Valentino haute couture fall 2021. Photo: Gorunway.com
One of the most powerful communication tools that indirectly works with one’s psychology,—evoking action, signaling mood, and sometimes even healing from deep emotional trauma—is color. Several ancient cultures have acknowledged the power of hues and have practiced chromotherapy, which is no stranger to holistic treatments. So important are pigments that each year, the Pantone Color Institute releases a special color for the upcoming year, and 2022 is predicted to fall in love with a shade that lives by the current psychological and social situation across the globe. Amidst today’s uncertainties with respect to Covid’19’s Omicron variant, the Pantone Color of the Year 2022 is Very Peri, a shade extracted from periwinkle that embraces today’s shakiness, but celebrates cautious hope and optimism for the future.
Xüly Bet spring 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Xüly Bet
Saint Laurent men’s spring 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Saint Laurent
Iris van Herpen haute couture fall 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Iris van Herpen
This shade is the result of almost a year’s worth of research and trend forecasting, which picked up patterns from several realms like fashion and sports, focusing on the metaverse. “There is just no question that gaming influenced the continued usage of Very Peri,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
Lanvin spring 2022. Photo: Gorunway.com
Gucci spring 2022. Photo: Courtesy of Gucci
The color also has high relevance in a spiritual context, stemming from indigo, which is symbolic of the inner mind and intuition, and violet, which is symbolic of the higher cosmic consciousness. Hence, it’s never a bad idea to meditate with an amethyst crystal in hand. Periwinkle plants even offer a sense of calmness during a stormy day.
In the fashion world, this color has been repetitively mentioned by Lanvin, Chet Lo, and Louis Vuitton, and can be associated with power, royalty, and wealth.
Balenciaga haute couture fall 2021. Photo: Courtesy of Balenciaga
Alberta Ferretti spring 2022. Photo: Gorunway.com
The upcoming year’s periwinkle birth baby comes as a surprise after the colors predicted for 2021 (grey and yellow). Pantone explained that the duo symbolized illumination at the end of a dark tunnel, referring to the world’s battle against Covid-19. However, towards the end of this year, the Omicron variant has been viciously spreading across countries, introducing another period of uncertainty. “We really want the Color of the Year to be reflective of what is happening in the world around us.” Added Eiseman. At least 2022’s Very Peri gives no ultimatum to the situation, and accepts today as it is, with an amethyst sparkle of hope.
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