How Are The Season's Hottest Colors Determined?

Did you ever wonder how the season's "hottest colors" are chosen?

In the printing industry, PANTONE is the global authority on color and provider of professional design standards.

PANTONE 's Fashion Color Palette for 2013 (Emerald being their Color of the Year)

In almost every other area of design, the colors are actually decided two years in advance by The Color Association of the United States (CAUS). 

The CAUS was established in 1915 when the department-store concept was developing. A group of textile manufactures recognized the need  to direct trends so manufacturers were able to produce large quantities of common textiles. 

Every year, the panel members meet bringing with them examples of colors that seem to speak to or resonate with them. Then, the whole panel reviews and decides the outcome... The colors WE see as the popular colors of the season.

Since it's inception, CAUS  has grown to make up five categories: 

1. women’s fashion
2. menswear
3. youth fashion
4. interiors/environment
5. beauty

So, there you have it.