There's a pink for everyone
Sophie Lombardi
Pink is arguably the most divisive colour. Love it or hate it, our feelings about pink have almost certainly been informed by industry, marketing and politics. Colour Psychologist Kate Smith declares that pink takes all the passion and energy from red and tempers it with the purity of white leaving us with the ‘colour of tenderness and affection’. There have even been examples where prison cells have been painted pink to reduce aggression amongst inmates. However many of my customers and friends tread cautiously when using this soft and calming colour, it is often perceived as too feminine and folks are frightened of turning their home into a saccharine pink pony club.
Duvet Covers and Pillowcases in Gelato Linen. Quilt and Pillowcase made from Liberty fabric ‘Annabella”
Red is considered an enduring symbol of power associated with bravery and robustness. The colour flourished in the 16th century, when cochineal – a vivid and intense dye – was introduced to Europe from Mexico (Victoria and Albert Museum). Pink, as a shade of red, was worn freely by fashionable men. This sentiment continued as demonstrated by a survey from ‘Time Magazine’ (1927) which claimed that pink was considered more suitable for men and boys due to it’s relationship with red, a strong colour of blood, fire and rubies. Blue on the other hand was seen as a gentler colour, more suited to girls.
In the UK, pink was not associated with femininity until the 1940’s. After the Second World War, there was a drive to get women back into the home and out of the workforce. Campaigns to promote the idea of the ‘traditional housewife’ included women wearing frilly aprons in pastel colours, whilst the men wore neutral tones similar to the uniforms they wore in WW2. During this time, pink also became associated with the LGBT community : The Nazi’s used a pink triangle to identify homosexuals and the symbol was then adopted by gay rights campaigners in the 1970’s. Pink was no longer a colour that was associated with traditional masculinity.
Duvet Cover and Pillowcase made from Poppy and Daisy Pink. Valance and ruffle pillowcase in Wimbledon Linen.
Marketing has definitely contributed to our feelings about pink. Despite a move towards gender neutral products, toy shops are still filled with hot pink everything aimed at girls. Personally, I am not a huge fan of flamingo pink unless it is used sparingly with lots of neutral colours. There are masses of variation of the colour and these can be seen in our collections at Poppy and Honesty. Our Gelato linen includes a delicate rosewater pink accompanied by sage green. Liberty of London fabric ‘Poppy and Daisy Pink’ includes dusty pink flowers off set by dark green leaves. At the brighter end of the spectrum Liberty of London’s ‘Mitsi Valeria’ is used on the reverse of one of our quilts. I would probably use this candy pink as an accent colour in a room full of softer tones.
Green sits opposite pink on the colour wheel and they work well together particularly if they contain the same strength in tone. If you are facing backlash from partners and children on your choice of pink, you might like to remind them that the French Army wore pink uniforms in WW1 and that Jay Gatsby rocked a pink suit.
