Like a warm cup of hot chocolate or a big chair in front of a fireplace or an oversize cardigan sweater … Mocha Mousse you are exactly what we need right now!

You probably already know this, but every year right around this time of year, Pantone releases its “Color of the Year” for the following year.

In the brand’s words:

The Pantone Color of the Year program engages the design community and colour enthusiasts in a conversation around colour, highlighting the relationship between colour and culture. Pantone selects a colour each year that captures the global zeitgeist—the Color of the Year express a global mood and an attitude, reflecting collective desire in the form of a single, distinct hue.

For 2025, the brand just announced “Mocha Mousse” as its choice. WooHoo! Again, in the brand’s words:

For 2025, the Pantone Color Institute selects PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.

Pantone’s pick each year is significant in its influence in design across many arenas including home, fashion, the arts, and even yes marketing so its important for us all to pay attention. It’s also indicative of our collective mood.

In talking about Mocha Mousse, Pantone is honing in on the color’s indulgence and warmth, with (as it says) the absence of pretension. Yes I see that. Brown isn’t a snobby color at all and it is indeed warm by nature (it is the earth after all). But perhaps it’s my own current mood because I see even more than just that!

I love this color so much and I have embraced this color and its many tones forever. And I used to be made fun of for wearing so much of it. So there!

Here’s why … I feel Mocha Mousse is an envelope.

Mocha Mousse and the shades that surround it envelope me and protect me and provide a comforting barrier around me that just makes me feel cared for. Like hot chocolate that wraps around me whether it’s a coat or a sofa or a sweater or a set of dishes. Or a background to a layout for a campaign.

Mocha Mousse makes me feel cared for, makes me feel shielded from the coldness of the world, makes me feel warm in what might otherwise give me the shivers.

That’s what I love about Mocha Mousse and all its sister colors. And maybe that’s why Pantone selected it for 2025 because maybe that’s what our world needs right now.

I’m going with that. Thank you Pantone. What’s your experience? JIM

Pantone Color of the Year 2025 - Mocha Mousse #FeelingFriday