What the Color Experts Behind Pantone Wear to Work

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Pantone has been the world's foremost color authority for nearly five decades. Its Color of the Year announcements induce an annual shopping frenzy that trickles all the way down to Sephora collaborations, and its expansive catalog of shades is used for interior decorating inspiration on the pages of Dwell and Elle Decor—and in the aisles of Home Depot.

The company's headquarters are in New Jersey, just a quick train ride from New York City. After the jump, see what Pantone's color experts wear to work, which hues they like to mix and match, and how they're all incorporating Marsala into their wardrobes.

Kimberly Tippet, Product Development Manager, is wearing a J.Crew top, jeans, and earrings, an Aritzia sweater, a Gerard Yosca necklace, and Naturalizer boots.

What's your all-time favorite color? 
Teal! Maybe it's because I'm a product of the '80s, but I love all versions of this blue-green color. I think it's super versatile and seasonless.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
Pantone 19-4005 Stretch Limo would have to be the winner. You can't go wrong with black, even if you work for a color company.

What are your beauty must-haves?
I keep it simple during the week, so my must-haves are Nars tinted moisturizer with SPF and Bobbi Brown concealer. I'm on a never-ending search for the perfect mascara.

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear?
I'm very tall, so it's a rare occasion that I'll wear attention-getting bright colors. When I do, I try to layer with less expected neutrals to give it a more updated feel. I'm more inclined to wear brights as an accent or accessory. I do have a neon coral cardigan that I love—it makes everyone's complexion look good.

How do you avoid color of the year leaks?
I don't tell anyone! Not even my husband and he also works at Pantone. I love all the guessing that goes on and having this valuable piece of information all locked down.

What colors should you never wear together?
I don't think there are any. Depending on what the pieces are, and the print and silhouette, and the confidence of the wearer, anything can go.

Laurie Pressman, VP of Pantone Color Institute, is wearing an MM6 by Maison Martin Margiela dress, an Adrienne Landau fur collar, Melissa shoes, Wolford stockings, and a Michele watch.

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear?
I don't have one. I like to experiment, and what may appeal to me in one season (warm red with blue-infused purple) may not interest me at all six months later. The beauty of working in color is that you see it as a way to express yourself, so what I wear and the colors I use together are usually a reflection of how I'm feeling on that day.

What's your all-time favorite color?
Growing up, my mother always called me a purple, so I have a predilection toward that color family. 

What are your beauty must-haves?
Lancôme ebony kohl pencil, Lancôme IImanance bronze tinted cream, Tom Ford Violet Fatale and Scarlet Rouge lipstick, and The Body Shop lip butter.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
As someone who is continually traveling, I do wear black a lot, so I would have to say PANTONE 19-4205 Phantom.

What color looks best on everyone?
Blue is the most universally loved color, and mostly everyone looks good in some shade of it.

What colors should you never wear together?
There are no rules anymore. I would encourage everyone to explore and experiment with color and just have fun!

Who's your professional role model?
My mother. Growing up I was the only one of my friends whose mother worked. At the time, I didn't like it, but looking back, I see her ability to balance a high-level professional role with her role as a wife and mother as a wonderful role model for a young girl.  

Molly McDermott Walsh, PR & Communications Manager, is wearing an ASOS dress and boots, Emilio Cavallini tights, a Saako Design necklace, an RSW watch, an antique bracelet, and wedding rings.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
I'm obviously biased, but I'm rocking more and more Pantone 18-1438 Marsala. From accessories (isn't this necklace amazing?!) to sweaters to shoes to bags, I'm really digging the versatility of this color. It can go glam or boho earthy, depending on how you wear it.

What's been your favorite Pantone color of the year?
17-5641 Emerald in 2013! I joined Pantone in late 2012, so the launch of 2013's Color of the Year was my first time being on the inside. As someone who had looked forward to this announcement each year in my previous position, it was absolutely thrilling to know before everyone and then be a part of the exciting launch.

