Grey clouds 

It has been a strange start to the new academic year. I’m usually fired up and ready to start afresh with new vigour and enthusiasm. I was all raring to go when the children when back to school (even though the weather had taken a sudden noise dive towards autumn without the usual tailing out of sunny days.) It was strange to be by myself after having someone around me for the last 11 weeks (due to a string of illnesses before the summer holidays) so I was determined to crack on with the ever expanding to do list. 

And then came the very sad news out of the blue that our Queen, of 70 years, had sadly passed away.

Rainbows in the sky 

I was surprised by how I felt about the news and the emotions that I went through. It makes me so sad thinking about there being no Queen and it was like losing another Nan all over again.  The weather was dull, grey and rainy on the day that she died and then somewhat symbolically a double rainbow arched the sky that evening.  

And a beautiful array of rainbow colours pretty well sums up the latest Pantone® announcement that predicts the colours for next year’s Spring and Summer. 

Spring 2023 

Following the fashion weeks, Pantone® have revealed the Spring/Summer colours to look out for in 2023 including 10 seasonal colours alongside 5 neutral classics.  

There is an abundance of bright rainbow colours with a wonderful tropical vibe, alongside some soothing pastels.  

The Pantone Color Institute’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman said “Colours for Spring/Summer 2023 are recalibrated for the new era we are entering. Blending escapism with reality, wholesomeness, and joy, we embrace the exploration of extreme contrast in mood and colour”. 

Send her victorious  

For me, many of the colours remind me of how bold the Queen always used to dress in her matching hats and jackets in bright colours. She often wore a solid colour from head to toe so that she stood out and was easily visible. You never caught her wearing a depressing colour.  

Colours like Empire Yellow, Classic Green, and Beetroot Purple are perfect examples of colours that would have been great as outfits fit for the Queen. 

Queen Elizabeth II was famed for saying, “If I wore beige, nobody would know who I am.” 

Stand out rainbow colours 

The rainbow colours give such a positive outlook for next year and you can clearly spot a complete rainbow in the Spring line up of colours: 

• Red – Fiery Red
• Orange – Tangelo
• Yellow – Empire Yellow
• Green – Classic Green
• Blue – Summer Song
• Indigo – Blue Perennial
• Violet – Spring Crocus

Tropical island 

Having had a wonderful summer this year, I can’t wait for another holiday next year and these colours exude travels to an exotic island far away. With clear blue waters, coral reefs, cloudless skies and the sun blazing down.

With colours such as Iced Mango as a mouth-watering sorbet and the vibrant feathers of a Love Bird or Andean Toucan. Paired alongside some neutral colours for a true coastal chic look.  

Spring 2023 colours

• Beetroot Purple 18-2143
• Empire Yellow 14-0756
• Crystal Rose 12-1708
• Fiery Red 18-1664
• Blue Perennial 16-4036
• Classic Green 16-6340
• Peach Pink 15-1530
• Tangelo 15-1335
• Summer Song 14-4316
• Love Bird 13-0443

Spring 2023 extra colours from LFW

In the main the colours are repeated at London Fashion Week, albeit in lighter shades of yellow, red, orange and pale blue. However the emphasis shifts from the pink of New York Fashion Week to purple at London Fashion Week in the shape of Spring Crocus. The blues of LFW are also much more vibrant than those at NYW with Electric Blue Lemonade.

Here are the colours from LFW to round off the colours for Spring 2023:

• Cherry Tomato 17-1563
• Persimmon 16-1544
• Iced Mango 14-1140
• Blazing Yellow 12-0643
• Titanite 16-0229
• Andean Toucan 16-6230
• Airy Blue 14-4122
• Electric Blue Lemonade 18-4245
• Spring Crocus 17-3020
• Pink Cosmos 16-2122

Neutral classics

Pantone® have also updated the Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of a coffee, khaki green, light grey, cream and blue. Perfect grounding colours and perfect peaceful additional colours for weddings. 

The bonus classic neutral colours for Spring 2023 are: 

• Macchiato 17-1221
• Leek Green 15-0628
• Gray Lilac 13-3804
• Vanilla Cream 12-1009
• Skylight 12-4604

And at LFW these are:

• Oyster Mushroom 13-4201
• Grayed Jade 14-6011
• Tender Peach 12-0912
• Mocha Mousse 17-1230
• Bluing 19-3954

Colour themes

Colour plays an important part in our lives and it’ll be interesting to see how these colours filter through to influence things around us.

Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.

Look out for my report when the 2023 colour of the year is released later in the year. My guess is for a bright green of Love Bird – we haven’t had a green since 2017 so feels fitting. And definitely a colour the Queen would have worn.  

“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return. We will be without friends again. We will be with our families again. We will meet again.” Queen Elizabeth II 2020 

Late sunshine 

I have loved the late summer sunshine this week. With the children all back at school, I’ve actually felt like I’ve been on holiday as I have managed to eat my lunch sat in the garden in the sunshine with peace and quiet. It’s been lovely to extend that summer vibe for a little longer. We had such a wonderful summertime that I didn’t want it to end. We managed our first holiday in 2 years and got to relax and breathe in the sea breeze.

But seasons come and seasons go and I know that the nights drawing in is a signal of the entrance of autumn – quick on the heels of a glorious summer break.

