Pantone has introduced PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer, a white hue, as the Pantone Colour of the Year for 2026.
The company, which provides colour standards and solutions for the design community, made the announcement today.
Cloud Dancer serves as a symbol of calm in society as people rediscover the value of consideration and reflection, according to Pantone. The hue signifies the desire for a fresh start.
Symbol of calm and fresh start
“At this time of transformation, when we are reimagining our future and our place in the world, PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is a discrete white hue offering a promise of clarity,” Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute said in a statement.
“The cacophony that surrounds us has become overwhelming, making it harder to hear the voices of our inner selves. A conscious statement of simplification, Cloud Dancer enhances our focus, providing release from the distraction of external influences,” Eiseman added.
“We are living in a transitional time where people are seeking truth, possibility, and a new way of living. PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer is an airy white hue that exemplifies our search for balance between our digital future and our primal need for human connectionโa liminal space that is a launchpad for creative expressionโas individuals and communities are experimenting beyond traditional boundaries, opening the door to increased imagination and innovation,” Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute explained further.
New creative initiative launches
Pantone will launch a creative initiative that celebrates and supports the artist community. The company will release limited-edition designs from artists across design areas, from graphics to fashion, throughout the year.
Each creation reflects the artist’s interpretation of the Pantone Colour of the Year. The initiative is part of exploration of commissioning art and celebrating creativity.
For the first iteration, Pantone is collaborating with Emiliano Ponzi, an illustrator, visual artist, and author. Ponzi will create a limited-edition tote bag that showcases Cloud Dancer through his visual language, which combines depth with precision. The tote will be available on Pantone.com.
Applications across industries
Fashion and apparel
PANTONE 11-4201 Cloud Dancer acts as an anchor for monochromatic dressing. The hue can be worn in items including button-downs, T-shirts, jeans, activewear and suiting.
The colour appears in silhouettes with oversized padding and rounded shapes, promoting relaxation. Textures range from down- and foam-filled cloth to furs to wools. The hue also lends itself to chiffons and jersey fabrics that flow from day to night and season to season.
Cloud Dancer mixes with all other colours, supporting rather than shouting and presenting a contrast that allows others to shine.
Fashion accessories and footwear
The hue mixes with every colour, infusing ensembles with sophistication and elegance. Pieces range from chunky knits to natural fibres, while structured accessories include jewellery, eyewear, belts, handbags, footwear and trainers.
Beauty and hair
Cloud Dancer offers a base for making a statement of minimalist chic or for creativity when used as a base for art, with cut-outs, hearts, pearls and shimmer. White nails keep things fresh and modern.
Applied to the eye in liners, eyeshadow looks or brighteners, the addition of Cloud Dancer can be used to create styles that range from dramatic and artistic to minimalist. For a balanced look, Cloud Dancer can be paired with contrasting colours like black liner or pastels.
When worn in hair, Cloud Dancer makes a statement on its own or in colour blocking, especially when paired with a personal style.
Home decor and interior design
Cloud Dancer displays a state of simplification, encouraging relaxation and focus for those seeking moments of disconnection and rest. The hue invites a space where function and feeling intertwine to build atmospheres of serenity and spaciousness.
The colour introduces a spa-like feeling into bathrooms and an open feeling in the kitchen. It brings a feeling of lightness to all product applications and environments, whether used on its own or combined with other hues.
Packaging and multimedia design
Cloud Dancer expresses a pared-back aesthetic that makes the product and brand quality the focal point. The shade serves as a contrast, allowing all other colours to shine and pop, whether in a digital environment or on a store shelf.
The combination of black with Cloud Dancer conveys sophistication and luxury. Through white-on-white typography, blind embossing or the play of shadow and relief, Cloud Dancer transforms simplicity into depth.
Cloud Dancer represents a choice for the eco-conscious and can be used to communicate commitment to sustainability using materials like recycled paper or moulded fibre.
