‘NOW, I wouldn’t presume to tell a woman/What a woman oughtta think/But tell her if she’s gotta think, think pink!”
Playing a fashion editor, Kay Thompson performed this kinetic number in the classic 1957 film, Funny Face, extolling the color pink. Her character, Maggie Prescott, was said to be inspired by Harper’s Bazaar editors Carmel Snow and Diana Vreeland. The rousing scene featured the era’s most photographed models, Suzy Parker and Sunny Harnett, as dancers/interns.
Funny Face stars Fred Astaire as Dick Avery (a photographer inspired by Richard Avedon) and Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton (a reluctant model inspired by Parker). Another future legendary mannequin, Dovima, played a ditzy model.
The Stanley Donen film has several fashion vignettes shot around Paris that are still being referenced by designers today. But the George and Ira Gershwin song, “Think Pink,” resonates particularly well this year. On the runways. On red carpets. And in the run-up to the 2022 elections.
“Think pink! Think pink! when you shop for summer clothes/Think pink! Think pink! if you want that quel-que chose/Red is dead, blue is through/Green’s obscene, brown’s taboo/And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce/Or chartreuse!”
IN THE PINK OF HEALTH
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The advocacy is symbolized by the pink ribbon, created in 1992 by Evelyn H. Lauder of the cosmetics giant Estée Lauder and Alexandra Penney, then editor of Self magazine. That year, Mrs. Lauder launched The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Awareness (BCA) Campaign, which supports lifesaving research, education and medical services in its mission to create a breast cancer-free world. She also created the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The campaign is a clever marketing move rooted in a noble cause.
This year, the brands under The Estée Lauder Companies are pledging their support to the BCRF. Donna Karan Cosmetics on behalf of DKNY will donate $25,000. Jo Malone London will donate $100,000. Too Faced will donate $30,000. Smashbox will donate $10,000. And Tom Ford Beauty will donate $60,000.
The Pink Ribbon Pin Limited Edition Collectible costs $12.50. “It is a ubiquitous sign now throughout the world to say we care about breast cancer and we care about you,” spokesmodel Elizabeth Hurley said during the 25th anniversary of the campaign in 2017. “Evelyn said to me, ‘I never got a copyright on the pink ribbon. I wanted it to be used and picked up by everybody.’”
PINK AS PROTEST
Women in the US adopted pink as the color of activism during their national elections in 2020. Some prominent women wore pink power suits made by clothing brand Argent in collaboration with Supermajority, a gender equality advocacy group set up by members of Planned Parenthood, Black Lives Matter and the National Domestic Workers alliance which encourages women to vote and be proactive in politics. Hollywood heavyweights Kerry Washington, Amy Schumer, America Ferrera and Zoe Saldana posted photos of themselves on Instagram wearing the bold outfits.
“In 2020 pink has become the ‘color disruptor’—the color of change for so many around the world,” Andrew Burnstine, associate professor at Lynn University, explained to The Guardian. “To the millions of people who are demanding change in our political system, and to American democracy, the color pink is the new battle-cry.”
At last week’s lead-up to the filing of certificates of candidacy, disgruntled citizens and local celebrities unknowingly replicated this phenomenon. Social-media platforms exploded in pink. A movement so organic it sparks hope for our Inang Bayan.
TICKLED PINK
THE red carpet is slowly coming back to life, adhering to Covid safety protocols. The Oscars, however, had a pink spread, with Vanessa Kirby in a blush pink Gucci gown and Cartier jewelry parading on it. The Grammys was graced by Dua Lipa in an Atelier Versace twinkling crystal mesh and pink panties, and the Emmys by Angela Bassett in Greta Constantine black gown with a giant fuchsia frill.
At the Met Gala, Carey Mulligan wore a Valentino Haute Couture bright pink bustier gown with matching cape. At the Venice Film Festival, Anya Taylor-Joy splashed in a hot pink satin Dior haute couture dress with a matching netted fascinator. At the Cannes Film Festival, Tilda Swinton in Haider Ackermann was weird and wonderful in a cropped, pink satin bolero blazer, an orange floor-length skirt and sequinned green sleeves.
On the pageant front, Miss Universe Philippines 2021 had a debutante in Marinduque’s Simone Nadine Bornilla, who was pretty in pink in Oliver Tolentino.
“Love Brings Love,” a tribute to the beloved Israeli designer Alber Elbaz who died of Covid-19 on April 24, was the closing show at Paris Fashion Week Spring 2022. It presented pieces from 45 designers inspired by Elbaz’s creations. His team at AZ Factory, which includes Fil-Brit Norman Rene’ de Vera as design director, also showed 25 looks to celebrate “his talent, personality, and design legacy.”
Lovely pink in all its hints and permutations were seen on the runway courtesy of Alaïa’s Pieter Mulier, Balenciaga’s Demna Gvasalia, Balmain’s Olivier Rousteing Christian Dior’s Maria Grazia Chiuri, Christopher John Rogers, Guo Pei, Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière, Rick Owens, Saint Laurent’s Anthony Vaccarello, Simone Rocha, Valentino’s Pierpaolo Piccioli, Donatella Versace, Viktor & Rolf and Y/Project’s Glenn Martens.
“Alber’s fashion family came together to show the love,” AZ Factory said, “a testament to how many he has touched with his friendship, creative genius, kindness, humor, inspiration and LOVE.”