During Michaelmas term, I celebrated Jeremy Scott’s efflorescent SS18 collection, the standout piece being Taylor Hill in a purple tulip-shaped dress. Several months later and the colour is taking the world, both of fashion and otherwise, in its deep and transformative storm. Pantone, the colour institute, which announces yearly a colour to represent the current creative, political and social zeitgeist, have revealed Ultra Violet as their choice for 2018. The executive director of the institute emphasised the “inventiveness and imagination” which the blue-based purple tone represents.

The shade speaks loudly politically, being a colour associated with the Suffragettes and more recent women’s movements. Its boundary-pushing potential is possibly also similarly reflective of the way in which the fashion industry has pushed both creative and political boundaries in the past year, something that is likely to increase.

“Think less Daphne from Scooby Doo, and more Rihanna fearlessly rocking a Molly Goddard dress with a pair of beat-up trainers”

The colour has certainly been utilised creatively by the fashion industry, and was central during Fashion Month from Paris to London, New York to Milan. The fashion industry thrives off fantasy and Alessandro Michele’s Gucci collection for SS18 was as wonderfully innovative as it was characteristic of his modern-meets-retro, self-aware designs which have revived Gucci in recent years. Michele chose a violet palette, with the catwalk itself being a bluish purple shade. The look of the show was certainly a bold purple dress, covering the model from head to foot. Light bounced off the glitter-embellished material of the dress, adding to the aura of cosmos which surrounds Pantone’s choice.

As with many looks on the runway, it can often feel a little daunting to think about how to incorporate the artistic ingenuity of fashion creatives into your everyday style. However, Ultra Violet is much more wearable than you might initially think. Think less Daphne from Scooby Doo, and more Rihanna fearlessly rocking a Molly Goddard dress with a pair of beat-up trainers. The boldness of Ultra Violet represents “the mysteries of the cosmos”, providing infinite opportunities to stand out. If you’re feeling braver, let the colour speak for itself and take centre-stage in an outfit. This deep purple could be the season’s new red, a staple way to make a bold statement – and who isn’t down for a minimum effort stand-out look?

Sustainable Californian brand, The Reformation, have recently released their gorgeous dresses in purple hues, as have Australian-brand, Réalisation Par. While both companies’ pieces are on the pricier side, high-street stores such as Urban Outfitters have been recreating the styles which are popular on Instagram. So, keep your eyes out for easy daytime dresses for a classic West-coast-cool take on the Ultra Violet trend for Spring and Summer.

Incorporating the enigmatic violet shade through accessories creates a chic accent to an outfit. Nike’s purple-toned Air Force 1s fulfil all my dreams: perfectly merging the colour with the ‘ugly trainer’ trend, creating a look which I can’t get enough of.

Ultra Violet also offers a galaxy of options for beauty lovers too. The Maybelline Color Tattoo in ‘Endless Purple’ is a wonderful take on the shade, a creamy shadow that’s easy to work with. Or, try Buxom’s lip glosses in ‘Purple Haze’ or ‘Jane’; worn with minimal makeup they are the perfect sheer way to rock the colour of the year.

For me, Ultra Violet also encapsulates the movement towards a less-gendered fashion industry (and society). 2017 has seen a movement of the fashion industry towards a more inclusive and androgynous creative space, one which will continue into the new year. That purple is the amalgamation of both pink and blue, two colours which have traditionally epitomised binary gender distinctions, seems prescient to me.

Ultra Violet’s prevalence on the runway is perhaps reflective of the potential and opportunity for social change, of which fashion has, and hopefully always will be, at the forefront. The complexity, depth and mystery of the colour is a unique shade for a unique year. It perhaps symbolises creativity, artistic ingenuity, non-conformity, hope and possibility, all values which embody a creative industry at its best. Here’s to hoping Ultra Violet truly is “light[ing] the way to what is yet to come”, both artistically and politically