The Rise of Pink - Pink has been a popular colour for women's fashions for decades. Pink is a staple of make-up and nail polish, the colour of beauty and the first blush of passion. As a result of this popularity, the colour pink has made frequent appearances in pop culture for decades. Ironically, back in the 1930s pink fabrics were more often used for boys than girls (since "red" was associated with being a masculine color.) However, that began to change starting around World War II.
The 1950s saw the rise of pink as a feminine symbol, as women returned from working in factories to working in the home. The booming post-war economy led to a rise in make-up sales and a corresponding association of the colour pink with women. Pink crept into high fashion: there was an "all pink" sequence in the Audrey Hepburn film "Funny Face." The phrase "Think pink" appeared in a musical number in the film and began to be used as a marketing phrase in magazines. The decade! also saw the growing popularity of Barbie dolls, who were often dressed in the colour pink. The 1960s added to the trend with the "Pink Panther" films, which gave an ironic, cheeky twist to the colour. The 1980s gave us the song "Pink Cadillac" and films like "Pretty in Pink." The 2000s saw the rise of the musician Pink, who started her career with a shocking pink hair.
What Started the present Passion for Pink? - The current pink obsession was probably set in motion by the 2001 film "Legally Blond," in which Reese Witherspoon plays a law student who lives in a world of pink and even has a tiny pink-dressed dog. The comedy showed how a human "Barbie doll" could be tough and smart without losing her girlish femininity. Girls everywhere enjoyed the idea of combining intelligence with girly sexiness, and the popularity of pink products rose even further.
Pink Home Decor - Pink began to make its way out of the make-up bag and into a wide range of prod! ucts for decorating the home in pink things. Home decorators c! an now consider using pink not only for cute accent accessories but as the dominant colour for an entire room. For the bed room, the pink lover can find pink sheets, pink blankets, and even a pink shag carpet. For the bathroom, there are now pink toothbrushes and shower curtains to create a fun and pretty colour scheme. Pink kitchen accessories are also now becoming available. Decorators and pink lovers can even find pink kettles and toasters, or a pink microwave oven.
Pink Motoring - Those who love pink do not just want it for the home, however. Pink car accessories are now the rage, with pink flashlights, key chains, and even car mats for pink floors. Travellers heading overseas may decide to purchase pink luggage, which not only makes a statement but is easy to spot at the airport.
A Psychology of Pink - A "pink princess" is the nickname given to women devoted to the colour pink. Pink princesses embrace pink as a whole identity, a personal stat! ement and an outlook on life. Edith Piaf's song "Ma Vie En Rose" translates well for these pink lovers: "My Life in Pink." The colour offers a wonderful combination of associations: on the one hand, pink is soft and flirty, but it is also elegant and fashionable. The growing field of colour psychology makes even more dramatic claims about pink, arguing that the presence of pink even has the power to soothe. Studies suggest that even criminals may behave better when surrounded by the colour pink.
The current obsession with pink may be a short-term trend, but it is also possible that it is part of a rising new view of life. Pink lovers are trying to "see the world through rose-colored glasses," to surround themselves with one more tool for happiness.
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