Not to be outdone by Pantone’s Radiant Orchid, Sherwin-Williams announced its own Color of the Year: Exclusive Plum (SW 6263), “a sophisticated shade of purplish-gray.”
This color was chosen because people desire a color that can be both masculine and feminine and Exclusive Plum provides this “adult purple.”
Similar to Pantone, Sherwin-Williams chose a color that blends blue and red (with a hint of gray). It is unsure whether Sherwin-Williams’ or Pantone’s choice to blend these two colors is a commentary on our current polarized political climate; however, according to Jackie Jordan, Sherwin-Williams director of color marketing, this color was chosen because people desire a color that can be both masculine and feminine and Exclusive Plum (SW 6263) provides this “adult purple.” According to Jordan, “blue is calming and red is energetic” so this is a blend of the two. “It can be soothing when paired with soft grays and metallic, or it can be more energetic mixed with yellow-based greens and magentas,” she continues.
Sherwin-Williams via K+BB