
Finally, I am in vogue! The people at Pantone have decreed Very Peri, a new shade, to be the colour of 2022. But is it blue or purple? They say blue, but it’s a lavender blue or a pastel purple to me.
Origin of the name
Named after the Vinca flower, it’s muted, understated and feminine and has a calming positive effect on your mood. It’s just what we need after the ravages of the past two years. Traditionally, the colour periwinkle denotes chastity and apparently lavender-hued periwinkles were used in churches to symbolise the Virgin Mary.

How does Pantone decide on the colour of the year?
By analysing trends which reflect the current mood. They look to see which colours are used by influential artists and designers and in social media posts. They also look at fashion, film, interiors, new materials and products across the globe. Leatrice Eiseman of Pantone says:

What colours look good with Very Peri?
I’ve looked at a few of the colour pairings suggested by Pantone and like this one best. Surrounding Very Peri with a palette of neutrals looks elegant, stylish and sophisticated.

Purple products
Pantone collaborates with businesses and brands to advise them on colour, so no doubt we’ll be seeing a lot of Very Peri in 2022. Here are a few examples of what’s available right now. If anyone has £22 to spare, please send the mug my way!
Visit this link to see past Pantone colours of the year.
About the author
Annette Peppis leads the team at Peppis Designworks, a creative hub of established publishing industry experts who create books, branding, marketing material and design templates for leading publishers and businesses. Keep in touch by to her bi-monthly emails.