Color of the Year 2024: Apricot Crush Color Palettes and Inspiration
Welcome to the world of Apricot Crush! The official color of the year 2024 was announced by the experts at WGSN and Coloro back in September. The consumer and design trend forecasting agency takes into account a variety of influences in the world of color and design, including fashion, culture, art and global trends when making their color of the year selection that will come to dominate consumer space. Apricot Crush (Coloro 024-65-27) strikes a balance between yellow and red on the visible spectrum and brings a sense of warming luminosity. WGSN notes that the color was chosen for it's "restorative, refreshing and energetic" qualities that are a perfect match for a world in search of "calm and optimism".
"Cultivating a hopeful and positive mindset has become a powerful coping mechanism for consumers. Care, connection and community underlie our colour of the year, which is also reminiscent of the nutritional value of oranges and apricots, which are rich in vitamins and antioxidants," - WGSN
When it comes to fashion, Apricot Crush transcends boundaries to appeal across genders and generations who are looking to retail to fulfill their desire for newness and self expression. Near Pantone equivalents Peach Pink (15-1530), Tangelo (15-1335), Persimmon (16-1544), and Iced Mango (14-1140) were also highlighted as key colors to watch in SS'23 NYFW and LFW Color Trend Report confirming the importance of bright warm oranges for Spring 2024 season and beyond. The sun bleached quality of Apricot Crush makes it a versatile shade that works year round and . The mid level luminosity makes it a great selection when designing for physical and digital products whether they will be shown in the metaverse or on the street.
Seen across a number of runway shows in the latest Spring/Summer 2023 and Pre-Fall 2023 runway season, Apricot crush is a great choice for across categories including activewear, resort, swim, loungewear, lingerie or within core aesthetics. Looking for inspiration and ways to design with Apricot Crush within your range? Check out the 6 color palettes that have been trending on the runway. Whether bright neons, gelato pastels, muted mid-tones, Apricot crush can be dialed up or toned down to suit any customer and direction.
Design with Apricot Crush
Color of the Year 2024 Color Palette Inspiration for SS'24
Balancing Mid-tones
Maryam Nasser Zadeh's SS'23 collection features complementary orange and green shades creating a beautiful visual balance that looks and feels right and is eye catching and commanding all at once. The complementary balance between the apricot and green uplifts and grounds and adds a touch of playfulness.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Active Brights
Eudon Choi SS'23 collection is a play of active brights. Orange makes a bold statement and is a closer match for Pantone Tangelo. The collection pairs bright complementary oranges and blues that are energising and mood boosting. Perfect for activewear, swim, and resort. This is a more saturated interpretation of Apricot crush for energising directions.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Sensual Pastels
Isabel Marant SS'23 collection features warm muted sensual feminine mid tones mixing apricot, mauve, cognac balanced with cooler greens and blues. This is a bohemian color direction. It's softness is it's strength all at once. Apricot Crush is a subtle touch that makes the palette so powerful.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Warm Earthy Bohemian Palette
Ulla Johnson's SS'23 collection features deeper pigmented harmonies with burnt orange, purples, and reds, that are eye catching, playful and mysterious all at once. This is a deeper pigmented interpretation of Apricot crush that will appeal to free spirits looking for bold and expressive looks.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Gelato Pastels
Jonathan Simkhai SS'23 collection features delicate gelato tones working pastels with more pigmented shades. This is a deeper burnt orange interpretation of Apricot Crush mixed with a peppermint pastel hue that adds luminosity and comfort whether used in digital and physical realms.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Bold mid century tones
Alberta Ferretti SS'23 collection leans into true orange midtones with a contemporary twist. From true midtones to bright actives, the oranges set the tone for a bold and energising direction. Paired with turquoise and avocado greens the palette creates feminine, sensual, elegant looks.
Images are courtesy of Vogue Runway.
Apricot Crush is that will influence not just fashion alone but will be seen across other categories including interiors, home, wellness, beauty products, fragrance, skincare, tech products. What are your thoughts about WGSN and Coloro pick for 2024? Is it a surprising pick or more anticipated?
Sign up to the blog below for more color and print trends happening in 2023 and beyond! Looking for more seasonal color and print trends shaping consumer preferences? Check out the trend report section and shop FW'23-24 Fashion Print and Pattern Trend Report. The report features curated fashion print and pattern trend moodboards and color direction for womenswear for Fall Winter 2023-24 buying cycle.
Mila xo
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