What do Prince, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and errr The Queen have in common? Well, they've all sported what Pantone is hailing as the colour of 2018. Say hello to 'Ultra-Violet,' a vibrant shade of purple, that the 'colour language experts' are saying is going to be everywhere and on everyone come next year.
After sending their team of 'colour experts' off to scour the world, looking for colour themes across food, clothing, homeware, transport and cosmetics they returned with their findings, coming to the conclusion that the colour of 2018 is the specific purple hue.
'We are living in a time that requires inventiveness and imagination. It is this kind of creative inspiration that is indigenous to PANTONE 18-3838 Ultra-Violet, a blue-based purple that takes our awareness and potential to a higher level,” said Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute. 'From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.'
According to Pantone, historically there has been a mystical or spiritual quality attached to Ultra Violet, which once again feels timely with our current obsession with crystals, tarot and mindfulness.
Fashion wise, the shade is already proving popular for next year, with the hue spotted on the Balenciaga, Gucci, Marc Jacobs and Loewe spring 2018 runway.
Bring on the purple reign.