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For many people who has spent a long time living in rental properties, confronted by the same landlord-approved magnolia walls and yearning for adding some actual personality to their home, Pantone's new Colour of the Year might feel like a disappointing choice.

This year, the renowned color company has selected white as its flagship hue.

In detail, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white characterized as "lofty" and "airy" which "serves as a emblem of tranquility in a society re-learning the value of quiet reflection".

It represents the first time white has been honored as the Colour of the Year, and it has generated significant controversy.

As stated by Pantone, Cloud Dancer "transcends mere pigment, it's a mindset" and signifies a shared yearning to slow down, reset and seek peace after years of aesthetic chaos.

But some detractors have dubbed the decision as "out of touch", contending that promoting sparse and pristine white spaces can feel disconnected from the more compact, messier homes everyday individuals call home.

Some observers propose that positioning white as aspirational introduces subtext related to race, causing discomfort within continuing political and cultural dialogues about inclusion and diversity.

Sterile or Serene?

Designer One design critic says the backlash transcends surface appeal, stating that white bears cultural undertones and is seldom a innocuous choice.

"The color white sends a message," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's austere home – that came to symbolize "affluence, order and distance from chaos".

He clarifies that white is "not about inspiration but being careful not to cause upset", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, virtuous simplicity and the idea that impartiality denotes goodness".

The designer cites the pandemic as a pivotal moment in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they became our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, adding that in this context, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "further visual emptiness seems rather tone-deaf".

Instead of providing calm, he argues white now risks intensifying "a sense of bleakness", especially when combined with harsh, sterile lighting.

'Sterile Sensations

An interior designer, a UK-based design expert, agrees and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may work in highly minimal or structural spaces, she says bright whites seldom foster calm in real homes.

"What looks serene in a professional photo can readily seem clinical at home," she clarifies.

"The color white may seem stark and unforgiving and you don't want your home to give hospital vibes."

She adds that "homes should elicit happiness and feel warm and welcoming, and this hue feels quite removed from that."

The critic hopes that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in preference for "unabashed joyful interior design", using vibrant hues to express individuality.

A representative of the Pantone Colour Institute commented that people "have varied interpretations" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "integrates perfectly with everything around it, providing a sophisticated impartiality that feels intentional and adaptable".

Since its launch in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has become a significant trend indicator.

Previous selections have featured the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of a deep blue, the energy of a bold pink-red, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours don't just live on style predictions - they appear in fashion collections, cosmetic products, interiors, packaging and even technology, influencing how products are sold and how consumers envision the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this particular shade seems soft and elegant rather than severe".

In contrast to those who say the colour is boring, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "sleeping quarters and living areas where you want a serene, calming ambiance".

"Should you prefer not to redecorate, you can incorporate the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and curtains."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's pick this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", it is a bit like vanilla ice cream, in that "it is universally accepted but it's nobody's favourite".

He can see its merits, explaining that white can work especially effectively as a backdrop for architectural details like wall molding and curved entries which is a "growing trend in modern homes".

In apparel, white has long been a basic rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it poses a different challenge to designers more familiar with bold shades.

Fashion consultant Oriona Robb says elevating white seems "not focused on newness and more about intention", reflecting a movement towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and those who wear it alike to focus on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really no room for error," she explains.

But she adds that it also carries assumptions around self-image, lifestyle and privilege, stating: "If white is treated as something only a limited subset of people can wear well, it becomes exclusionary."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones associated with celebrating white as an ideal, particularly amid continuing discussions about representation and accessibility, and the real test will be whether "brands engage with that complexity authentically, or simply glamorize the colour".

A Reflection of the Times

Style consultant Katie Malik concedes the choice initially surprised her, considering Pantone's track record of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a genuine shift and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury