Pantone recently released their 2015 Colors of the Year, declaring Marsala, Lucite Green, Classic Blue, Toasted Almond, Strawberry Ice, Tangerine, Custard, Glacier Gray, Dusk Blue, Treetop, Woodbine, Sandstone, Titanium, and Lavender Herb as part of the Colors of the Year group.

Colors are taking a turn towards the softer and more subtle shades this year as we gear towards natural toned colors from nature. Soft hues and muted pastels command the runways this season as we head into warmer months.

Marsala, a toasty and rustic wine color takes center stage as the official color of the year, is already inspiring multiple decisions on the runway. Designers choosing to use Marsala have been Christian Dior, in a Dior satin overcoat, Calvin Klein in a CK leather dress and matching shoes, Christopher Kane in pants, suits, shoes, and dresses, and Louis Vuitton in a cool leather mini skirt.

The collection has a vast variety and no shade is similar to the next, creating an elaborate field for design this year.

The Marsala shade is reminiscent of a deep fall color, the others take a more spring related theme. Glacier Gray, my personal favorite, is a cold (pun intended) and calming shade of gray. The shade falls into the background allowing other colors to take center of the stage, kindling eye-catching color combinations.

Each shade takes a particular direction, yet opinions on the collection are vague. Those that do express their opinion are more often than not responding negatively, associating Marsala negatively with food. “If Pantone chooses colors of the year as a predictor of what the next months will bring, then 2015 isn’t looking so rosy,” Tanya Basu of the Atlantic Monthly, said.