Brown is the new red as Mocha Mousse becomes the Pantone Color of the Year.

Year 2025 is here and it brings along the global mood for ‘thoughtful indulgence’. And keeping in sync with that mood, Mocha Mousse, the unpretentious classic, has been declared the Pantone Color of the Year 2025.

After a grand launch at the London Eye with a light show, Mocha Mousse is now set to colour not just merchandise and lifestyle products but also of events around the world —from New York and London to Shanghai and Mumbai!

Sure black, navy and beige have stayed the basic favourites, with brown getting the step-sibling treatment. But its status is about to change now.

Mocha Mousse is no gentle Peach Fuzz (colour of 2024) or zesty Viva Magenta (colour of 2023), but an earthy tone which barely makes it to one’s wardrobe. Here’s how to make it your own in 2025…

• If you are rather new to the colour, start by using it as one of the colours in layers. Go easy – pick up a Mocha Mousse stole and combine it with shades of beiges and browns.
• Pair it up with whites and dark brown. A short Mocha Mousse skirt with a white top and Van Dyke brown long boots spell a style statement.
• Invest in a pair of Mocha Mousse trousers, now that it’s here to stay for rest of 2025. Pair it with a snow-white long sweater and a tan long coat to beat the chill.

• Go for an overall Mocha Mousse look. Opt for a saree jumpsuit or knitted top with woollen skirt. You can even do a shirt dress with matching leggings or a co-ord set. Pair them with a white or burnt down footwear for contrast!
• Still unsure? Pick a pair of gloves or a mitten to start with.

Quote

For Pantone Color of the Year 2025, we look to a mellow brown hue whose inherent richness and sensorial and comforting warmth extends further into our desire for comfort, and the indulgence of simple pleasures that we can gift and share with others. - Laurie Pressman, vice-president of the Pantone Color Institute

Bring Mocha Mousse home

Mocha Mousse catapulting to the Color of the Year 2025 made Kartik Kapila, founder of Purpose DesignLife, a design studio in Chandigarh, think about the versatility of a shade that he has subconsciously admired for months. “Through our interior design projects, we work closely with the personal preferences of our clients across the nation and abroad. I have noticed a recent rise in the popularity of 'old money' trends, irrespective of where someone comes from. There has been an increased preference for warm, muted woods (such as oak and walnut veneers), coupled with a revival of mid-century aesthetics over the past year. This could be a significant factor influencing the decision-makers at Pantone in selecting this colour," he says.

Mocha Mousse’s understated elegance blends beautifully with both contemporary and vintage-inspired spaces, making it a timeless choice for interiors. Kartik shares with us pointers to adding the Colour of the Year to your space…

• Mocha Mousse pairs beautifully with creamy whites, soft beiges, and taupes to create a soothing and cosy palette.

• For those seeking contrast, navy blue, deep green, or charcoal grey can enhance the depth of this shade, creating a sophisticated balance.

• In terms of furniture and upholstery, consider plush velvets, soft chenilles, or woven textures in complementing or contrasting tones.

• A Mocha Mousse sofa or accent chair can add character in the room, while pops of colour such as mustard or terracotta through cushions or throws can add vibrancy.
• For a cost-effective way to incorporate Mocha Mousse, using it as wall paint to create an accent wall could be ‘very demure’. It works especially well when paired with warm lighting to highlight its earthy undertones.

• It can also be introduced through cabinetry, textured wallpapers, or statement rugs.

Box

Colours through the years

2024: Peach Fuzz

A velvety gentle peach bringing a feeling of kindness and tenderness, communicating a message of caring and sharing, community and collaboration.

2023: Viva Magenta

Powerful energy of red with the restraint of violet encouraging experimentation and self-expression.

2022: Very Peri

Qualities of blue with violet-red undertones reflecting spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence.

2021:Ultimate Gray Illuminating

Gray and vibrant yellow, two independent colours that highlight how different elements come together to support one another.

2020: Classic Blue

Instilling calm, confidence, and connection, this enduring blue hue highlights our desire for a dependable and stable foundation