The world-renowned colour authority, Pantone, has for the first time, nominated two colours as it's Pantone Colour of the Year for 2016.

The baby pink and purpley-blue tones - dubbed Rose Quartz and Serenity -  provide a softer take on color for 2016.

According to Pantone, as consumers seek mindfulness and well-being as an antidote to modern day stresses, welcoming colors that psychologically fulfill the yearning for reassurance and security are becoming more prominent. Joined together, Rose Quartz and Serenity demonstrate an inherent balance between a warmer embracing rose tone and the cooler tranquil blue, reflecting connection and wellness as well as a soothing sense of order and peace.

The prevalent combination of Rose Quartz and Serenity also challenges traditional perceptions of colour association.

In many parts of the world, people are experiencing a gender blur as it relates to fashion, which has in turn impacted color trends throughout all other areas of design.

This more unilateral approach to color is coinciding with societal movements toward gender equality and fluidity, the consumer's increased comfort with using color as a form of expression, a generation that has less concern about being typecast or judged and an open exchange of digital information that has opened our eyes to different approaches to color usage.