THE DYNAMIC BLUE HUE YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT IN 2022

Pantone, the world-leading expert in colour, has announced its Colour of the Year 2022 is a brand new shade of blue. Known as Very Peri – officially PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri – this shade fuses what Pantone describes as a “dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone.”

While Pantone selected two shades for Colour of the Year 2021, this year marks the first time in the Colour of the Year history that the institute has created a new colour to represent the global landscape. Strong and much more confident in its boldness and creativity, Very Peri is a sharp contrast to these grounding yet optimistic hues that embodied a message of hope and strength coming out of 2020.

Inspired by the transformative times the world is currently undergoing, Very Peri represents the global zeitgeist of the moment and our emergence from a long period of isolation. Using the dynamic virtual world - following the rise of gaming and the metaverse - as a main source of inspiration, the shade reflects the liberation, exploration, and creativity that the digital space delivers.

Aside from being a tone used in the high-contrast games popular among Gen Z, the shade also has roots in the natural world and in wellness, with lilac, lavender, and periwinkle plants offering a calming sense during a chaotic time.

“The Pantone Colour of the Year reflects what is taking place in our global culture, expressing what people are looking for that colour can hope to answer,” Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute, said in a press release.

“Blending the faithfulness and constancy of blue with the energy and excitement of red, this happiest and warmest of all the blue hues introduces an empowering mix of newness,” she stated.

Love it or loathe it, you can't deny the joyful vibrancy and much-needed optimism this colour will bring into your home, wardrobe, beauty routine, and so much more.

Ready to embrace this invigorating and uplifting shade? Read on because we’re about to see plenty of this royal hue imbuing everything - from our mantel decor to our manicures.

PERI PICKS FOR YOUR WARDROBE

For the fashion-focused, the unveiling of the Pantone Colour of the Year is always an exciting treat. As society continues to recognise the power of colour especially as a means to brighten up your mood and bring delight to your wardrobe, Very Peri displays a spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expression.

Giving us an energy similar to that of the hue Pantone Released in 2018, Ultra Violet, this striking shade has been popping up on various runways with Valentino being one of the very first to create a Very Peri ensemble for their haute couture catwalk for autumn 2021- complete with a chic short cape and eyecatching feathered hat. Several other designers followed suit the following season, with Lanvin showcasing a pleated mini dress in the shade and Alberta Ferretti and Gucci sending regal purple gowns down the runway. It entered the menswear sphere, too, with Virgil Abloh featuring styles in Veri Peri in his final collection for Louis Vuitton.

As to how Very Peri might permeate your closet, Pantone predicts that this "enthusiastic blue hue’s whimsicality lends itself to unpredictable colour harmonies and spontaneous colour statements.

“Futuristic in feeling, Very Peri takes on distinct appearances through application to different materials, finishes and textures, from shimmery metallics, lustrous sheens, and high-tech materials to handcrafted looks and natural fibres,” Pantone explains.

Style note:

This neutral shade of purple contains plenty of grey tones, meaning it’s easy to pair with most colours and, unlike a true purple, pastel lavender, or punchy violet, this shade is approachable and will look flattering on everyone.

FOR YOUR VANITY

As vibrant and unexpected a shade it is, Very Peri will no doubt spark a ton of beauty inspiration. Months of minimalist makeup means we crave more adventure with our makeup and Pantone's Colour of the Year is just the shade to help kickstart our creativity and bring fun to our everyday looks.

Between the unconventional purple-toned blush sweeping TikTok, Lady Gaga's violet shimmering eyeshadow at the House of Gucci premiere, and Gigi Hadid’s powdery blue eye makeup demonstrated at the 2021 Met Gala, these cool-toned shades are proving the power of purple makeup.

Suggestive of personal inventiveness and daring imagination, Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri makes a novel statement for eyes, nails, and especially in hair in a variety of finishes and applications from glittery and glam to dusty matte," Pantone's announcement reads.

Very Peri can be worked into a beauty routine in a number of ways - from eyes and cheeks to lips and nails- think unique finishes, jaw-dropping applications, and futuristic looks that pack a purple punch.

Beauty Tip:

If you’re looking to ease into the purple makeup trend, start by using a purple eyeliner for a small pop of colour. Draw a thin line across your upper lid, and if you’re feeling more adventurous, flick it out for a cat-eye effect.

FOR YOUR HOME

For interiors and the home, Very Peri has the potential to bring a playful pop of colour to animate any room, whether on walls or in decorative objects and furniture. With its warm violet undertones, it will stand out beautifully in neutral colour schemes in the form of a throw pillow, a soft blanket, or even a statement chair.

In home offices, people will want to extract the inspirational energy from Very Peri, while in bathrooms or vanity areas, the calming nature will be an asset.

"Very Peri is suited to an array of different materials, textures, and finishes," Patone explains. They also share how the shade will provide a "pop of colour" when incorporated through a painted wall, accent furniture, or piece of decor. "[It will act] as an intriguing and eyecatching accent in a pattern."

Style tip:

Home accessories are the best way to incorporate design trends like the Pantone Colour of the Year into your space. It’s more affordable than splurging on a new couch or committing to bold new wall paint.