LP Post #4: Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color.

 

While at the Museum of FIT I found myself drawn to the “Shocking Pink “silk chiffon gown by Elsa Schiaparelli. Through this garment Schiaparelli used the color pink as a way to draw attention to whomever was wearing the dress and show their elegance through both this color and style of dress. As stated by Vogue, “If Elsa Schiaparelli is remembered at all outside the world of fashion, it is usually for her signature hue of shocking pink” (Talbot, Lindsay. “Elsa Schiaparelli’s Enduring Influence on Beauty.” Vogue. February 01, 2017)- this quote alone adding to the reasoning of why the Museum of FIT included Schiaparelli to their Pink exhibition. When thinking about the color pink it can be seen as a feminine color, but in 2003 when rapper Cam’ron went out wearing pink fur it began to become a masculine color again. It is people like Cam’ron and Schiaparelli who have shown the world the power behind the color pink. By Schiaparelli calling her pink a shocking pink she is showing the world just how intense, powerful, and moving this color can be- but also the elegance behind it. While Schiaparelli was known for more than just her use of Shocking Pink it is stated that, “but of all the colors, shocking pink seemed the most apt symbol for the designer’s approach to life. “Dare to be different,” she advised women in an interview 20 years ago” (Greenhouse, Linda. “Schiaparelli Dies in Paris; Brought Color to Fashion.” The New York Times. November 15, 1973)- this adding to why Schiaparelli’s designs were needed in this exhibition.

Schiaparelli Paris, silk Shocking Pink chiffon gown, Fall 2015–2016, lent by Maison Schiaparelli .

 

 

Work Cited:

Talbot, Lindsay. “Elsa Schiaparelli’s Enduring Influence on Beauty.” Vogue. February 01, 2017. Accessed November 18, 2018. https://www.vogue.com/article/elsa-schiaparellis-enduring-influence-on-beauty.

Greenhouse, Linda. “Schiaparelli Dies in Paris; Brought Color to Fashion.” The New York Times. November 15, 1973. Accessed November 18, 2018. https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/15/archives/schiaparelli-dies-in-paris-brought-color-to-fashion-schiaparelli.html.