Nike has released a new version of its Air Huarache Ultra sneaker inspired by Pantone's 2018 Color of the Year.
Earlier this month, Ultra Violet was selected as the Pantone Color of the Year, representing "originality, ingenuity, and visionary thinking that points us toward the future." The multicolored women's sneaker with an ultra-light sole and upper details in "Gunsmoke" with "Particle Rose" accents offers a fresh new way for consumers to sport the Nike Air Huarache Ultra style.
Like Nike, adidas also released a sneaker colorway for its AlphaBOUNCE style that is inspired by the purple Ultra Violet color swatch. The color purple boasts deep ties to counterculture, unconventionality and creativity, as evidenced by the love of the color by icons like Prince, David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Colorful Sneaker Collections
- Opportunity for sneaker brands to create collections inspired by Pantone's Color of the Year, offering consumers fresh and unique design options.
- Influencer-inspired Shoe Designs
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for shoe brands to collaborate with influencers and incorporate their personal style into sneaker designs.
- Culturally-inspired Color Palettes
- Potential for brands to explore color palettes that reflect counterculture movements and historical icons, providing consumers with a sense of nostalgia and individuality.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Footwear
- Opportunity for footwear brands to tap into the trend of color-inspired shoe designs and create unique products that cater to consumers seeking individuality in their footwear choices.
- Fashion
- Influencers and cultural icons can lend their personal style and preferences to fashion brands, leading to disruptive innovations in color palettes and designs.
- Marketing and Branding
- Brands can leverage color trends, such as Pantone's Color of the Year, to create marketing campaigns that resonate with consumers seeking to express their individuality and stay current with fashion trends.
