Pretty in garish pink

There are a lot of ‘Year of’ things around, for example 2011 is the ancient Chinese year of the Rabbit and the UN’s International Year of Forests. But did you know that Pantone, the gatekeepers of colour purity, have announced (drum roll please) that Honeysuckle is the official colour of 2011!?

“Honeysuckle derives its positive qualities from a powerful bond to its mother color red, the most physical, viscerally alive hue in the spectrum.”
Holy crap that’s deep man

Which is perhaps the most preposterous yet fabulous thing I have ever heard.

In addition to paint, the perky/pukie shade has already been rolled out into Visa cards and wedding dresses.

Pantone believes Honeysuckle “elevates our psyche beyond escape, instilling the confidence, courage and spirit to meet the exhaustive challenges that have become part of everyday life.” Which is a tall order for a  spectrum of light hitting your eyes.

How does one obtain these dizzying heights of euphoria? Do you smear it on like war paint across you cheeks, wear it in some sort of protective undergarment, put a lock of Honeysuckle fur under your pillow as you dream sweet, sweet Honeysuckle dreams? Something that powerful surely needs to be free-based, how is PANTONE® 18-2120 even legal?

For those curious souls out there who felt a little blue last year, blame it on the 2010 colour of the year Turquoise (PANTONE® 15-5519), which was meant to heal in stressful times (well it didn’t friggin work for me).

How will you Honeysuckle your 2011? I’m thinking 80s prom style froufrou dress, with extra taffeta.