Pantone’s Color of the Year announcement is often greeted with curiosity and derision – in part because so many of the color choices seem so, well, basics: classic blue in 2020, ultra violet (purple) in 2018, emerald (green) in 2013, all from their existing shade inventory.

This year, however, for the first time in 23 years, color experts in the design world have created an all-new color suitable for a world in transition: Very Peri, a warm shade of periwinkle blue with a purple-red undertone.

As in previous years, the color of the year was chosen based on more than design trends. “It expresses the mood of consumers and captures the collective mood of the world,” Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, explained to Zoom. “But it’s also about psychology: the emotion that goes with it. How to capture what we are currently experiencing? It is a complex color, a dynamic color. This is what makes the color so interesting. It’s a stimulating mix.

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, sees color as a futuristic version of blue. “It’s a daring curiosity,” she said. “It’s a curious color. It helps us embrace this altered landscape.

Eiseman and Pressman both said the new color expresses what people are feeling right now: curiosity and enthusiasm for an uncertain future. “We know where we were a year ago,” Pressman said. “We’re in a much better place now. But it is still a very unusual time. We have all reframed our social and cultural values ​​and rewritten our lives. The past two years have accelerated the challenges we face. There is excitement in looking to the future.

New this year is the focus on digital technology, which has accelerated dramatically during the pandemic as games and virtual reality have taken off and the metaverse has grown in popularity. “We are now used to seeing beautiful images in a movie,” Pressman added. “People look at the world with different eyes. People dare to explore. Curiosity is absolutely what is needed during this time.

Granted, there have been years when I, too, rolled my eyes at the annual Color of the Year announcement. But in a year when variants of the coronavirus emerged as many of us got vaccinated and started to venture out into the world again, it was delicious to meet such a warm and full of color. ‘hope. (I felt the same nostalgic pleasure when I recently spotted Linda McCartney’s blue eyeshadow in Peter Jackson’s epic Beatles documentary, “Get Back”). I can’t wait to see the upbeat hue of everything from clothes and makeup to sofas and bikes in the future. “This suggests that there are better days to come,” Eiseman said. I hope she is right.

Following the enthusiastic response to our Los Angeles Store Vacation Buying Guide – a roundup of stores where you can shop for gifts in person – I went looking for Very Peri vacation gifts that are Available Locally in LA It was not easy to find the exact same Pantone shade, but I have found items in stock that are in the same color family and spirit.

Jonathan Adler tic-tac-toe set

Guaranteed to brighten up a room while keeping out-of-town guests busy on vacation, Jonathan Adler’s modern take of the pencil and paper game features turquoise and purple game pieces on a thick slab of clear acrylic. $ 183.75. 8125 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, jonathanadler.com

Clare V color coated chain necklace.

Los Angeles designer Clare V.’s new jewelry collection features a 16 inch purple color coated chain necklace designed to pair with various charms. Necklace, $ 45. Charms range from $ 55 to $ 95. Stores in Silver Lake, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Lido Village. clarev.com

Greenwood Shop Taper Candles

Classic anti-drip taper candles are irresistible (if you have kids who love to play with wax then you know what I’m talking about), especially when you can choose from the rainbow of bright colors in stock at Greenwood Shop. Although store owner Jaime Curtis says Rust is the current bestseller, look for the periwinkle pair to gain popularity following today’s announcement. $ 10 for a set of two. 12063 Place Ventura, Studio City, greenwood-shop.com

Heath Ceramics Single Stem Vase

Glazed in Dusk – a limited edition glaze from the Winter Seasonal collection by Heath Ceramics – this single button vase stands almost 7 inches high is a beautiful accessory alone or adorned with flowers. $ 116. 7525 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, heathceramics.com

Arbor Collective Skateboard

Designed by Polish American professional skateboarder Amelia Brodka, the Baba Yaga Deck 8.0 skateboard features a durable maple deck with graphics that pay homage to the legend of the Slavic witch Baba Yaga. $ 54.95. 102, boulevard Washington, Venice, arborcollective.com

Kneeland Co. Rarity ikat napkins

Dress up your table with these distinctive hand-woven double-sided ikat napkins by Gregory Parkinson. Ikat on one side, hand printed on the other, the napkins are 100% cotton and come in a variety of designs – perfect for holiday dining. Sold in sets of six. $ 220. 4767 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles, genoulandco.com

Late afternoon scarf

Who can resist a gift called “Snuggle Monster”? Functional, comfortable and stylish, the Late Sunday Afternoon thermal knit scarf is handcrafted in Venice using locally sourced fabric. $ 160. 1920 Lincoln Boulevard, Venice, tardivesundayafternoon.com

Midland Big Sur Beanie

Keeping your head warm while looking stylish can be a challenge, but the Thistle Cotton Big Sur Unisex Beanie manages to do both. $ 65. Stores in Silver Lake and Culver City. shop-midland.com

Poketo Non-Toxic Nail Polish Set

Holidays can be stressful, but the Georgia Nail Polish Set by Poketo gives you the opportunity to sit back, relax, and enjoy a manicure at home. You can also relax knowing that the vegan product is 10-free, which means it doesn’t contain any toxic ingredients. $ 48 for the set or $ 18 for just Georgia Lilac. Stores in Row DTLA and Little Tokyo. poketo.com

Staud Eloise Cardigan

Everyone loves a cozy cardigan, especially one this colorful. Boxy and cropped, this periwinkle sweater from Los Angeles-based brand Staud has a youthful vibe that rivals its wonderful shade of blue. $ 315. Available at nordstrom.com.

Low vans

The Vans Unisex Old Skool Sneakers in Chalk Purple and White aren’t just lovely for their whimsical color scheme; it also features the iconic side stripe created by Vans co-founder Paul Van Doren. $ 49.95. Various stores across Los Angeles. vans.com