WGSN, like several other trend forecasting agencies, undertakes a rigorous and methodical process to predict colors well in advance—typically two years before they emerge in the market. For instance, their forecast for the Color of the Year 2025 is a captivating shade dubbed “Future Dusk.” This hue captures a dark, moody essence that beautifully balances deep blues and subtle grays, reminiscent of twilight skies.
Part data, part art and intuition
WGSN’s Color of the Year emerges from a unique blend of art, data, and intuition, drawing upon insights gathered through global workshops with experts across the fields of fashion, consumer tech, and interiors. The organization collaborates with specialists from around the world, conducting extensive research across various industries, trade shows, and online conversations. They utilize a framework known as Stepic, which is akin to the STEEPV framework, to ensure a comprehensive analysis that informs their color selection process.
The change in how people live their lives
The emergence of Future Dusk has sparked intriguing questions regarding its comparison to navy, a classic color in fashion and design, suggesting an evolution in our perception and use of dark tones. As nocturnal living gains popularity, we observe a rise in night activities and sports, leading to a shift in interior design towards darker palettes, particularly in warmer regions where dark tones can help maintain cooler environments. This trend is further evidenced by the increase in online searches for this color, indicating a growing interest among individuals on platforms like Pinterest and beyond.
From a wealth and family office perspective, could this colour be the key to the next generation?
The idea that a new color could be the key to the next generation’s perspective on wealth and family offices is intriguing. This shade, said to be ageless and embodying more non-binary thinking, serves as an alternative to traditional colors like black and navy, moving beyond the generational palettes we’ve come to expect, such as millennial pink.
This fresh take on dependable blue resonates with the themes of trust and finance while spanning across generations in a way that feels both safe and current. It presents an opportunity to utilize this color as a branding tool that is not only reliable but also fresh, making it a much easier choice than its predecessors. Ultimately, this could help enable a more fluid and inclusive future for wealth and family management.
Moving into real world applications.
As we move into 2025, Future Dusk invites a fresh perspective on color palettes, signaling a shift towards deeper, more introspective shades that resonate with contemporary sensibilities and emotions. This trend is not just about aesthetics; it’s also about how color can influence mood and ambiance in our spaces and wardrobes.
Notable collaborations illustrate this evolution, such as Rolls Royce’s partnership with Iris van Herpen to create the Phantom Syntopia in a striking custom color, Liquid Noir or the new Riyadh air cabin crew uniform, exuding a celestial quality. Additionally, the Y-3 football kit designed by Yohji Yamamoto for Real Madrid and the custom table by Searom Yoon for Louis Vuitton further highlight this shift in design aesthetics.
WGSN will continue to monitor how these applications develop through the coming year. While we reflect how strategic imagination and the power of play enters our daily lives, it would be interesting to see how the relevance of the 2026 colour “Transformative Teal” comes into play next year.