At the peak of a picturesque winding street in Montmartre, sits a famous pink eatery, La Maison Rose. Historically, it was known to be a collective haunt for many a famous artist, including that of Picasso, most probably due to its rosy ‘Peony Pink’ exterior – the symbolic hue of France. Which, incidentally, is the couleur du jour that inspires our Rue de l’Abreuvoir collection. A pink palette collection that sets a mise-en-scène: of the sweet feminine charm and soft romantic sensibilities of a Parisian woman.

When we think pink, it brings a rush of joy, in all its variations. The girlish excitement of receiving a box of Ladurée macarons. The sugar rush of pink bubblegum. The hush and sigh of watching a sea of little dancers at a ballet soirée - fluttering and whirling in their soft pink tutus. The vivid pink of a Barbie dress. Not to mention the sweet, sublime, and surprising swooshes of pink highlighters and blushes that are currently dominating our global beauty trends.  

For, in saying bonjour to Paris’ favourite colour, Peony Pink, enchanté to Dusty Rose and bienvenue to Raspberry, we are unknowingly echoing ‘La Vie En Rose’ into our lives. A colour that surprisingly, only just bore its popularity in France - in the 18th century.

The L’histoire of Pink 

The l’histoire of pink was originally coined by an unnamed Greek botanist, who used this word to describe ‘the colourful ruffled edges of a carnation flower’. It then went on to enter the fashion realm in the 18th century, when it became a popular colour in aristocratic Europe due to its pioneer-esque, Madame De Pompadour, King Louis XV’s mistress. A lover of roses, she often wore pink as a way to cement her wealth and her status in French society, even having a specific pink shade, Rose Pompadour, named after her by French porcelain company, Sèvres. So, for centuries, pink was a colour strictly reserved for the wealthy. Even better? Aristocratic men loved wearing pink as well, judging by their portraits taken at the time. Their penchant for a jabot – otherwise known as a linen shirt with decorative cuffs; a cravat; and pink breeches, coats, waistcoats, and frilly shirts, certainly never went astray. Making pink an overarching gender-bending colour – even by the standards of today’s fashion elite.

By the 19th century, pink also became de rigueur for interior decorators, and so in vogue, that it made an appearance in many Impressionist paintings – especially in one made famous in 1864 by Frédéric Bazille, called ‘The Pink Dress’, depicting a woman as being delicate, as well as in Edgar Degas’ famous 1834 painting entitled ‘Dancers in Pink’, featuring would-be ballerinas in positively pink tutus.

By the early 20th century, pink turned à la mode thanks to surrealist fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli, who donned the packaging of her perfume a new shade of Shocking Pink - magenta mixed with a pop of white. Declaring, ‘I gave to pink the nerve of the red, a neon pink, an unreal pink.’

And how unreal it has turned out to be. 

By the 1950’s, pink had become the official féminin colour in Western society. It also made its way in high fashion circles, with designers such as Dior, Givenchy (with Audrey Hepburn as his muse!) creating gorgeous pink gowns fueling romance and unapologetic joie, while Chanel’s pink tweed suit became an iconic look in 1960’s Paris.

Since then, the soft hue of Peony pink has stood the test of time. Discover how pink can positively influence your fashion savoir-faire, with our Rue de l’Abreuvoir outfits, accessories and shoes. To keep you feeling young-at-heart - no matter your fashion style!

Dress Yourself With a Touché of Pink…

And there you have it, mes chéries. A run-down of all things pink, and how it continues to infuse our senses with romantique joy. Just as it did for Madame Pompadour well over three centuries ago, who preferred to paint her world with a touch of pink glory – to bring out the sweetness in us all.