Power of Pink

Colors carry layers of cultural meaning and evoke powerful emotional responses. That’s especially true for pink, perhaps because its meaning has shifted so dramatically. Prior to the mid-20th century, pink was for boys and blue for girls. Pink being a light shade of red, retained its association with red as being more robust and dominant, while blue was considered more modest and complaisant.

If color is gendered, then pink is the rare hue that’s been embraced as both masculine and feminine. Pink is a color that is seen and heard. There is a shade for everyone. The meaning is personal. Pink may be youthful or matronly, ethereal or empowering, innocent or provocative, and romantic or rebellious.

Members of the Milliners Guild celebrated the many facets of pink and designed hats for a range of occasions, from everyday fedoras for a city stroll to feathered fascinators for Kentucky Oaks to shimmering headpieces for the red carpet. There is a hat for everyone.