Dec 18, 20142 min read

Pantone's 2015 Color of the Year: Marsala

Pantone’s announcement of their color of the year has become quite an event in the media, fashion and design worlds. It’s no surprise that every year we see make-up, clothing, accessories and home goods in that particular shade. 2015’s Color of the Year is Marsala, like the color of the wine. And, like the wine, it’s an earthy hue in the red-brown family. Unlike last year’s color, Radiant Orchid, Marsala is an easy shade to use and appeals to both men and women. It’s flattering to a lot of skin tones and plays well with other colors.

Photo source: InStyle

According to Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, “Marsala is a subtly seductive shade, one that draws us in to its embracing warmth.” Pantone declares Marsala “a naturally robust and earthy wine red.” Well, I don’t know about seductive but I can see its appeal. The last few years, Pantone’s colors of the year have been somewhat more difficult shades–Emerald in 2013 and the Radiant Orchid I wrote about for 2014. In contrast, it’s easy to see Marsala as lipstick, nail polish, scarves, tabletop, throws and clothing. Celebrities with skin tones as varied as Beyonce and Taylor Swift are already on board, which highlights what a versatile color it is. Lingerie manufacturers are part of this hot new trend, too. This is the kind of color that can be worn instead of chocolate browns or brighter red. Check out some of these gorgeous bras in 2015’s Color of the Year.