As usual since 2000, Pantone has unveiled the colour that will prevail next year and will directly influence areas such as fashion, design or decoration. Thus, 2018 will be dyed Ultra Violet.  An intense, genuine and revolutionary purple tone that, we have seen for instance in one of the most iconic costumes worn by the deceased Prince or the colour that flooded his house after the news of his death.

According to the authority of colour, this tone “evokes a style of counterculture, the grip of originality, ingenuity, visionary thinking that leads us into the future,” according to Laurie Pressman, Pantone’s vice president. A choice that corresponds to a longing that the world needs: “We live in complex times. We see the fear of going forward and how people are reacting to that fear. “ The colour, Pressman adds, “is one of the most complex because it takes two shadows that seem diametrically opposed, like blue and red, and joins them together to create something new.” The ultra violet leans more to blue than to violet, “which speaks of the spiritual quality of the conscience”.

How will it be worn?

Ultra Violet is a cold and vibrant color that adds a certain mysticism. This unique combination of red and blue is easier to match than you might think initially. In fashion, for example, it can be combined with gold and silver among other metallic tones to give it that luxurious and dazzling look. In contrast, mixed with greens or greys, it “evokes natural elegance,” according to Pantone.

Brands such as Raf Simons, Ralph Lauren or Hugo Boss have already uploaded it on the catwalk in Autumn looks. The purple fever continues also in Spring. This has been portayed in the Moschino designs presented at the Milan Fashion Week last September.

More symbologies

As we pointed out at the beginning, this colour is closely linked to creativity and is related in areas such as music. Artists like David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Prince or Katy Perry have worn it on more than one occasion. Even Richard Wagner surrounded himself with Ultra Violet when he composed. This tone was also used by the British suffrage movement of the early twentieth century and in turn, was one of the colours most used by Andy Warhol. Finally, this deep violet is also linked to the cosmos and the tonalities of the universe, a trend that we have seen as in recent years that also influences the fashion industry.

Find some more inspirations with our Ultra Violet fabrics and unleash your imagination with this ingenious and mystical tonality.