The 2014 Pantone Color of the Year, radiant orchid, was selected in December and has since influenced fashion choices around the world.

The color of the year is considered to be an influential part of the fashion industry by stylists, designers and boutique owners, including those in Ames.

Incorporated into clothing, shoes, handbags, paintings and home decor, the color of the year is chosen annually by Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of six books on color.

“While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, radiant orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” Eiseman said in a news release.

In order to find the color of the year, Pantone combs the world looking for color influences. This includes the entertainment industry, traveling art collections, technology, textures that affect color and even upcoming sporting events that capture worldwide attention, such as the 2014 Winter Olympics.

Radiant orchid is a harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones that Pantone says inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.

“An invitation to innovation, radiant orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society,” Eiseman said.

Radiant orchid can be found this spring in boutiques throughout Ames. Both Ayden Lee Boutique and Portobello Road take the Pantone color of the year into account when planning their upcoming stock.

Tia-Michelle Ricklefs, owner of Ayden Lee, said the color of the year influences what she brings into the store.

“Two weeks ago we decided radiant orchid would be our main theme color for decor for our Bliss Fashion Show; however, we picked it before the color was announced as color of the year,” Ricklefs said.

Ricklefs said she chose radiant orchid because of the mixed hues.

“We just loved that it pulled from the purple family. Plum was a big trend this winter and radiant purple had more of a pink hue which we liked for a spring show,” Ricklefs said. “It will also be a color that I will bring in for accessories and clothing because of the ‘it’ factor. People want what is new and trendy and I strive to provide that.”

Talia Jensen, owner of Portobello Road, also takes the color of the year into account. Jensen said she considers the color when deciding her new stock, but she also thinks about what she likes and what she believes her customers will enjoy.

Jensen said she believes this color will be a big hit with consumers — not only on the runways, but in Ames as well.

“I’m excited about this year’s color. It is a fresh, new take on ‘pink.’ I like that it is feminine and romantic. It’ll be a nice mix with all the edgier looks that have been around,” Jensen said. “I think the color came at the right time, with the past years being more bold colors, this is a nice change.”

Past colors of the year include emerald, tangerine tango, honeysuckle and mimosa.

Eiseman and others at Pantone have already begun researching for the next color of the year, which will be release in early December 2014.

“Year after year the color is decided by a lot of people noticing small trends in the present, past and future,” Jensen said. “Then putting them together to create something people didn’t even know they wanted. It’s pretty crazy.”