However, my thoughts are being drawn to the lighter Spring days already and dreams of holidays, as the latest Pantone® announcement predicts that the colours that will dominate the scene for next year’s Spring and Summer are calming and evocative for travels further afield.

Spring 2022

With the fashion weeks just kicking off, Pantone® have revealed the Spring/Summer colours to look out for in 2022 including 10 seasonal colours alongside 5 neutral classics.

There is an abundance of blues in the mix for next year, alongside a vibrant collections of bold colours. To me, they encapsulate two of my favourite things – being by the seaside, plus a joyous celebrations of colourful florals in my garden.

The Pantone Color Institute’s executive director Leatrice Eiseman said “Half are in calming colors. Obviously, everyone wants to feel they’re in a safe haven. On the other hand, there is the very human proclivity of wanting to get out and be active again. That’s where the more energetic colors come in. The latter offer more experimentation.” Eiseman added. “Brighter colors lift your spirits and let you abandon the rules about color that you learned, when you were older. They bring you back to being a kid again and teach you to celebrate something in your life that will give you pleasure.”

I do like to be besides the seaside

We were so pleased to make it to a few beaches in both Scotland and Wales over the summer. With some wonderful coastal walks, harbour visits and simply playing on the sand. Eating fish and chips or ice creams always taste better when sitting by the seaside. The change of scene and pace of life are certainly relaxing. Just watching the rhythm of the sea washing in and out provides a real sense of escapism.

I’m delighted that blues seem to be centre stage in the mix of colours for next year (perhaps eluding to one of them being the Colour of the Year 2022?). The beautiful seascape includes Spun Sugar, Glacier Lake, and Skydiver, along with a teal blue of Harbour Blue.

Cool pastel colours

The fragility of things at the moment couldn’t be described better than the name of the pale pink colour in Gossamer Pink – conjuring up images of dewy spiders’ webs glistening in the early spring sunrises.

Teamed with a warming Coca Mocha and the earthy and pale neutral colours – it feels as fresh as newly washed sheets on the washing line in the summer breeze. The refreshing feeling we all need for our health and wellness.

Gardening companions 

Even before lock down, I had got the gardening bug and had started growing and propagating my own flowers and vegetables. It started with an obsession for succulents and indoor plants (I daren’t say the number out loud of how many house plants I have at the moment!) which spilled out in to the outdoors.

We have loved growing our own fruit and vegetables and now filling the garden with more home grown flowers too. Gardening is such a relaxing and a very worthwhile past time that is currently seeing a soar in popularity. The lock down has certainly made everyone appreciate being outside and enjoying improving their natural surroundings.

So the vibrant names of some of the colours conjure up joyful colours of spring and summer flowers just as I’m planning and planting my bulb lasagne for next year (such as the bright Daffodil colour). I’ve tried growing dahlias this year and can’t wait to try more in 2022 perhaps in the purple of Dahlia, or vibrant pink Innuendo. Along with the travel inducing flamboyant Poinciana tropical tree from Madagascar.

Old favourites 

It’s reassuring to also see the current colours of the year 2021 still showing their prescience and easing us through the transition to another year. Although with different names, you can still identify the yellow of Illuminating (which I correctly tipped this time last year as the Colour of the Year 2021) and also Ultimate Gray in the neutral classics.

Spring 2022 colours

• Spun Sugar 12-4401
• Gossamer Pink 13-1513
• Daffodil 14-0850
• Glacier Lake 16-4118
• Poinciana 18-1564
• Coca Mocha 18-1019
• Innuendo 18-2042
• Dahlia 18-3324
• Harbor Blue 18-4728
• Skydiver 19-4151

Spring 2022 extra colours from LFW

In the main the colours are repeated at London Fashion Week, albeit in different shades of browns and pinks. However the emphasis shifts from the blues and bright red of NYFW to more rusty orange colours at London Fashion Week in the shape of Coral Rose and Sudan Brown. There is also an additional neon lime green and a really striking turquoise of Cascade.

Here are the colours from LFW to round off the colours for Spring 2022:

• Cascade 14-5713
• Coral Rose 16-1349
• Super Sonic 18-4143
• Popcorn 12-0825
• Potpourri 13-2004
• Bubblegum 17-1928
• Sudan Brown 18-1160
• Fragile Sprout 15-0549
• Orchid Bloom 14-3612
• Coffee Quartz 18-1307

Aside from two grey colours in the neutral section, the colours differ greatly which makes it hard to see a clear winner for colour of the year in 2022.

Neutral classics

Pantone® have also updated the Classic Colour Palette. These are a group of neutrals that are core basics in the form of a white, cream, khaki green, plus light and dark grey. Perfect grounding colours and perfect peaceful additional colours for weddings.

The bonus classic neutral colours for Spring 2022 are: 

• Snow White 11-0602
• Perfectly Pale 13-0003
• Northern Droplet 14-4104
• Basil 16-6216
• Poppy Seed 18-4004

And at LFW these are:

• White Alyssum 11-1001
• Humus 15-1304
• Fair Green 15-6316
• Northern Droplet 14-4104
• Poppy Seed 18-4004

Colour themes

It’ll be great to see how couples incorporate these colours in to their weddings next year. There’s plenty of scope for unique colour combinations and personalisation.

Pantone® is the world-renowned authority on colour and the Pantone® Color of the Year is always really influential in any popular colour themes in fashion, interior design and weddings.

Look out for my report when the 2022 colour of the year is released later in the year.

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