Crayola’s Colour Comeback: A Nostalgic Revival of Fan-Favourite Shades

For the first time in over 120 years, Crayola is bringing back eight retired crayon colours, reviving shades that sparked childhood creativity and artistic expression for generations. From the beloved Dandelion (retired in 2017) to the vibrant Blizzard Blue, Magic Mint, and Mulberry, this limited-time collection offers a nostalgic trip down memory lane while introducing a new generation to these classic hues.

We sat down with Margot Somerville, Director of Product, Marketing & Communications at Crayola Canada, to chat about why now was the perfect time for this colourful comeback, the emotional connection people have with these shades, and how Crayola continues to inspire creativity across generations. —Noa Nichol

This is the first time in Crayola’s history that retired crayon colours are making a comeback. What sparked the decision to bring back these nostalgic shades now, and how did you choose which ones to revive?

Over the years, many of our fans have asked us to bring back some of their retired favourites, especially since we retired Dandelion in 2017.  This is the 25^th anniversary of our first ever Crayola Colour Census, so we thought there was no better way to celebrate colour than to bring back, for a limited time, eight fan-favourite colours and inspire even more creative moments for our fans.  We chose these specific eight colours to give a nod to our first iconic eight crayon box.  These colours also help increase our colour palette and are just a really nice surprise and delight for our consumers.

Dandelion’s retirement in 2017 made international headlines and caused a wave of fan reactions. Were you surprised by the level of attachment people have to certain crayon colours, and what was the most memorable response you received?

Not at all.  People are very passionate about their favourite colours! We know that colour is such a personal thing and people have a real personal connection to colour and it plays such a pivotal role in inspiring one’s creativity.  We have one Crayola fan who has been asking us almost every day for the past year when we will bring Dandelion back, that’s a commitment to colour!

Colour is deeply tied to creativity and childhood memories. How do you think these revived shades will inspire both kids and adults, and what role does nostalgia play in the way we experience colour?

Colour has such a personal connection for kids and adults. It can convey moods and influence people’s choices.  Colour can take a person back to a favourite childhood memory or to an important event, a moment or a positive experience for them.  Bringing back colours from as far back as the 90s can connect people to those memories and can help people who are seeing these colours for the first time a chance to create a new memory.

Beyond crayons, Crayola is also launching Limited Edition markers and coloured pencils. Are there any other exciting partnerships or creative projects planned to celebrate the return of these iconic colours throughout 2025?

Yes. To amplify the year-long celebration, Crayola is partnering with key licensees who will offer custom programs and products inspired by the Limited Edition colours. Some of the participating partners include Lee, and Joe Fresh, in addition to a host of other lifestyle, fashion and beauty brands. 

As someone who has been a part of Crayola’s journey, what does this moment mean for the brand, and do you think we’ll see more ‘retired’ colours make a return in the future?  

At Crayola, we celebrate the enduring value of childhood creativity to help kids reach their full potential.   Right now, we’re focusing on our Limited Edition launch and we encourage all our fans to pick up a pack while supplies last!  We hope that by bringing excitement around unretiring these fan-favourite colours, Crayola will inspire even more creative moments for our fans.