Fashion Law Journal
For 2025, Pantone has selected PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a rich, warming brown that promises to transform our visual and sensory landscape.
What is Pantone and the Color of the Year?
Pantone, the global color authority, has once again captured the world’s imagination with its annual Color of the Year selection. Since 1999, the Pantone Color Institute has been unveiling a single color that encapsulates the global mood, design trends, and cultural zeitgeist. The Pantone Color of the Year is more than just a hue—it’s a cultural statement that influences design, fashion, technology, and consumer experiences across multiple industries.
PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse: A Color That Tells a Story
This year’s color is not just a shade—it’s a narrative of comfort, sophistication, and connection. Described by Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, as a color that “expresses a level of thoughtful indulgence,” Mocha Mousse transcends traditional perceptions of brown.
Key Characteristics of Mocha Mousse:
- A soft, rich brown with subtle warmth
- Evokes sensations of comfort and luxury
- Inspired by natural elements like cacao, chocolate, and coffee
- Bridges humble earthiness with aspirational elegance
The Cultural and Design Significance of Pantone 2025
The selection of Mocha Mousse reflects deeper cultural currents. Pantone’s research indicates a growing desire for:
- Harmony with the natural world
- Authentic and wellness-oriented experiences
- Comfort and inner peace
- Connections between technology and human experience
Pantone Color of the Year 2025 in Different Industries
Fashion and Accessories
Mocha Mousse will make waves in the fashion world, appearing in:
- Soft, buttery leathers
- Luxurious suedes
- Cashmere and angora knits
- Diaphanous chiffons and silky textures
Technology
Tech brands are already embracing the color. Motorola, for instance, will release smartphone models in Mocha Mousse, featuring innovative touches like vegan leather inlays with embedded coffee grounds.
Home Decor
Interior designers can expect to see Mocha Mousse in:
- Flooring
- Wall colors
- Furniture
- Natural materials like wood, stone, and rattan
Beauty and Personal Care
The color will influence:
- Hair color trends
- Makeup palettes
- Skincare packaging
- Beauty accessories
Global Celebration of Color
For its 26th anniversary, Pantone is taking a global approach to celebrating the Color of the Year. Highlights include:
- A spectacular light show at the London Eye
- International events in New York, London, Shanghai, and Mumbai
- Collaborations with brands like Joybird, Pura, Wix Studio, and IPSY
Why the Pantone Color of the Year Matters
The annual color selection is more than a trend—it’s a cultural barometer. It reflects:
- Global emotional states
- Design philosophy
- Technological and social shifts
- Collective aspirations for beauty and meaning
Conclusion: More Than Just a Color
PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse represents a nuanced exploration of comfort, luxury, and connection. It invites us to reconsider brown not as a neutral backdrop, but as a rich, complex expression of human experience.
As Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Color Institute, notes, the color speaks to our “desire for comfort and wellness, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others.”
