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LOOK: Pantone’s color of the year for 2015 is made-for-you Marsala

By JICA LAPEÑA

What word applies to a city in Sicily, the fortified wine that comes from it, a sauce often paired with chicken, and 2015’s color of the year? Why, it’s none other than “Marsala”—an earthy yet sophisticated brownish red (that is not to be mistaken for maroon).
 
On their website, world-renowned authority on color the Pantone Color Institute describes the hue as “a naturally robust and earthy wine red” which “embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal.”



This is in reference to the popular Italian chicken dish which uses Marsala wine as one of its main ingredients, as well as to the wine itself. If it won’t be drunk, it can be eaten and if it can’t be eaten… why of course, it can be worn!

“This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors,” continues the description on Pantone’s website.

True enough, a quick trip to the mall will turn up many a Marsala-colored throw pillow, lipstick, sweater, or shoe.

Wait—I don’t have anything in Marsala.

Unlike last year’s elusive Radiant Orchid, Marsala (or shades similar to it) is a color easily found in clothes and other objects. Likewise, it’s also much easier to pair with existing palettes so purchasing anything in this shade shouldn’t be much of a stretch.  

For starters, nail polish is always a good, easy, commitment-free way to try out a new color. If you want to take it a notch further, go for a Marsala-toned lipstick, eyeshadow, or blush. With its organic undertones, Marsala easily blends with a wide range of skin colors.



“I feel like it’s a makeup color,” said my interior designer friend over afternoon coffee.

Many a beauty expert would agree with her. From global cosmetics giant Sephora (which ties up with Pantone every year to make an exclusive color-of-the-year makeup line) to local makeup artist Xeng Zulueta.

In an interview with StyleBible.ph, Zulueta pointed out that although “it’s a sophisticated color,” Marsala can also look “matronly” if it isn’t worn well.





“The impactful, full-bodied qualities of Marsala make for an elegant, grounded statement color when used on its own or as a strong accent to many other colors… A matte finish highlights Marsala’s organic nature while adding a sheen conveys a completely different message of glamour and luxury.” continues the Pantone website as it stresses the color’s duplicity.

Perhaps not so 'universally appealing' after all

After a lengthy discussion with my friend about Marsala’s merits as a makeup color, the clueless boyfriend next to her blurted out that he had no idea what Marsala is. After a quick Google search he nodded with a conclusive, “I like it.”

Still the reactions from experts and laypeople alike show that perhaps this year’s Pantone pick is not as “universally appealing” as the color institute makes it out to be.

New York magazine The Cut published an article with headline “Pantone’s Color of the Year Is Icky Marsala” in which the author wrote: “It's a color that makes you want to go to Olive Garden or order Tampax in bulk.”

Similarly, alternative lifestyle magazine Nylon compared the shade to “an expired, dried-up tube of '90s lipstick,” “the color you get when you mix all the finger paints together,” “dried period blood,” and “mud” among other “unfavorable things.”

Canadian website National Post described the color as “a ‘tired’ burgundy experts already hate.”



But despite the many objections to the Pantone pick for 2015’s color of the year, this author would like to argue that yes, Marsala may look “like a bodily fluid” (as per nylon.com) but that’s precisely why it matches your skin and your surroundings so well—because it’s as organic as blood or the grapes in a vineyard.   

And if you don’t like the color, you can just drink the wine. Or make the chicken. Face it: one way or another, Marsala is a color that’s absolutely made for you. — BM, GMA News
Tags: pantone, coloroftheyear, design, fashion
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