Mocha Mousse is officially the new black!

Well, I said it. Mocha Mousse is the Color of 2025 year and we are going to love it, wear it, mix it with a lot of neutrals or bright colours, we are going to expose it anywhere – from romantic dates, office meetings to family dinners. And, because the color has something from strong coffee and sweet deserts in its shade, we will pair it with… some delicious wines. Yep, we invite you at Cluj-Napoca Ro-Wine event, 22-23 March. Put your favorite Mocha Mousse outfit on and see you there! 

But… why Mocha Mousse? 

Let’s recap! Connection. Comfort. Harmony. Calm. Basically, Mocha Mousse reminds us of the beauty in simplicity and the grounding power of nature. Maybe it was the perfect time for this shade to be chosen as The Pantone Color of the Year 2025; after so many dramas and turmoils seen in the 2024 society we need more than ever a connection to the earth. Inspired by swirling coffee hues and the creamy texture of a hot chocolate mousse, this soft, creamy brown shade embodies both harmony and stability and understated luxury, a new updated version of the quiet luxury. Or a Scandinavian-inspired “hygge” aesthetic, if you prefer so. 

Acne Studios, Armani, Balmain

A little bit of history of Pantone Colour of the Year…

Maybe you thought that this “color of the year” trend is as old as Pantone company. It is not! While the story of Pantone begun in the 1960s at a commercial printing company in New York (born from the need of organizing and naming all the shades asked by the clients), the Colour of the Year concept is relatively new. 

The Pantone System, also known as Pantone Matching System (PMS), was created by Lawrence Herbert in 1963, a young employee of a printing company who realised how difficult it was to obtain effective results in colour printing and was driven to create a standardized colour system, still functioning today.

On the other hand, the Pantone Colour Institute created the Pantone Colour of the Year educational program only in 1999 – and its purpose was to engage the design community and colour enthusiasts around the world in a conversation around colour. And the whole history of this trend has started with Cerulean Blue – official colour of the millennium, the colour of the sky on a serene, crystal clear day that connotes restful, peaceful and relaxing times. Since then, we had years that looked like more fuchsia and red and yellow, green brat, true blue, tangerine or magenta, but also two colours combined (in 2021 Illuminating and Ultimate Grey / Rose Quartz and Serenity in 2016). 

How the shade that will determine our wardrobe and interior designs for a year is chosen? For the Pantone Colour of the Year selection process, colour experts at the Pantone Colour Institute are looking for new colour influences, from the entertainment industry to fashion, travel destinations and socio-economic conditions. Influences can also stem from new technologies, materials, textures, social media platforms and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention. The selection process is covered in mystery. According to Wikipedia, the company hosts “a secret meeting” in an unnamed European capital, from which the colour is selected after two days’ of intense debate. Well, let’s thank them now for this year easy ready-to-wear colour both in fashion but interior design. 

Chloé, Dries Van Noten, Loro Piana

For 2025 spring/summer fashion catwalks are full of chocolate & earthy tones… 

Brown, chestnut, mocha, caramel, cinnamon, leather, wood, chocolate, hazelnut, coffee – and the list could continue for…  at least other 200 shades of earthy tones. Always modern and timeless at the same time – brown cozy outfits represent some wardrobe essentials for those seeking an alternative to the usual neutrals og beige and creamy sand. A deep, sophisticated brown with just the right touch of warmth, Mocha Mousse was, for the fashionista of 2025, like the sartorial equivalent of a chocolate pudding – soft, delicious, rich and chic. There is no wonder that everybody on the fashion scene, from classics Hermès, Bottega Veneta or Loewe to modern Miu Miu or JW Anderson were embracing rapidly the new shade. And I am not talking only about bags and shoes and other accessories. 

According to leading fashion designers and brands, Mocha Mousse works perfectly for maxi dresses (as romantic versions by Jason Wu or Loro Piana). We also see the new trend color in silky materials at Loewe, Dries van Noten, Carolina Herrera and Balmain and jacquard fabrics such as at Etro, Sarawong and Asiyam. Furthermore, we see mocha brown in fashion with retro vibes from Prada, Emporio Armani and Etro and in leather shoes and accessories from JW Anderson, Miu Miu, Acne Studios, Giuseppe Zanotti, Prada, Pollini and Zimmerman. 

Mocha Mousse isn’t just a favorite among fashion’s elite, though. On the streets, the hue is making its presence known in a big way: influencers, editors, and buyers are sporting brown knits, tailored coats, and leather bags, proving that brown is far from basic. 

Miu Miu, Max Mara, Prada

The best shades to mix it with are…

The beauty of this color is its versatility – it adds depth to a minimalist look or gives a luxe twist to something more casual. Therefore, you can mix it with everything – from neutral tones (beige creamy white and camel) as seen at Stella McCartney to pink hues (see Prada or Ferragamo catwalk), from gold and olive as seen at Dries van Noten to white and burgundy at Tory Burch, with orange as in Acne or blue as at Miu Miu. Or you can wear it full block colour – as we see in Loro Piana or Max Mara. Of course, you can pair with a lot of golden accessories (from earrings to big cuffs), with yellow sunglasses and chocolate-colored bags. 

Hermès, Jason Wu, Loewe

Stella McCartney, Zimmermann, Tory Burch

5 #RomanianDesigners Mocha Mousse outfits & the wines to pair them 

A Mocha Mousse outfit, as calm & neutral as it looks can be worn at every occasion (yes, like I said in the beginning, to a wine tasting). Therefore, I looked for nice Romanian Designer pieces for some cool outfits and… a wine pairing, with a hint of chocolate or coffee on the way. 

1. For an after-office meeting with some partners – a cool suit, comfortable ankle boots and some lovely gold details – Tohani Wine Chocolate. Marius Mușat wool top & pants. Alura ankle boots. Maestoso bag. Bon Bijou tarot card earrings. 

2. For a weekend getaway with the girls – comfortable boots, midi skirt, cozy sweaters and some delicate jewellery – Domeniile Averești, Fetească Neagră. Ipanomi skirt. Ami Amali knitted sweater. Western boots Laura Olaru. Loor necklace. 

3. For a relaxed dinner with family – silky dress and flat shoes, plus a warm jacket for the moments on the terrace. Crama Gîrboiu Constantin Premium Red Blend. Framboise silk dress. Larisa Dragna jacket. Smiling Shoes flats. Optimef bag. 

4. For a wine tasting in a museum – cool & arty with loose pants, flat shoes and some interesting details – Crama Gîrboiu Bacanta Fetească Neagră Barrique. Irina Schrotter pants. Bluzat jacket. Anna Cori leather loafers. Mihaela Glăvan bag. 

5. For a romantic date on a cold terrace – high heels and sunglasses, but make them with a sporty twist – Crama Budureasca – Fetească Neagră 2018. Nissa pants. Hamza hoodie. Musette stilettos. Nerv sunglasses. 

Photography: pixabay.com, Facebook pages of the brands.