Earlier this month, many attractive people filled a room in Lower Manhattan. They drank elaborate cocktails and gazed upon Instagram-y art installations and left with a gift bag that contained, among other things, earbuds studded with Swarovski crystals. The vibe was high-end, sophisticated, arty. The guest of honor was a color. Pantone throws a party like this one annually, in conjunction with the announcement of its 'Color of the Year.' For 2026, it's 'Cloud Dancer,' which, the company notes in a press release, 'serves as a symbol of calming influence in a frenetic society rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection.' The color, the release continues, also helps peel 'away layers of outmoded thinking,' 'making room for innovation,' and, of course, reminds us that 'true strength lies not just in doing, but also in being.' (It's white.) The choice was controversial in the banal way that everything is controversial now. Some people noted, pointing to the...
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