Here’s the top trending color for 2022

December 10, 2021 Merryn Johns 3 min read

Pantone has announced Very Peri as the Color of the Year, and it’s very gay.

Lavender. Violet. Periwinkle. Shades of purple in general have signified queerness throughout history. Violets and their hue became a special code used by lesbians and bisexual women to signify Sapphic tendencies, in no small part because the symbolism of the flower derives from fragments of poems by Sappho in which she describes a female lover wearing garlands of violets. Violets as a symbol of lesbian love entered the mainstream in 1926, when Édouard Bourdet’s play The Captive depicted a female character sending another woman a violet bouquet. When the play caused a censorship scandal, some women chose to wear violets to show their support.

In early 20th Century America, gay men were referred to colloquially as having a “dash of lavender.” During the 1950s McCarthy era, president Eisenhower signed Executive Order 10450, which became part of a national witch-hunt known as the “Lavender Scare” to root out homosexuals from federal government positions. And in the 1960s, gay women were often excluded from the feminist movement, and branded the “Lavender Menace,” as though their involvement would sink an entire movement rather than strengthen it.

But in 1969, the color was adopted to signify gay liberation and empowerment. Lavender sashes and armbands were worn by hundreds in a “gay power” march from Washington Square Park to Stonewall Inn in New York, to commemorate the Stonewall rebellion that had occurred a month prior. Purple has always been the International Women’s Day color. And here at Queer Forty it is our signature color.

So we were very pleased to hear the Pantone Colour of the Year 2022 is an entirely new color: Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri. The combination of violet red undertones and blues represents the transformation of the physical and digital world. This transformation has emerged following lockdowns and isolations which has meant the digital world has taken a new place in our lives. Pantone 17-3938 Very Peri is described by Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, as conveying a “spritely, joyous attitude and dynamic presence that encourages courageous creativity and imaginative expressions”.

Here are a few products from around the world in Very Peri that might make great gifts for the queer in your life.

Pictured (from top left):

http://www.artylicious.co.uk Cute Unicorn quote print, frame not included.

http://www.takatomo.de Multitone purple mixed shopping basket made from recycled vegan materials.

http://www.tsaixtsai.com This pair of eye-catching drop earrings feature round, perfect pearl-size gemstones that line up neatly on two Sterling silver earrings with 15 gemstones each side.

http://desenio.com/ AMOUR neon sign poster. Add some bright colors to your living space for a fun flair! This style is great for a modern living room or bedroom!

http://www.dogrobes.co.uk/ Treat yourself and your dog with a purple dog robe / towel to protect surroundings from wet shake offs. They are great for after outdoor adventures and bath times.

http://www.limelace.co.uk The super cool and quirky ‘Lick Me’ Round Birchwood Tray it’s guaranteed to bring a touch of kitsch style to afternoon tea or evening drinks & nibbles!

http://www.satara.com.au The Astro arm chair features a galvanized and powder-coated steel frame with a continuous flow of handwoven cord creating a comfortable but intricate looking design.

http://www.limelace.co.uk Hand rolled Amor Vinctus Omnia Silk Scarf by Santorus is a great accessory for any occasion and also makes for a thoughtful and creative gift.