An Ultra Violet 2018

Every year,the U.S. based brand and company Pantone, which specialises in classifying and standardising colours, releases its Colour of the Year.  Not too long ago, Pantone released its Colour of the Year back in January, and this year it’s just as bold and bright as the years before it, with Pantone shade 18-3838, otherwise known as Ultra Violet.  

Now, I know what you’re thinking – why are we talking about colours, and what is so special about Ultra Violet?  And more importantly, what even is Ultra Violet?  

Colours, for one thing are just super cool. I mean, I know I’m not the only art nerd that obsesses over the perfect shades and anxiously waits for Pantone to release a new colour every year.  Well, maybe I am, but you can’t deny the fact that creating a brand new shade of colour that no one has ever laid eyes on is pretty amazing. Colour makes the world so much more interesting – and let’s be real, they make fashion more interesting.  Colour has the ability to attract, to blind, to distract, and sends some sort of message depending on its tint or shade. Pastels have a way of bringing a subtle calm to their surroundings, neons are bold and bright, screaming for attention, jewel tones are classically elegant and rich, and neutrals blend in anywhere in just the right way.  There have been moments when I’ve been stopped by colour – my eyes will hover on an emerald green puffer coat in my Modern History lecture, or I’ll suddenly stop in the middle of Market Street for the perfect pair of sunflower yellow wellies. And whether you like it or not, I know you’ve been stopped by colour too.

Pantone has taken our love of colour to a whole new level, and this year they’ve done it again with Ultra Violet.  Leatrice Eiseman, the Executive Director of the Pantone Institute describes the shade as “a blue-based purple that takes our our awareness and potential to a higher level.  From exploring new technologies and the greater galaxy, to artistic expression and spiritual reflection, intuitive Ultra Violet lights the way to what is yet to come.” I couldn’t agree more with Ms. Eiseman.  What I love about this year’s Colour of the Year is not just the colour itself, but its message. I mean, how St Andrews is it, when our motto is “Ever to Excel”? We’re encouraged to keep exploring, to take risks, and to reflect on ourselves whilst at our time at uni, so what better of a colour than Ultra Violet to represent that?  

I bet you’re wondering – what does Ultra Violet have to do with me?  Well, look no further, but here are my tips to incorporate a bit more of the Colour of the Year in your life:

1. Brighten up your room or flat with a bouquet of fresh tulips (which are in season) or any other blooms in shades of bright violet, purple, or lilac!  Getting fresh flowers may seem like a waste or out of date, but they really do bring a bright, cheery feel to any space.
2. Add a pop of Ultra Violet to your wardrobe in subtle ways – maybe a bright pair of socks or scarf – shades of purple, violet, and lilac are perfect transitions to spring.
3. Completely do away with subtlety and go bold – a puffer coat or jacket in Ultra Violet is sure to draw anyone’s attention.
4. Wear Ultra Violet on your lips or eyes with the perfect shade of purple lipstick or amethyst-coloured eye shadow.  You can wear one, or both and go with a full monochromatic look!
5. Probably the most understated way to wear Ultra Violet is on your nails – there are a variety of purpley polishes at Boots, and you can’t go wrong with whatever shade you choose, whether bright or pastel.

Colour is often a factor of fashion that we often forget.  The way colours come together perfectly or have the ability to make us stop and think is simply refreshing, and Ultra Violet certainly does that.  Hopefully, I hope that our year is a little bit brighter and a little bit more Ultra Violet until 2019!

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