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For those who has spent a long time renting, staring at the same landlord-approved beige walls and dreaming of injecting personal style to their home, Pantone's latest Colour of the Year might seem like a personal attack.

This time around, the influential color company has chosen white as its annual hue.

More specifically, the shade is called Cloud Dancer – a white touted as "lofty" and "airy" which "functions as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the worth of stillness".

It represents the initial instance white has been chosen as the Colour of the Year, and it has sparked considerable debate.

Per Pantone, Cloud Dancer "represents more than a hue, it's a philosophy" and reflects a widespread desire to decelerate, reset and seek peace after years of sensory saturation.

But some commentators have labelled the decision as "Pantonedeaf", arguing that elevating sparse and pristine white spaces can seem distant from the smaller, lived-in homes most people occupy.

Some observers argue that presenting white as an ideal carries subtext related to race, causing discomfort within current political and cultural conversations about inclusion and diversity.

Soothing or Stark?

Designer Chris Beaumont says the criticism transcends aesthetics, noting that white holds societal connotations and is rarely a neutral choice.

"White is a signal," he says, influenced by a ten-year period of sparse star homes – most notably Kim Kardashian's stripped-back home – that came to symbolize "affluence, order and removal from chaos".

He elaborates that white is "not about inspiration but taking care not to offend", with Cloud Dancer embodying "restraint, moral minimalism and the concept that impartiality denotes virtue".

Beaumont references the pandemic as a defining period in how people relate to their homes.

"Almost instantly they transformed into our offices, refuges and sources of stability," he says, stating that against this backdrop, pushing the Colour of the Year towards "more aesthetic barrenness seems rather tone-deaf".

Instead of providing calm, he believes white now risks heightening "a feeling of emptiness", particularly when paired with cool, clinical lighting.

'Hospital Vibes'

Lara Clark, a UK-based design expert, concurs and says Cloud Dancer "doesn't really read as a colour" and is "completely rejected for me".

Although it may work in extremely sparse or structural spaces, she says pure white shades rarely foster calm in real homes.

"An image of tranquility in a professional photo can readily feel sterile at home," she explains.

"The color white may seem harsh and demanding and you don't want your home to give a medical atmosphere."

She adds that "homes should spark joy and be warm and welcoming, and this shade seems quite removed from that."

The critic expresses a desire that homeowners will reject the Pantone Colour of the Year in favour of "unabashed dopamine décor", using colour to showcase personality.

The vice president of the Pantone Colour Institute stated that people "bring different feelings" to the significance of the colour, but it was chosen as it "works seamlessly with everything around it, providing a refined neutrality that seems deliberate and versatile".

Beginning in 2000, Pantone's Colour of the Year has become a significant trend indicator.

Past choices have featured the optimism of a vibrant pink-orange, the calm confidence of Classic Blue, the vibrancy of Viva Magenta, and more recently more gentle, feeling-based tones like Peach Fuzz.

These colours extend beyond style predictions - they show up in clothing lines, cosmetic products, interiors, product wrapping and even technology, shaping how products are marketed and how consumers imagine the year ahead.

A style and trend expert, says Cloud Dancer is a "elegant choice" and while it may appear basic, "this specific hue feels soft and elegant rather than stark".

In contrast to those who say the colour is dull, the expert sees it as "flexible" and says it's best used in "bedrooms and living areas where you want a serene, restful atmosphere".

"Should you don't want to repaint, you can introduce the colour into a room with pillows, blankets and curtains."

Interior designer Another professional says although he was surprised that Pantone's selection this year was "fundamentally the absence of colour", it is a bit like a basic flavor, in that "it is universally accepted but it's not a top choice".

He can see its benefits, noting that white can work especially effectively as a background for architectural details like panelling and arched doorways which is a "rising style in contemporary houses".

In fashion, white has long been a basic rather than a bold declaration and as a Colour of the Year it presents a different challenge to designers more accustomed to vibrant colors.

Fashion consultant A styling expert says championing white feels "less about novelty and more about intention", reflecting a shift towards sophistication after years of fad saturation.

"The color white compels designers and wearers alike to concentrate on form, proportion and craftsmanship, there's really nowhere to hide," she explains.

But she adds that it also carries assumptions around self-image, way of life and advantage, stating: "When white is viewed as something only a narrow group of people can wear well, it becomes divisive."

She says the fashion world is already aware of the uncomfortable undertones tied to celebrating white as an aspirational standard, particularly during continuing discussions about inclusion and approachability, and the true challenge will be whether "companies address that complexity authentically, or simply aestheticise the colour".

A Societal Shift, Not a Fad

Stylist Katie Malik concedes the choice at first surprised her, considering Pantone's history of vibrant hues, but says it mirrors a authentic change and aligns with a broader sentiment of "quiet luxury