Each December, the colorphiles at the Pantone Color Institute announce their much-anticipated Color of the Year. It’s a lauded shade declared the most influential on the spectrum and shows itself in everything from the runways of fashion week to home décor. This year’s haute hue, Ultra Violet, suggests the mysteries of the cosmos and the intrigue of what lies ahead in 2018.

This royal hue is often associated with boundary-pushing counterculture and symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity. Music icons Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix brought this shade to the forefront as a means of personal expression heralding a season of individuality.

Ultra Violet communicates originality, ingenuity and visionary thinking. There’s a spiritual quality attached to the color that puts mindfulness front and center in an over-stimulated world.

“The Pantone Color of the Year has come to mean so much more than ‘what’s trending’ in the world of design,” said Laurie Pressman, vice president of Pantone. “It’s truly a reflection of what’s needed in our world today.”

The blending of red and blue that creates Ultra Violet lends itself to unique color combinations. When paired with golds or other metallics the color exudes luxury.

When partnered with greens or grays, Ultra Violet evokes natural elegance.