The Pantone 18-3224 Radiant Orchid, “a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple,” was named as the colour of the year for 2014 by the world’s leading provider of professional colour standards.
“While the 2013 colour of the year, Pantone 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the colour wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
To arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for colour influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact colour, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.
Starring the runways
Radiant Orchid permeated the runways during the spring-summer 2014 fashion shows. Several fashion designers featured in the Pantone Fashion Color Report Spring 2014, including Emerson by Jackie Fraser-Swan, Juicy Couture and Yoana Baraschi, are incorporating Radiant Orchid into their spring collections. According to Pantone, “variations of this hue will carry into men’s and women’s clothing and accessories throughout next year.”
Radiant Orchid for beauty
Pantone also consider this shade has a real capacity to enliven the skin, making all who wear it feel more healthy and energetic. “Blending both cool and warm undertones, purple is an appealing hue for distinctive combinations and flattering to many hair, eye and skin tones,” highlights the company.
This multifaceted hue is seductive when combined with red and pairs well with its sister shades of lavender, purple and pink, which provides an assortment of lipstick and blush options. “Radiant Orchid’s exuberance also acts as a brilliant finishing touch to nails,” Pantone says.
Radiant Orchid for interiors
Regarding home design, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, and offers a gorgeous combination when paired with turquoise, teal and even light yellows. “Likewise, the vibrant colour is sure to liven up neutrals including gray, beige and taupe. Uplifting and bold without being overpowering, Radiant Orchid reenergizes almost any colour palette and provides a unifying element for diverse spaces,” Pantone states.
