Marsala Is the 2015 Color of the Year

As 2014 came to a close, so did the color Radiant Orchid. Pantone announced that Marsala, a robust red-brown with blue undertones, is the color of 2015. It was highlighted on the Spring 2015 runways by designers including Daniel Silverstain, Hervé Léger by Max Azria and Dennis Basso.

Marsala, a redish-brown with blue undertones, is the 2015 color of the year. (Photo: Pantone)

Every year, the global color authority chooses a new shade to shine in fashion, home décor and more.

There’s a natural earthiness to the shade, announced in early December, a full-bodiness like the cooking wine it is named for, without being overpowering. The hue isn’t a risky one, whether in a nail polish, a frock on a runway, a pattern of stripes in a men’s tie or florals for table placemats or bedding.

“While Pantone Radiant Orchid, the captivating 2014 color of the year, encouraged creativity and innovation, Marsala enriches our mind, body and soul, exuding confidence and stability,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Much like the fortified wine that gives Marsala its name, this tasteful hue embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors.”

The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant statement color when the color is used on its own or as a compelling accent when paired with many other colors.

Blake Lively wears a marsala colored gown at Cannes in May 2014. (Photo: Pascal Le Segretain/WireImage)

Khloe Kardashian wore Marsala at Elton John’s Oscar party in March, Blake Lively wore it in Cannes last May and Zoe Saldana wore it promoting Guardians of the Galaxy in July. All chose the tone for big events last year, cluing us in to the pigment’s growing popularity. And all of the ladies, with their various hair, skin and eye colors, looked gorgeous in Marsala!

“This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” Eiseman said.

Equally appealing to men and women, Marsala is a stirring and flavorful shade for apparel and accessories, one that encourages color creativity and experimentation.

Marsala will show up in floral prints and stripes in men’s and women’s clothing throughout the year.(Photo: Pantone)

With the ever-growing popularity of floral prints and striping, variations of this hue will undoubtedly carry into men’s and women’s clothing throughout this year. Marsala is also a popular choice for jewelry and fashion accessories, including handbags, hats, footwear and the burgeoning market of wearable technology.

This highly varietal shade combines dramatically with neutrals, including warmer taupes and grays. Because of its burnished undertones, sultry Marsala is highly compatible with amber, umber and golden yellows, greens in both turquoise and teal, and blues in the more vibrant range.

Marsala will also be see in accent pieces, accessories and paint. (Photo: Pantone)

Marsala for interiors

Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint.

Dramatic and at the same time grounding, the rich and full-bodied red-brown Marsala brings color warmth into home interiors. Complex and full-bodied without overpowering, Marsala provides a unifying element for interior spaces. Add elegance to any room by incorporating this rich and welcoming hue in accent pieces, accessories and paint. Marsala’s plush characteristics are enhanced when the color is applied to textured surfaces, making it an ideal choice for rugs and upholstered living room furniture.

Nurturing and fulfilling, Marsala is a natural fit for the kitchen and dining room – making it ideal for tabletop, small appliances and linens throughout the home.The hue will be especially prominent in striping and floral patterns found in printed placemats, dinnerware, bedding and throws.

One of the color’s strengths, she said, is the ease in combining it with gray, black, beige and other neutrals.

“It’s a color that you can mix with what you already own,” Eiseman said. “You can add just a touch of it. That’s the intent and purpose. It is not the color that swallows the world.”