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 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.

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 Current Pink Obsession? - The real cause of the current pink obsession may be the 2001 film "Legally Blond." In the film, Reese Witherspoon stars as Elle Woods, a law student with a pink-clad Chihuahua who manages to overcome the sexism of her cruel boyfriend and the legal system by pluckiness and a love of the colour pink. The film, which depicts how a woman can simultaneously be intelligent and sexy, was so popular that it was even turned into a Broadway musical. The popularity of pink climbed as women began to embrace the colour as the perfect symbol of modern femininity.

Pink Home Decor - Pink began to make its way out of the make-up bag and into a wide range of products for decorating the home in pink things. Home decorators can now consider using pink not only for cute accent accessories but as the dominant colour for an entire room. For the bed room, the pink lover can find pink sheets, pink blankets, and even a pink shag carpet. For the bathroom, there are now pink toothbrushes and shower curtains to create a fun and pretty colour scheme. Pink kitchen accessories are also now becoming available. Decorators and pink lovers can even find pink kettles and toasters, or a pink microwave oven.

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 rise of pink may be driven by these new psychological explanations. Pink lovers are doing more than just choosing a few fashion accessories. They are hoping to "see the world through rose-colored glasses," to use the power of a positive colour to bring more happiness to their lives.