CARLSTADT, N.J. (Jan. 3, 2008)—The Chinese may have deemed 2008 the year of the rat, but color forecasting firm Pantone, Inc. decided it would be the year for blue to blossom. Pantone 18-3943, otherwise known as Blue Iris, has been selected as the color of the year for 2008.

Pantone 18-3943 Blue Iris

The shade is a balance of “the stable and calming aspects of blue” mixed with “the mystical and spiritual qualities of purple.”

“From a color forecasting perspective, we have chosen Pantone 18-3943 Blue Iris as the color of the year, as it best represents color direction in 2008 for fashion, cosmetics and home products,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “As a reflection of the times, Blue Iris brings together the dependable aspect of blue, underscored by a strong, soul-searching purple cast. Emotionally, it is anchoring and meditative with a touch of magic. Look for it artfully combined with deeper plums, red-browns, yellow-greens, grapes and grays.”

In addition to seeing the hue in the fashion realm, Blue Iris is available in Pantone’s eco-friendly line of paint.

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