Trend forecasting firm WGSN and color specialist Coloro named Digital Lavender the Color of the Year for 2023. The gender-inclusive color represents a heightened awareness of wellness and virtual escapism, bridging both the digital and physical world, says a Sourcing Journal report.
Digital Lavender is already established in the youth and activewear markets—the color featured in Cardi B’s collaboration with Reebok, as well as in loungewear collections by Lululemon and Pangaia—and WGSN anticipates it will broaden into all fashion products. Though vibrant shades of Pink and renewing hues of green were featured prominently in collections, this shift to lavender was evident in Fall/Winter 21-22 collections. Designers like Salvatore Ferragamo, Blumarine, St. John and Susan Fang used the hue for ethereal dresses and cozy knits.
The color’s digital aspectcame to life in F/W 21-22 collections by MSGM, Dion Lee, Charles Jeffrey Loverboy and Feng Chen Wang. MSGM applied the color to unisex garments with glossy, cracked and high-pile textures. Dion Lee and Feng Chen Wang mixed the color with denim, while Charles Jeffrey Loverboy featured the color in boxy suiting, printed leggings and trench coats.
The color’s sensorial qualitymakes it ideal for self-care rituals, healing practices and wellness products. WGSN expects the color to converge across virtual and physical worlds, making it a key hue for consumer electronics, digitized wellness, mood-boosting lighting and homewares.
