From a regular color to a pop culture phenomenon, orange has come a long way. The color that was once only associated with Halloween and traffic cones has now become a style statement. And it's all thanks to the popular Netflix series, "Orange is the New Black."

The show, which premiered in 2013, revolved around the story of a woman who was sent to prison for smuggling drugs. The prison jumpsuits that the inmates wore were in a bright shade of orange, which eventually became synonymous with the show. Fans started referring to the color as "Litchfield orange," after the fictional prison featured in the show.

The popularity of the show translated into the mainstream fashion industry, with clothing brands launching their own line of orange jumpsuits. Fans of the show started wearing orange outfits and accessories, and celebrities too jumped on the bandwagon. It was only a matter of time before the trend caught on.

The journey of orange, however, does not start with the show. The color has always held significance in various cultures and traditions. In Hinduism, the color represents purity and divine energy, and is associated with the sun and the sacral chakra. The Egyptians used orange hues in their wall paintings and sculptures, while the Greeks used it in their pottery.

The use of orange in modern times can be traced back to the Dutch royal family, who made it their official color in the 17th century. The House of Orange-Nassau used the color to represent their loyalty to the Protestant cause during the Eighty Years' War. Since then, orange has become the national color of the Netherlands, and is worn on special occasions like King's Day.

In the world of fashion, orange has always been associated with energy, excitement, and creativity. Designers have used it in their collections to add a pop of color and create a statement. The color has been spotted on runways in various shades, from a bright neon to a subtle rust.

Apart from fashion, orange also has a significant presence in pop culture. The color has been used in various songs, movies, and TV shows, symbolizing different emotions and expressions. In the 1971 film, "A Clockwork Orange," the color represented the violent and dystopian world of the protagonist. In the iconic television show, "Sesame Street," orange was the color of the beloved character, Elmo.

In the world of sports, orange is the chosen color of many teams and athletes. The Dutch national football team, also known as Oranje, wears a bright orange jersey on the field. American basketball player, Michael Jordan, famously wore the Air Jordan 11 Concord in a bright orange colorway.

The color has also made its mark in the world of branding. Companies like Amazon and Firefox use the color orange in their logo to represent creativity, fun, and innovation. Similarly, popular fast-food chain, McDonald's, uses orange in their logo to evoke hunger and excitement.

The journey of orange from a simple color to a cultural phenomenon has been nothing short of exemplary. The color has transcended various industries and cultures, becoming a symbol of creativity, innovation, and energy. And it all started with a simple prison jumpsuit. The color has now become a statement, and the trend does not seem to be going away anytime soon. It’s safe to say that orange is the new black.