The Pantone Color Institute has announced its selection for the 2025 Color of the Year, and it is none other than Mocha Mousse. Following this year’s choice of the semi-optimistic Peach Fuzz, Mocha Mousse is a light, sweet, creamy brown color with a warm undertone. This marks the first time that Pantone has chosen a shade of brown for this prestigious title, excluding the earthy reddish-brown Marsala from 2015.
As is often the case with matters of personal taste, the selection of Pantone’s Color of the Year has sparked controversy and debate. People have taken to social media platforms to express their strong dislike or confusion about Mocha Mousse. Some have even gone as far as comparing it to bodily waste. However, Pantone stands by its selection process, stating that the color is chosen based on global events, attitudes, and trends. Executive Director Leatrice Eiseman described Mocha Mousse as a color that embodies “thoughtful indulgence,” calling it sophisticated, lush, and unpretentiously classic.
While I am not someone who follows trends in luxury goods or fashion, I find it peculiar that so many people struggle to see a shade of brown without immediately associating it with something unpleasant. For me, Mocha Mousse evokes images of a plush teddy bear, a comforting cup of hot chocolate, or the soft suede of favorite boots. It reminds me of the velvety frosting on a chocolate cake or the clay used in face masks. As a person of color, the color Mocha holds a special significance to me, as it reflects the shades often used to describe my skin tone in cosmetic products.
Despite the negative connotations that some may attach to the color brown, it is important to recognize that not all browns are created equal. Just as not all reds are associated with blood or all yellows with urine, Mocha Mousse should not be automatically linked to unpleasant things. As a person who identifies with the color brown, I am acutely aware of the stereotypes and biases that can surround it.
The only aspect of this year’s color campaign that I find unsettling is the AI-generated imagery associated with Mocha Mousse. It conveys a sense of unease that I struggle to articulate. Overall, while the choice of Mocha Mousse as the Color of the Year may not resonate with everyone, it is a color that holds personal significance and associations for many individuals.
