On December 20, 2025, Pantone made a bold and unprecedented move, announcing Cloud Dancer—a shade of pure white—as its Colour of the Year for 2026. The decision, the first time in the company’s history that white has claimed the top spot, has sparked a whirlwind of debate across the design world and beyond. Some hail it as a timely reflection of a society craving calm and clarity, while others argue it’s a tone-deaf choice that risks exclusion and misinterpretation.
Pantone describes Cloud Dancer as “lofty” and “billowy,” a hue that “serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection.” According to Laurie Pressman, Vice President of the Pantone Colour Institute, the color is “not just a colour, it’s a mindset,” and was chosen to reflect a collective desire to slow down, reset, and find calm after years of visual overload. “It works seamlessly with everything around it, offering a refined neutrality that feels intentional and adaptable,” Pressman told the BBC.
Yet, the announcement was met with immediate backlash. The term “Pantonedeaf” began trending among critics who argue that celebrating a minimalist, pristine white feels disconnected from the realities of everyday living—especially for those whose homes are far from the carefully curated, sun-drenched spaces seen in glossy magazines. Some critics have gone further, warning that positioning white as aspirational could carry uncomfortable racial undertones, landing awkwardly amid ongoing conversations about representation and inclusivity.
Designer Chris Beaumont, speaking to BBC, explained that white is rarely a neutral choice. “White is a signal,” he said, shaped by a decade of minimalist celebrity interiors—think Kim Kardashian’s famously stripped-back home—which have come to represent “wealth, order and distance from chaos.” Beaumont contends that, far from being inspiring, white often embodies “austerity, moral minimalism and the idea that neutrality signifies virtue.” He points to the pandemic as a turning point: “Overnight, homes became our offices, sanctuaries, and emotional anchors.” Against this backdrop, he argues, “pushing the Colour of the Year towards further visual emptiness feels rather tone-deaf.” In his view, instead of offering calm, white now risks amplifying “a sense of bleakness,” especially when paired with cool, clinical lighting.
Interior designer Lara Clark echoes this sentiment. “Cloud Dancer doesn’t really read as a colour, and is firmly in the bin for me,” she told BBC. While she concedes that bright whites may suit highly minimal or architectural spaces, she’s skeptical about their effect in real homes. “What looks serene in a styled shoot can easily feel clinical at home. White can feel stark and unforgiving and you don’t want your home to give hospital vibes.” Clark believes that homes should “spark joy and feel warm and lived-in,” and worries that Cloud Dancer feels “quite removed from that.”
But not everyone is on the side of the skeptics. Victoria Robinson, a style and trend expert, sees Cloud Dancer as “a beautiful choice.” She points out that, despite its apparent simplicity, “this particular shade feels soft and elegant rather than stark.” Robinson recommends using it in bedrooms and living areas where a serene, restful atmosphere is desired. “Even if you don’t want to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with cushions, throws and curtains.”
Interior designer James Mellan-Matulewicz was surprised by Pantone’s pick, describing it as “essentially the absence of colour.” Still, he likens it to vanilla ice cream—“everyone likes it but it’s nobody’s favourite.” He does see its merits, especially as a backdrop for architectural details like panelling and arched doorways, which are “a growing trend in modern homes.”
In the fashion world, white has traditionally been a staple rather than a statement. Luxury stylist Oriona Robb says that elevating white is “less about novelty and more about intention,” reflecting a shift towards refinement after years of trend overload. “White forces designers and wearers alike to focus on form, proportion and quality—there’s really nowhere to hide,” she explains. Robb also acknowledges the privilege often associated with wearing white: “When white is treated as something only a narrow group of people can pull off, it becomes exclusionary.” She notes that the industry is aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to celebrating white as an ideal, and says the real test will be whether “brands engage with that nuance honestly, or simply aestheticise the colour.”
Stylist Katie Malik admits she was initially surprised by the choice, given Pantone’s history of bolder picks, but she sees it as fitting within the wider mood of “quiet luxury,” burnout, and a rejection of excess. Malik says her clients are increasingly seeking calmer, more restorative spaces. “Many people are actively seeking tranquillity and serenity in their homes and aren’t always ready to commit to more daring colours,” she explains. Malik believes Cloud Dancer serves as a “blank canvas that allows all colours to shine.” She adds, “A blank canvas isn’t an empty space, it’s a space filled with potential.”
Pantone’s Colour of the Year, since its launch in 2000, has become a powerful industry signal, influencing not just trend forecasts but also fashion collections, beauty launches, interiors, packaging, and even technology. Past choices have included the optimism of Living Coral, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently, softer, emotionally driven tones like Peach Fuzz. According to BBC, these selections don’t just live on mood boards—they shape how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.
The impact of Cloud Dancer as Colour of the Year is already being felt across industries. Some brands may embrace its minimalist appeal, focusing on clean, serene aesthetics, while others might push back with more expressive palettes. The choice could reinforce existing minimalist trends or spark a backlash in favor of bolder, more individualistic expressions. For manufacturers and designers, the challenge will be to balance Cloud Dancer’s broad appeal with the risk of it being perceived as unadventurous or exclusionary.
Ultimately, the legacy of Cloud Dancer will depend on how creatively designers, brands, and consumers choose to interpret it. Will it come to symbolize calm and elegance, or will it be remembered as a symbol of isolation and exclusion? As the year unfolds, the design world—and the wider public—will be watching closely to see how this blank canvas is filled.
One thing is certain: white may be the most controversial “non-colour” ever to take center stage, and its success will hinge on honest engagement with its cultural and aesthetic implications. For those tempted to embrace Cloud Dancer in all its pristine glory, perhaps the only essential accessory is a very good stain remover—kept firmly within reach.
