To celebrate the launch of the 2015 Colour of the Year, color authority Pantone worked with NY-based experience design firm, Sub Rosa, for the photo shoot and campaign for PANTONE 18-1438 Marsala, a naturally robust and earthy red. 

For 15 years, Pantone’s Color of the Year has influenced product development and purchasing decisions in multiple industries, including fashion, home and industrial design, as well as packaging and graphic design. Marsala embodies the satisfying richness of a fulfilling meal, while its grounding red-brown roots emanate a sophisticated, natural earthiness. This hearty, yet stylish tone is universally appealing and translates easily to fashion, beauty, industrial design, home furnishings and interiors. 

To bring the color to life, Sub Rosa was tasked with creating a series of images that were as bold and exciting as the color of the year itself. To do this they created a print and social campaign that makes Marsala the star. The creative team worked closely with Pantone to ensure the tone and energy would drive the mood of an imagined ‘place.’ Sub Rosa organized this story through food, drink, cooking and friends coming together at various stages of an evening meal: appetizers, dinner and dessert. In each vignette, Sub Rosa meticulously planned details to create multiple layers that speak to the broad design audience. As this party moves from appetizers on the deck to dessert by the fireplace, Sub Rosa played into varying elemental associations and feelings that Marsala evokes by appropriately adjusting the character and contents of each ‘room’.