Is Pantone Tone-Deaf? — The Lexington Line

Pantone is under fire for their 2026 Color of the Year pick—PANTONE 11-4201: Cloud Dancer. Is this choice “quiet luxury,” or a quiet push for white supremacy?

What is Color of the Year?

1999 birthed a cultural phenomenon—Pantone’s “color of the year.” A visual tool for trend forecasters and a pillar for those in fashion, marketing, and design, Pantone defines the color of the year as an actualization of a lifestyle trend rather than a short-lived fad; this color is declared a reflection of the upcoming year entirely.

The choice of color considers all aspects of the year, from global emotion and attitude, to the overall changes and quakes felt by people across all cultures.

Pantone claims the color of the year is a “[reflection] of what's taking place in the global culture at that moment in time.”

Pantone emphasizes that the color of the year is important for all people—not just companies and corporations. They place color as a powerful communication tool that can greatly affect mood and lifestyle choices. The Pantone color of the year is an important tool for creatives, companies, and consumers alike.

PANTONE 11-4201: Cloud Dancer

On December 4th, 2025, Pantone released their latest color for the new year 2026: Cloud Dancer. A soft, billowy white, this hue is the first shade of white selected in the history of the program.

This color is meant to invoke a sense of calm tranquility, encouraging a focused and relaxed 2026. A versatile shade, Cloud Dancer can create a vast expansion when on its own, or add depth when paired with others, as demonstrated with both pastel and shadowy palettes granted by Pantone. It aims to represent minimalism and “quiet luxury,” a trending phrase as of recent times.

Backlash Against Pantone

After the color was announced, many took to the internet to share their opinions. Cloud Dancer sparked a heated discussion due to the timing of this exact color choice. It was labeled by many as “dystopian” or “tone-deaf.” People have found an issue with the hue in more ways than one.

Cloud Dancer via Pantone — Source: *Pantone*

Many color enthusiasts have simply claimed Cloud Dancer as a boring choice–calling it “sterile” and lacking originality. With so many colors to choose from, a white tone seemed like a complete cop out; this was a huge step back for Pantone as a cultural trend forecaster and creator.

Others had differing issues with the color choice, arguing that choosing a white shade in this political and social climate is a push for white supremacy. Some groups deemed Cloud Dancer a “recession indicator,” and coined the term “Pantonedeaf” for the program’s absolute lack of cultural awareness.

Pantone executives have fought hard against these opinions, claiming that skin tone had no place in their 2026 decision. They went even further to acknowledge past color choices—like the warm brown shade Mocha Mousse that was chosen to represent 2025—emphasizing that no one had anything negative to say when those shades were picked.

Regardless of Pantone’s intentions, it is hard to disregard the cultural significance of choosing a white shade for the color of the year. At a time when so many are divided by their skin color, there is a clear connotation for this choice—whether intentional or not—and a trend-creating force with an impact like Pantone should be more mindful of any possible dogwhistles they may be blowing.

What do you think about Cloud Dancer? Leave a comment below.