Farhan Akhtar and Shraddha Kapoor unveil AkzoNobel's Monarch Gold as Colour of the Year 2016

AkzoNobel, the leading global paints and coatings company and the makers of Dulux paints in India, presented Monarch Gold as the Colour of the Year for 2016. As part of the 13th edition of AkzoNobel’s annual global study, ColourFuturesTM, Farhan Akhtar and Shraddha Kapoor, brand ambassadors of Dulux in India, unveiled the colour trend and its overriding theme: Looking both ways in a colour walk.

Developed by the company’s Global Aesthetic Center in collaboration with leading design and colour experts from around the world, ColourFuturesTM 2016 is inspired by contrasting opinions, with ‘looking both ways’ being the driving influence. This year, we find ourselves at a unique crossroads where we can see the advantage of both tradition and modern innovation, where the importance of weighing opposite opinions and views has never been stronger. Monarch Gold also weaves in beautifully with India’s affinity towards gold that is deeply engraved in the country’s culture, architecture and heritage.

This year’s research witnessed the use of gold and gold tones everywhere in the design world. It is a recurring colour at design fairs, graphic design and in architecture, fashion, beauty and interior decoration. Gold is also identified as the colour that connects with the overall trend of 2016: Looking both ways. Monarch Gold exemplifies this theme of duality – being bright enough to attract attention while also subtly referring to the past and the colour of the earth. It also combines well with other tones. The colour is the ‘golden hour’ of dark and light; it is the gold that appears in the paintings of both old masters (heritage) and modern artists (future). It exemplifies the fusion of our past, present and future.

Speaking at the launch, Jeremy Rowe, Managing Director, Decorative Paints, South East & South Asia, Middle East, AkzoNobel, observed, “Colour is a wonderful medium to express oneself and create a personal style. It is also a social barometer of people’s moods and sentiments. Through ColourFutures™ we strive to make the everyday extraordinary and hope to use the transformative power of colour to improve and energise the urban community more than ever before. The world is viewing India with a lot of optimism and confidence and, for AkzoNobel, India continues to be a high growth market.”

Sharing his insights for the business in India, Rajiv Rajgopal, Director, Decorative Paints, AkzoNobel India, said, “In 2015, Dulux has launched innovative paint products such as Dulux Velvet Touch Diamond Glo, with the dazzling glow and strength of a diamond; Weathershield Powerflexx, with rainproof properties and Super Cover with its colours of the world. These innovations have successfully appealed to not only the aesthetic sense of our consumers but also catered to the need of protecting the walls of their homes. In our endeavour to invigorate deeper into trends, AkzoNobel ColourFutures™ is our global colour trend guide that is aimed at inspiring everyone when decorating a space.”

Farhan Akhtar, Actor, Director, Singer and Brand Ambassador, Dulux, said, “Dulux has been a pioneer in styling décor and guiding consumers on using colour to express their personal style. Owing to the brand’s international lineage, it is well positioned in introducing global trends to India. I am excited to see how the Colour of the Year, Monarch Gold and the thought-provoking overriding theme – Looking both ways – translates into our everyday lives through architecture, design home decoration and even fashion.”

Shraddha Kapoor, Actor, Singer, Designer, Dancer and Brand Ambassador, Dulux, said, “I’m delighted to be on board with Dulux and excited by the ColourFutures™ study that showcases colour trends for the next year. Monarch Gold permeates perfectly into the new generation of consumers as it resonates a modern outlook yet retains the traditional element.”

ColourFutures™ is AkzoNobel’s way of sharing colour knowledge with people around the world, so that everyone can be inspired and benefit from the impact colour can have on lives. Drawing insights from a multitude of influences from fine art to technology, design to nature, architecture to fashion, and music to popular culture, ColourFutures™ continues to chart out the colour trends and forecasts of what people are veering towards.