A shade of off-white known as ‘Cloud Dancer’ has been declared 2026’s ‘Color of the Year’ by Pantone. Described as “lofty white” by the color grading authority, Cloud Dancer is the first ever shade of white to receive the title and was described as “a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection” in the announcement. Pantone deliberately chose the color in opposition to the vibrant ’90s palettes and maximalisms that have dominated much of the decade, instead harking back to a “whisper of calm in a noisy world.” Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said Cloud Dancer is a “structural color” designed to complement any palette, from brights to pastels, and that its selection is not a “default to white.” Laurie Pressman, Pa

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