The History of Hot Pink

Lilly Lujan photographed by Sophia Kaczor

By Lilly Lujan

ating back to the mid-1700s, we get D our first glimpse of the ever-popular, blushing, fresh hue of pink. Muted, powdery shades were most common amongst the

European aristocrats and even Louis XV’s infamous mistress, Madame de

Pompadour. A shade of pink porcelain was in turn named after her, dubbed ¨Rose

Pompadour¨. At this point in time, pink was only considered a lighter shade of red, ultimately having a more masculine feel that was popular with boys and younger men. This followed suit through the 1800s. However, during the 20th century society’s interpretation of the color changed. As men in media were depicted in darker colors to reflect their WWll service, women were represented in contrasting, brighter shades to establish a “traditional homemaker” role. This perspective ultimately shifted upon the rise of the 21st century’s most popular “chick-flicks”. In 2001, with the premiere of Legally 11| M Mag

Blonde, audiences across the country were exposed to a powerhouse female lead, Elle Woods. Reese Witherspoon Portrays Elle as a beautiful, college-aged valley girl with a naïve outlook on life. However, as the film progresses, Elle’s character embodies traits not limited to determination, kindness, positivity, and excellence—overall inspiring others to look beyond the superficial opinions made from the first impressions. Her optimistic attitude and bright personality are reflected in her wardrobe throughout the film as she’s primarily dressed in vivid pink.

Another iconic character that supported a signature rosy hue was Sharpay Evans in High School Musical. Her clothing would often reflect the intensity of her attitude, and the central color of her outfits would change from a muted salmon to an intense fuchsia. Ashley Tisdale portrayed Sharpay as a dedicated leader with a prominent aspiration for the spotlight.

Mattel’s Barbie was yet another personality that contributed to an overall more progressive interpretation of the

color pink. Initially, Barbie empowered young girls by normalizing and celebrating “traditionally feminine” aspects of society such as makeup, fashion, and of course, pink. However, this all changed when Mattel launched its first career barbie in1960. Barbie dolls could be seen dressed in nurse, ballerina, flight attendant, fashion designer, or generic “classy career girl” ensembles. This launch inspired girls to stray from aforementioned “traditional homemaker” roles and attain a career, and although those careers were limited, this was just the beginning for the rise of female empowerment. By the early 2000’s, Barbie dolls could be seen in a variety of different outfits that reflected nearly any professional career imaginable. The release of Barbie’s numerous careers coincided with Mattel’s

launch of a new slogan for the doll: “You Can Be Anything.” Thanks to these admirable female leaders, by the late 2000’s the color pink was seen as an unignorable symbol of femininity that represented the progression of women’s roles as dictated by society.

They were no longer disregarded as “homemakers” but were seen and recognized for their brilliant minds. Today, we are accustomed to seeing the color pink being repped by people of all genders as hot pink seems to have taken over the world of fashion by storm. From everyday clothing pieces to accessories, the color seems to be more popular than ever. Considering its flagrant past, it’s refreshing to see the color pink in a hot new light that discriminates to no one.

So, the next time you throw on your favorite hot pink accessory, recall its symbolic reference of progression and pride, and be inspired to make a positive change wherever you see fit.