A Passion for Pink Stuff
A popular new trend has began to appear in the world of high fashion and home decorating: the use of the colour pink. What began as a fashion statement has become a personal obsession, as pink lovers discover new ways to use pink in every aspect of their daily lives. The history of pink provides interesting insight into the rising popularity of the colour pink.
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.
During the booming post-war economy of the 1950s, women were finding their way back out of the factories and into the home. The stronger economy led to a rise in the sale of consumer goods and make-up. As women began to purchase pink nail polish and blushes (where pink symbolized health and vitality), pink began to become more heavily associated with women. The phrase "think pink" began to appear in sales to women after appearing as a song in the 1957 film "Funny Face," starring 1950s icon Audrey Hepburn. At the same time, the Barbie doll was introduced, and capitalized on the rising pink associations. Later, in the 1960s, pink was used as an ironic way to undercut masculinity, as in the "Pink Panther" film. Pink continued its rise as a cheeky, feminine symbol in songs like "Pink Cadillac" and "Pretty in Pink" in the 1980s. In 2000, a new singer with hot pink hair even arrived on the scene, going by the name Pink.
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.
The True Pink Lover - There is even a nickname for the true pink lover: a "pink princess." Pink princesses are women who like to enjoy an entire array of pink stuff. For these women, pink can be a whole identity, even a personal statement. These women embrace the two sides of the colour pink: on the one hand, softness, flirtation, and beauty, and on the other hand, elegance and high fashion. Colour psychologists even claim that pink can be a soothing colour. Some studies have shown that violent criminals may behave less violently if they are surrounded by pink walls.
The rising pink trend may prove to be about more than a fashion. It may be about pink lovers adopting a new outlook on life. There is a reason for the phrase "seeing the world through rose colored glasses." Surrounding people with pink may actually make them happier.
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