It’s official, the Emerald Isle wins 2013. For the next 12 months, the national color of Hibernia has a new status as the Pantone Color Institute’s 2013 Color of the Year. Called Emerald 17-5641, the color will, according to trend forecasters, be making a strong debut this year everywhere from Le Creuset’s cookery to J. Crew’s jewelry.
For an island tempered by its past, Ireland is apparently forever on trend. The transition to 2013’s Emerald from last year’s Color of the Year, a bright orange called Tangerine Tango, nods to the green and orange of the Irish tricolor. In contrast to last year’s choice, aimed at energizing and boosting activity to move forward during a hectic year, the mood of Emerald is said to promote harmony and balance, and to allow more irenic insight.
Highlighting Pantone’s choice for 2013, executive director Leatrice Eiseman said in a press release, “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world.”
Just in time for the 2013 Gathering tourism initiative, this announcement puts the spotlight on the Emerald Isle as one of the most verdant destinations, renowned for its multitude of green hues. As Eiseman acknowledged, “Green is the most abundant hue in nature,” and for those heading home during any part of the year, a tour of the country promises access to the entire spectrum, made famous by Johnny Cash’s hit song “The Forty Shades of Green.”
Equally serendipitous for Irish and Irish Americans who may be low on emerald ornament, Pantone has also announced the Sephora + Pantone Universe 2013 Color of the Year beauty collection. The collection is due to hit Sephora stores in the U.S., Sephora in JCP stores, and Sephora.com beginning in March, just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.
The Pantone Color Institute is the global backbone for professional color standards in the design industries, and for more than a decade their Color of the Year has had major impact on which colors appear in fashion, home decor, graphic design and even industrial design. With Emerald as 2013’s Color of the Year, it shouldn’t be surprising if a little more green and lots more attention fly over to Ireland in the months ahead.
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