Marsala 18-1438

Love it, or love it not, Marsala 18-1438 is the Pantone colour of 2015.

Credit Pantone Color Institute

For us at Little Birdie Events, just mention of the colour and name 'Marsala' triggers pleasant images of a rich red wine, generously poured into huggable glasses, slowly savoured and accompanied by the chatter of friends. Visions of luxurious dresses also come to mind, as well as the sultry 'pout', regal tapestries, plump vitamin-rich berries, fairytale toadstools...

Credit: 1. Pantone Color Institute 2. Elle 3. Donna Hay 4. UndertakerisEpic 5. Elie Saab 6. Pantone Color Institute

Most of all though, for us the colour Marsala resonates with the hues of autumn. With the southern hemisphere autumn just around the corner, we have a splendid opportunity to welcome and to embrace the rich hues of Marsala, Pantone's colour of the year.

'Ode to Autumn' penned by John Keats in his autumn of 1819, evokes a rich and ripe landscape with tones of Marsala...

Season of mists and mellow fruitlessness!

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;

To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'erbrimmed their clammy cells. 

More recently, Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director at the Pantone Color Institute shared an elegant description of the colour Marsala...

Interesting on its own and a wonderful contrast for other hues, PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala is a winey red-brown that adds finesse and savoir faire. Rich and robust, Marsala incorporates the warmth and richness of a tastefully fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots point to a sophisticated, natural earthiness. [Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director, Pantone Color Institue®]

For an autumn colour palette, we like the idea of contrasting Marsala with the muted blue (18-4726) of a clear blue autumn sky. Add stormy weather grey (18-4214) and perhaps a touch of silver, reminiscent of a shaft of autumn sun striking a morning cloud. Team Marsala with the rich golds (16-1144), oranges (15-1340), dried herbs (17-0627, 16-0110), lavenders (16-3310) and crusty browns of the autumn leaves.

Use Marsala to enhance and enrich. Wear Marsala, decorate with Marsala, paint your toes and lips Marsala, drink and eat food the colour of Marsala. This autumn go ahead and enjoy the endless possibilities of this versatile colour.

- Carole & Gerri