The choice of color of the year is "a symbolic color selection; a color snapshot of what we see taking place in our culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude," the company, a division of X-rite, said in a news release.

Pantone determines its color of the year after surveying fashionistas and insiders in pop culture, including movies and music. 

(http://edition.cnn.com/2015/12/03/living/pantone-color-of-the-year-serenity-rose-quartz-feat/index.html)