It has been 26 years since Pantone started singling out a standout shade each year, and it is the first time the company has picked a shade of brown|Pantone|Facebook
Pantone’s 2025 Color of the Year is “Mocha Mousse,” an airy, light brown that represents a balance of comfort and glamour, according to the color institute.
Pantone sees the shade as versatile and embodying a cultural shift.
Mocha Mousse challenges the color brown’s reputation as drab or utilitarian. Now, some are comparing it to “quiet luxury.”
Recent color choosings like Viva Magenta (2023) symbolized boldness, while Peach Fuzz (2024) represented warmth and kindness. Mocha Mousse focuses on holistic well-being. It remains to be seen if the color will become a thing.
Pantone’s annual Color of the Year selection began in 1999 with Sky Blue. It is now a major event, collaborating with products. This year’s rollout includes items like home fragrances, furniture, and even a vegan leather Motorola Razr phone in the color Mocha Mousse.
It has been 26 years since Pantone started singling out a standout shade each year, and it is the first time the company has picked a shade of brown that make-up artists, foodies, and designers are a fan of.