This earthy mist that has been slowly tumbling towards the fashion and interiors world has caught up with the colourists at Pantone.
Leap frogging over that Sanctuary-esq Christmas decorating trend of burnt oranges, rich browns and mid Century furniture tones Mocha Mousse has its roots in retro with a romantic twist. From being a staple at 70s dinner soirées, to dominating trend forecasts for the new year.
I have been bleating on about this change afoot from the repetitive colour blocking we’ve seen for a good while. We saw a hint of 2010s early NOTHS product imagery overlaying coloured card (I remember doing it!) creeping back into contemporary styling but Pantone foresee a more sensual creative direction to filter down from those at the top of the respected tree.
Pinterest shared their food predictions for next year in the same week and what do you know, “Chaos Cakes” have this exact same notion. While they move away from the comforting chocolatey coffee hue, their projection for pattern and print in vintage clashing colours, encourages the wackier the better.
And it’s all about maximum texture.
Nostalgic tone and pattern captured by Lucy in Portugal.
“For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and sensorial and comforting warmth extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others.
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2025 - Sensory imagery
Marketeers know that you can’t just sell from a product image, you have to sell a feeling. The image has to conjure the imagination, a memory or an aspiration.
As consumers we are touching with our eyes, sensing the softness of a fabric, the smoothness of a glass stem. Can you sink into that potential new sofa you are scrolling past.
Cue the new curved backdrops that allow you to evoke a sense of fluidity in an otherwise still scene and just look at what Pantone had to say too.
Immerse yourself in a golden hour palette. Lucy on location in Tarquinia Summer 2024.
Autumnal palette - set to stay
The classic trench coat colours, think Kim Kardashian SKIMS. The days of decorating with stark white walls are truly over for the next generation of home owners. Millennial mirrored furniture and that silver grey feels as far from modernity as possible for 2025. Stacey Solomon taking over the high street with a warm neutral palette with her collaboration with Asda’s George range and even her best mate Mrs Hinch has moved away from 50 shades of her signature grey.
A monochromatic dream for neutral lovers. But where beige is anything but bland. A deeper pink than a washed out yellow.
We have every shade of Mocha Mousse to imagine. Whether you are drawn to a marble or more of a delicate painted effect. Go bold and embrace the rustic Antico Muro stone from Italy or let the Portuguese sensual veining of the Sunset Swell wash over your images.
While some may have hoped for the cheerful notes of the Peach Fuzz of 2024, or were expecting something more uplifting than comforting, when you look back through the 2000s it’s now clear as mud (or mousse) that a neutral was brewing. Wicked/Brat Summer green was back in 2017. Glinda quartz pink, the year before.
Tying in with the continued dominance of animal print in fashion, everyone from Anthropologie to Amanda Wakeley is calling it the new neutral.
Although UK style icon Erica Davies had this covered in her 2000 debut style guide.
Poldka dots are set for a revival too, taking over the gingham blitz of 23-24, I suspect we are going to see more of Julia Robert’s Pretty Woman polo outfit flooding the high street next summer.
Lucy on location Tarquinia 2024.
How are you going to incorporate this sumptuous brown into your imagery next year? Let me help you by showing you a range of designs that suit the way YOU shoot.
No need to go all out if the Mousse Marble feels like overkill. I have a palette of warm rich neutrals waiting for you. And still trying to convince my sister on a tortoiseshell acrylic. Have to wait and see on that one…!
Learn more about the Pantone Colour of the Year here.