Rhubarb and Custard

Hard to believe, but the humble Drumstick lollipop and its psychedelic jacket predates Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Unwrapped, you’ll recall that this corner shop treat is made from two of the most hotly debated hues in contemporary fashion: Millennial Pink and Gen Z Yellow.

By the middle of last year every fashion trend piece, shopping guide and Instagram account had turned pink. A catch-all colour, ‘Millennial Pink’ was adopted as the uniform of everything: The Women’s March, teenagers’ hair, Harry Styles, cocktails, KitchenAids, gym gear, rappers and bathmats. The rose tint that has bathed fashion, design, food and interiors goes beyond a trend just picked out a random by forecasters. Pink wasn’t discussed in art until the Renaissance (painter Cennino Cennini described pink as a blend between Venetian Red and St. John’s White) and not widely used in fashion until the 18^th Century, when it was popularised by proto-influencer Madame De Pompadour (who had her own shade of pink designed by Sevres porcelain.) In 19^th Century England, red was for dad and pink was for his son. In Japan pink was the colour of young male soldiers slain in battle. Pink for girls didn’t really kick in until after WWII.  

It’s the gendering of pink that lit the fuse causing its current explosion. ‘Millennial’ pink is about celebrating softness, sensitivity and vulnerability – for all genders. The mysterious ‘Millennial’ includes everybody born from 1980 onwards, but pink doesn’t stop at 40 and adding a flush to your wardrobe works for all ages. Our Daisy in pink Nappa offers the perfect pop of pink, working beautifully against a grey suit, complimenting nudes, gently clashing with mustard, navy or red.

So what about the new kid on the colour block this year – ‘Gen Z Yellow’? It sounds a bit of an unwelcome sequel, but according to the creative agency Dffrntwrld, ‘Gen Z’ are apparently future focused realists with digital expertise who like to communicate with imagery. Although you might have to throw caution to the wind before rocking hazmat yellow, it’s less frightening than the crime scene tape would suggest. If Snapchat yellow (or for those of you less app inclined – the yellow of a double line on a pavement) feels a little too acidic for you tastes, then opt for soft butter tones, or somewhere between mustard and marigold. Our Dahlia tote in yellow is a grown-up, mellow take on the trend and a fresh, modern update on creams and beiges. Yellow works extremely well with neutrals, and looks contemporary and crisp worn with white. Paired with black, it might feel a little bumblebee so opt for navy or slate. Also, don’t be afraid of mixing different tones of yellow – like a brighter, more yolky hued leather sandal with the Dahlia, or mismatch your tote with a lemon linen summer dress or jacket. Rhubarb and custard … no longer just for school dinners or the sweetie jar.