The colour for the Year 2025 has been selected and it is Mocha Mousse. It is a light brown color. The color is meant to evoke feelings of comfort, warmth, and indulgence, and is inspired by the textures of chocolate, coffee, and cacao. The selection of Mocha Mousse was made by Pantone, the global colour specialist. The selection is made after experts travel the world to look for inspiration in areas like entertainment, fashion, art, design, and social media. They also consider socio-economic conditions, new technologies, and upcoming sporting events. The team's expertise in color theory, trend forecasting, and design helps them select a color that reflects current trends and moods. The color is meant to express what people are looking for and what's happening in global culture.
Mocha Mousse made a strong impression on the Spring/Summer 2025 runways, appearing in collections from designers such as Michael Kors, Max Mara, and Saint Laurent. These fashion houses demonstrated the color’s versatility through pieces like tailored trench coats, wide-leg trousers, fluid silk dresses, and monochromatic ensembles. Often paired with earthy neutrals or contrasted against vibrant hues, the shade proved its adaptability across various aesthetics and styles.
"As we began our selection process for this year, one of the things that kept bubbling up to the top was this desire for harmony," the institute's vice president Laurie Pressman said. The institute is Pantone’s trend forecasting consultancy, which every year since 1999 has chosen a Pantone colour that it believes to straddle the mood of the current moment and the year ahead. Pressman explained that Mocha Mousse is a subtle evolution from last year's colour of the year , Peach Fuzz, which reflected similar themes. She said "As people continue to seek harmony and balance, there is a shift to focussing on curating moments or experiences that boost our sense of personal comfort and wellness." The Pantone team said that Mocha Mousse reflects a desire for a neutral colour that is less typical than beige or grey. It's an unpretentious classic.
The selection of the colour is watched with interest by designers, product manufacturers, brands and graphic and fashion designers. To make their pick, experts at the Pantone Color Institute trawl through high-fashion runways, interior design trends, pop culture moments and human psychology.
The first Color of the Year was Sky Blue in 1999, while more recent choices include Peach Fuzz — “a light, fruity tone that conjures peace and serenity” — in 2024. and Viva Magenta — “an unconventional shade for an unconventional time” — in 2023.