We were promised a periwinkle takeover, designers have pushed daffodil shades and Bottega green has made wardrobe inroads, but pink refuses to budge as spring’s statement colour.
US content creator Emma Chamberlain appears in pieces from Italian luxury label Valentino’s all-pink collection on the cover of Vogue Australia’s September issue and street style looks at Copenhagen Fashion Week this month were dominated by pink. On the plastic back of Barbiecore, the tireless trend continues on clothing racks in Australia.
Still in the pink. Copenhagen Fashion Week street style looks, August 11, Denmark.Credit: Getty
“Millennial Pink emerged in early 2014 when it featured in the collections of designers like Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs and Gucci, plus in a couple of films, most notably Wes Anderson’s Grand Budapest Hotel,” says colour consultant Zena O’Connor. “Since then, pink has continued to feature in fashion design, homewares, accessories.”
For Anna Hoang, designer of Australian womenswear label Anna Quan, pink appeals to basic instincts.
Content creator Emma Chamberlain in Valentino on the cover of Vogue Australia’s September issue.Credit: Ned Rogers/Supplied
“Australians love a bright colour, and the appeal of pink is universal,” says Hoang. “It’s ultra-feminine, and it can be seamlessly styled with neutral tones.”
Quan has strategically included pink pieces in Anna Quan’s spring collection, preferring to see the colour as a slow fashion staple, alongside blacks and neutrals.
“I don’t like to consciously follow trends, as our design philosophy is centred on creating seasonless, enduring pieces. For our most recent collection, we incorporated a millennial pink. Neutral tones are safe and timeless, but considered pops of colour will always elevate, and add interest and intrigue to a wardrobe.”
Pink’s popularity has been credited to shoppers’ appetite for dopamine dressing. Originally, it was a post-lockdown colour hit, but now pink delivers an optimistic clothing salve in a time of economic uncertainty.
“Fashion is always about dopamine,” says Genevieve Smart, creative director of womenswear label Ginger and Smart. “We select fashion based on our mood and how we want people to see us and pink is a highly emotive colour and has always had that ability to take one’s breath away.”
“Pink is the ultimate colour of femininity and it is wonderful that we are seeing men wear the colour. I believe the reason we are seeing a bold pink continue in fashion is that it makes people happy and says a lot about the wearer’s mood.”
Paul Burden, head of design at menswear brand Politix, is backing the male embrace of pink with tailored and relaxed pieces in the coming season.
“We have seen it getting stronger and stronger over the past two seasons,” Burden says. “Pink’s popularity is part of the move away from gender stereotyping and has been picked up by men who are confident in the way they express themselves to the world.”
“Limiting men’s palette to grey and navy is a dated concept. With full attendance expected for Spring Carnival racing this year and weddings back in action, men are gravitating towards pink for event dressing.”
While Burden supports an all-in approach, Hoang suggests mixing pink pieces with neutrals for those coming on board with the colour belatedly.
“Someone who believes that they can’t ‘pull off’ millennial pink, can often do so by bridging the pink piece with a contrasting tertiary colour,” Hoang says. “This will anchor the look to accommodate and inclusion of pink. For example, pairing a little pink top with a relaxed, beige long pant.”
The trend is also continuing in beauty, with hair colourists still fielding requests for pink treatments, alongside the usual blonde touch-ups. Leading Sydney hairdresser Renya Xydis, who has styled Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett, has been rocking fairy floss waves for a decade.
“There have been occasional attempts at blue and orange hair but pink is the one that sticks,” Xydis says. “It’s flattering to most skin types but be warned because the upkeep is serious.”
“Pink is no longer a fad. Pink is normal.”
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.