Greenery is Pantone color of the year for 2017

Color forecaster Pantone Color Institute has declared a tangy shade of green as its color of the year for 2017.

Described by the global color authority as "a fresh and zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring when nature's greens revive, restore and renew," the hue called "greenery" or Pantone 15-0343 is expected to appear prominently in fashion, consumer products, interiors and packaging next year.

In an interview with the New York Times, Pantone executive director Leatrice Eiseman said the choice was made in response to a "stressful and tense world".

This is the color of hopefulness and of our connection to nature," she said. "It speaks to what we call the 're-words' – regenerate, refresh, revitalize, renew. Every spring we enter a new cycle and new shoots come from the ground. It is something life-affirming to look forward to."

Pantone added that the shade symbolizes the rising environmental consciousness and desire to protect nature around the world.

In the fashion industry, greenery blends naturally with a wide range of palettes, merging the cool undertones of blues with vibrant yellows.

The recently concluded New York Fashion Week showcased collections adopting the color such as those from Emilio Pucci, Michael Kors and Balenciaga.

Pantone has been choosing a color of the year since 1999. Color forecasters at the company study trends in fashion, consumer products and technology, looking for influences that best describe the society's current mood. They then pick a color that mirrors those elements.

Last year, Pantone picked two soft colors, baby blue and dusty pink, describing the hues as "welcoming colors that fulfill our yearning for reassurance and security."