Pantone has announced that the color of the year 2025 is 17-1230 Mocha Mousse, a soft, evocative brown that represents warmth, elegance, and understated luxury. Inspired by the rich tones of cocoa, chocolate, and coffee, Mocha Mousse is described by the company as “intense yet warm,” offering a sensory experience reminiscent of indulgent pleasures. It succeeds Peach Fuzz 13-1023, the peach-toned color of 2024, which conveyed sincerity, tenderness, and a sense of community.
Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explained that Mocha Mousse expresses “a reflective level of pleasure.” Sophisticated and exuberant yet a classic without pretense, this brown elevates the perception of traditionally humble shades, blending subtle elegance with grounded refinement. It’s a color that resonates with those seeking comfort, beauty, and understated glamour in everyday life.
The Pantone Color Institute emphasizes that Mocha Mousse reflects a broader cultural shift towards natural, organic, and sustainable aesthetics. “Characterized by its organic nature, 17-1230 Mocha Mousse honors and embraces the sustenance of our physical environment,” the company stated. Infused with authenticity, it balances the demands of modern life with the timeless beauty of artistic creation.
Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, noted that Mocha Mousse extends the concept of Peach Fuzz, amplifying its sense of comfort while adding the idea of simple pleasures that can be shared with others—like enjoying a cup of mocha mousse. According to Pressman, the color evokes harmony and satisfaction, fostering positive mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing while connecting us with our surroundings and social relationships.
Pantone’s Color of the Year initiative was first launched in 2000 as a way to influence global design trends and engage the creative community in conversations about color. Since then, it has become one of the most powerful tools for predicting cultural and consumer trends. The selection process is carefully curated by a committee of experts who examine global social, artistic, and cultural movements before choosing an existing Pantone shade and giving it a compelling public name. Past examples include Very Peri (2022), a bold lavender, Greenery (2017), and the dual choice of Illuminating Yellow and Ultimate Grey (2021), reflecting social challenges during the pandemic.
This year marks 26 years since Pantone began its annual color announcements. Over time, the influence of the Color of the Year has expanded beyond design professionals to impact fashion, home décor, consumer products, and marketing worldwide. The Pantone system, originally created for graphic arts, now includes over 2,000 colors, with new shades added approximately every 18 months. The company itself has grown from its New Jersey headquarters to 17 offices globally and offers products ranging from textiles to electronics. Recent collaborations include Motorola’s Edge 50 neo smartphone, Jägermeister limited-edition bottles, and summer-inspired Nespresso coffee products, all featuring Pantone colors.
For 2025, Pantone is taking the Color of the Year concept further by organizing public events around the world. The international tour kicked off in London, with the London Eye illuminated in Mocha Mousse for a spectacular evening display. The initiative allows the public to experience the color first-hand and reinforces the growing excitement and anticipation surrounding Pantone’s annual choice.
Despite some lighthearted critiques on social media calling the color “beige” or joking about its resemblance to chocolate, Mocha Mousse has been praised for its depth, warmth, and timeless elegance. It is a color that encourages designers and consumers alike to embrace comfort, pleasure, and sophistication in the coming year.
In summary, Pantone 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is more than a brown hue; it’s a reflection of contemporary life’s desire for harmony, connection, and understated luxury. From fashion and interior design to lifestyle products, this color is poised to shape aesthetics worldwide in 2025, celebrating simplicity, authenticity, and the small joys that make daily life richer and more enjoyable.