As We Are Over Hot Pink, What's Next?

We've bid a tearful farewell to the era of hot pink – the hue that, for a brief moment, convinced us all that life was a perpetual Barbie dream.

Photo: Actress Alia Bhatt in Manish Malhotra

Trends are ephemeral, and the relentless pursuit of the next big thing propels the industry forward. The year 2023 witnessed an unapologetic love affair with the bold and vibrant shade of hot pink, a hue that permeated runways of Valentino with the 'Pink PP Collection' and created a 'pink movement' with Barbie's iconic marketing campaign. However, as the curtain fell on the year, the fashion landscape left behind the fascination of hot pink, prompting the inevitable question: What's next?

Pantone, the harbinger of colour trends, has provided a glimpse into the palette that will define 2024 – the nostalgic and comforting Peach Fuzz (Pantone 13-1023). This pastel peach, reminiscent of the 1990s, emerges as a soothing antidote to the vivacity of its predecessor. It aims to wrap the upcoming year in a warm embrace, offering respite in its subtle and tender tones.

Photo: PANTONE Peach Fuzz 2024 (colour of the year)

The selection of Peach Fuzz signifies more than a mere shift in colour; it embodies a collective yearning for comfort and familiarity. The choice echoes the cyclical nature of fashion, harking back to an era marked by simpler, more serene aesthetics. As the world contends with vicissitudes, the colour of Peach Fuzz seeks to provide a visual sanctuary, a tranquil refuge from the chaotic and fast-paced nature of modern life.

Contrasting with Pantone's soft approach to 2024, Valentino's Creative Director, Pierpaolo Piccioli, propels us into a different direction. After crafting the signature hot pink shade that dominated Valentino's Autumn/Winter 2022 collection, Piccioli is poised for another sartorial revolution. His gaze is fixed on the future, anticipating the Autumn/Winter 2024 collection to showcase electric, warm blue as the potential trendsetter of the year.

Piccioli's bold choice heralds an estrangement from the intensity of hot pink, presenting a palette that is equally dynamic but with a cooler and more sophisticated demeanor. Electric Blue may become the visual anthem of 2024, offering a refreshing alternative to the warmth of Peach Fuzz. This shift in direction encapsulates the perpetual cycle of innovation within the fashion industry, where change is not just anticipated but celebrated.

As we bid adieu to the era of hot pink, we find ourselves at the cusp of a new chromatic odyssey. The transitional journey into Peach Fuzz and the prospect of Electric Blue beckon us towards a harmonious coexistence of the nostalgic and the avant-garde. The question is not merely about what we leave behind but about the vibrant spectrum of possibilities that lie ahead, inviting us to embrace the perpetual evolution of fashion with open arms.