone for choosing a shade of brown for the first time in its 25 years of selecting a color of the year. Laury Rosenthal, a color consultant, gave props to Pantone but also expressed her wish for a slightly darker shade. She stated, “It’s great to eat chocolate mousse, but the color looks a bit like a poo emoji. I would have preferred a darker taupe if asked.”
But for women of color, the pick of Mocha Mousse is a celebration. Charnaie Gordon, a teacher and children’s book author, sees the color as “rich, grounding, and unapologetically bold.” As a Black woman, she feels that the color represents resilience, beauty, and depth. She stated, “Pantone finally caught up to what we’ve been knowing all along: melanin magic is unmatched.” Gordon believes that the color is an ode to Black and brown people everywhere and is excited to see it as the energy for 2025.
Amy Ellzey, a color consultant and owner of Colour Me Beautiful LA, believes that people should get their minds out of the gutter when it comes to this color. She suggests that instead of drawing comparisons to unappealing aspects of nature, one should consider Mocha Mousse as a desirable milk chocolate or opaque latte. The color is warm, comforting, and plays well with other colors, making it a great choice for fashion, home, and interior designs.
Lauren F. Battistini, a color consultant at LFB Color Consulting, is thrilled with Pantone’s choice. She sees it as a clear indicator of the shift towards more comfort, warmth, and earthy appeal in the fashion and design industries. She believes that Mocha Mousse is a perfect anchoring neutral that pairs well with colors like cream, aqua, ochre, warm red, aubergine, blush, cinnamon, and warm greens. Battistini also adds that this shade of mocha is a refreshing break from the recent trend of millennial gray and other flat neutrals.
One thing is for sure, Mocha Mousse has already made its mark as the color of 2025. Its warm and comforting tones, along with its versatility, make it a favorite among color enthusiasts and designers alike. So, if you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and warmth to your wardrobe or home decor, Mocha Mousse is the color to go for.
But why stop at just incorporating it into your wardrobe or decor? The color also has a deeper meaning and message for us all. In a world that is constantly changing and evolving, Mocha Mousse reminds us to find comfort and pleasure in the little things. It encourages us to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the beauty in simplicity. It symbolizes resilience, strength, and the unapologetic celebration of diversity.
So, let’s embrace Mocha Mousse as the color of the year 2025 and all that it represents. Let’s add a touch of warmth and comfort to our lives and celebrate the richness and beauty of diversity. As Lauren F. Battistini puts it, “If Mocha Mousse gives us a break from Brat green, we’re all
