Xerox: How Metallic Reflects the Zeitgeist

Throughout the year, Xerox has explored the unique origin story of different colors (or non-colors), encouraging us all to think more deeply about colors around us – Is a tennis ball green or yellow? … Is clear really a color? Xerox’ latest iteration of the color series explores metallics and how they’ve been expressed across industries over the years.

From shiny car tailfins during the 1950s space race to the jewelry of hip-hop artists in the 1980s and 1990s, metallic colors have long influenced and reflected the spirit of the times. Today, gold and silver have spilled over to the mainstream, seen everywhere from metallic leather sneakers to rose gold smartphones.