Happy Tuesday! This week’s color is a deep denim blue pulled straight from dye vats, textiles, and centuries of global craft. Also the perfect color to start off December and the winter months ahead. Let’s talk about indigo.
Psychology
A deep and grounded blue, indigo communicates stability, while its violet undertone introduces introspection and a contemplative, almost meditative quality. It’s not loud, yet it holds presence and confidence.
Brief History
Indigo has one of the most global histories of any dye. It appears across civilizations, with each culture developing its own techniques.
India was one of the oldest centers of indigo production, and was the first nation to turn it into an international trade.
In fact, the name indigo comes from the words “indicum” (Latin) and “indikon” (Greek), both meaning “from India”.
And in Japan, the art of aizome (indigo dyeing) gave us everything from shibori textiles to samurai garments treated with indigo. The dye was even believed to have antibacterial properties.
Across West Africa, traditions from the Yoruba, Dogon, and other groups produced indigo textiles that became aesthetic staples as well as important cultural and ceremonial pieces.
By the time indigo reached Europe and the Americas, it became so valuable that it earned the nickname “blue gold.”
The Traditional Dye Process
Traditional indigo dyeing was, and still is, incredibly labor-intensive. Even today, with advanced equipment, the process remains burdensome.
Because the dye was both time-consuming to produce and highly sought-after, indigo fabrics were expensive and therefore most accessible to the elite. This made it a sign of affluence in many cultures.
Before synthetic dyes, the plant was soaked in a basic solution to ferment and then the liquid was drained and stirred quickly to add air. This allowed for blue sediment to settle at the bottom so it could be dried into blocks and sold.
Denim
Another famous legacy of indigo’s is denim, of course. The original workwear fabric relied on the dye for its durability, deep tone, and the way it aged beautifully over time.
Not to mention, it’s the powerful enough to not need a mordant (a substance that helps fix the dye onto fabric).
Indigo’s heritage feel and timeless depth continue to keep the shade more relevant than ever across in interiors, fashion, branding, and design in general today. Speaking of which, let’s get into some applications.
Fashion
Dsquared2 Spring 2026 Ready-to-Wear
In Dsquared2’s Spring 2026 RTW collection, the shade shows up in a rugged, textured denim-on-denim moment with its depth amplifying the brand’s signature utilitarian edge.
Carolina Herrera Fall 2025 Ready-to-Wear
In Carolina Herrera’s Fall 2025 collection, indigo appears as a couture-leaning blue across clean tailoring, sequined texture, and bold oversized floral forms. Versatile, going from classic to avant-garde.
Interior Design
When it comes to interior design, indigo is rather serene, holding space without overwhelming it.
In the built-in library nook (first pic), indigo reads polished and architectural with the high-gloss paneling paired with a velvet chaise that deepen the room’s sense of calm and sophistication.
And in the plastered bathroom, the deep blue takes on a softer, more organic character. I also love how the orange-brown sink functions as a gorgeous pop of color.
Going back to Japanese aizome — in this space you can see how layered indigo-dyed patterns, collage-like motifs, and textile-driven surfaces create an interior that feels both artisanal and richly atmospheric.
Branding
In branding, indigo is trustworthy but not corporate, handcrafted, elevated, boutique, and heritage-inspired.
It works best in industries such as denim and textiles, boutique hospitality, skincare brands, coffee shops, ceramics studios, lifestyle goods, and sustainable brands that lean into craftsmanship.
Courrèges
Courrèges, for example, uses indigo as a crisp, modern contrast against white and orange, giving their packaging and graphics a bold, contemporary edge.
Pantone® & More
If you’re looking for a similar deep blue shade to work with, I recommend “Midnight Sapphire” PANTONE 19-3941 TSX. I’ve also included HEX, RGB, and CMYK color data below, as always.
HEX: #26428B
RGB: 38, 66, 139
CMYK: 73, 53, 0, 45
As per usual, thanks for reading! Hopefully you learned something new about indigo! If you enjoyed reading, please give this post a like so I know what you guys want to see more of :)
And tell me, which color should I feature next? See you next Tuesday!