What are your beauty must-haves?
I was a tomboy growing up, and never properly learned how to apply makeup. Cue Sephora and their new Marsala Cooling Multi-Stick from the Sephora + Pantone Universe collection, which is tomboy-proof. Just enough sheer color to make my Irish/German skin look fresh!

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear? I tried to resist the neon trend that started last year, but gave in and purchased a bright yellow, neon teal, and faux diamond statement necklace that makes me smile every time I wear it. Even against an outfit of all black, it's like a spot of sunshine.

How do you avoid color of the year leaks?
Between the day of finding out the next color and the day we announce is probably the most stressful time of my career. I won't tell my husband or any of my friends, which gets increasingly tough as the days tick by. Pantone does work with select brands in advance of the announcement, under NDA of course, and had to start enacting secret code words so that eavesdroppers don't know the exact color!

What's your all-time favorite color? 
I've always been drawn to greens, from 13-6110 Mist Green to 17-5641 Emerald to 18-0135 Treetop. But now that I'm a part of the Pantone team, and have read so many of our books on color, I realize I like green because I need it in my fast-paced, high-stress PR job! "Physiologically, green affects the nervous system, causing us to breathe slowly and deeply, helping the heart to relax by slowing the production of stress hormones." That's from Leatrice Eiseman in Color: Messages & Meanings.

Nora Khanna, Product Development Manager, is wearing a Banana Republic shirt, 7 for All Mankind jeans, an Eddie Bauer jacket, J.Crew jewelry, and Franco Sarto boots.

What's been your favorite Pantone color of the year?
Absolutely hands down Emerald. I love everything about the color; it's very elegant and versatile and looks great on everyone.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
I have a lot of navy blue in my wardrobe, so Pantone 19-3939 Blueprint. It's my easy go-to color.

What are your beauty must-haves?
Black eyeliner and mascara. I have been wearing this combo for over 20 years, without it feeling too boring and plain.

What's your all-time favorite color? 
Pantone Tango Red 19-1761.

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear?
I love to wear white with a nice deep shade of yellow. White pants with a yellow top, and I have a really cute pair of flat shoes that just ties it all together.

Karen Lantelme, Director of Creative Marketing, is wearing a Halston Heritage blouse, an Elie Tahari jacket, Tory Burch pants, Via Spiga boots, Kate Spade earrings, and an heirloom and wedding ring.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
17-5641 Emerald: earrings, sweaters, scarf, ballet flats, even a handbag.

What's your all-time favorite color? 
Pantone 18-2043 Raspberry Sorbet.

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear?
Bright pink and apple green—wear a blouse and sweater with dark boot-cut jeans or white skinny jeans, and a classic navy blazer when needed.

What's been your favorite Pantone color of the year?
Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango from 2012.

What are your beauty must-haves?
Lancôme La Base Pro Primer and Trish McEvoy Correct and Brighten Concealer.

How do you avoid color of the year leaks?
It's very difficult to keep this a secret. Only a select group of people know it during the planning phase. Any partner we give it to must sign an NDA first. Even then, we're nervous of it getting out before launch.

What was your first job?
At a small ad agency in Michigan, drawing car parts!

Who's your professional role model?
A mixture of good bosses in the past, especially the women.

Kevin Minott, Social Media Manager, is wearing a Nautica sweatshirt, Kenneth Cole Jeans, Clarks Shoes, and a Guess watch.

What's your all-time favorite color?
Navy blue.

Which Pantone color have you integrated into your wardrobe the most?
This year's Marsala.

What's your favorite bright color combo to wear?
Burnt orange and blue. I usually wear it as a cashmere sweater and blue jeans.

What was your first job?
I worked as a cashier at a dry cleaner in high school. You would be shocked how many people never come back for their clothes.

Who's your professional role model?
Over the years I've learned a lot from Sean Gardner. He's a keynote speaker, and author of The Road to Social Media Success.