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Saturday, August 8, 2009

A Passion for Pink Stuff

/ On : 1:45 AM

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By Ian Tyrrell

In the last few years, there has been a new colour invading high fashion and personal accessories: the colour pink. Pink lovers are finding new ways to incorporate their favourite colour, using pink as a fashion statement that seems to represent a whole outlook on life, even become an obsession. How did this trend start?

The story of Pink - Surprisingly, prior to World War II, the colour pink was more often associated with baby boys than girls. Red was viewed as a masculine colour, and baby boys were expected to wear the diluted colour red. Baby girls were often dressed in blue! However, things began to change starting sometime after the second World War, and pink began the rise to feminine dominance that would continue for decades.

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 Accessories - As pink's popularity has risen, a wide range of products for home decor are now available in the colour pink. Pink lovers can now use pink not only as an accent colour but as the colour scheme for entire rooms. Home decorators can now find pink sheets and blankets for the bedroom, and pink toothbrushes and shower curtains to create a bathroom that resembles a spa. Pink kitchen accessories are growing in popularity, too. There are now pink kettles and toasters for cooking, and even a pink microwave oven on the market.

Pink on the Road - Pink lovers are starting to bring their passion to their travels as well. Pink car accessories are now available, ranging from car mats to key chains. A pink steering wheel cover allows drivers to make a statement. Travellers by rail or air also have a chance to accessorize: elegant pink luggage is easy to pick out from at the airport carousel.

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 statement 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. - 24553

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